Five for Friday It's Morgan Freeman Week! Also: Tubas and Crafts November 30, 2006 • Tubas, a craft contest, romance comics and a pair of Morgan Freeman gems — what better way to usher in December?
Movies Down Year for Oscars Widens Field of Contenders November 30, 2006 • The 2006 awards year has been disappointing, with only one or two films becoming blockbusters. In Hollywood, advertising reps for both major trade publications bemoan the drop in studios' Oscar campaigns. But as in nature, Hollywood hates a vacuum: Movies that would normally not be considered Oscar-caliber are filling the awards gap with campaigns of their own. Down Year for Oscars Widens Field of Contenders Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6561795/6561796" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Down Year for Oscars Widens Field of Contenders Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6561795/6561796" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Art & Design Auschwitz Prisoner Fights to Recover Her Paintings November 30, 2006 • In 1944, the notorious Nazi Josef Mengele ordered Dina Babbitt to paint portraits of Gypsy prisoners at Auschwitz concentration camp. Babbitt, 83, is trying to recover the works, which are in the museum at the site of the camp. Auschwitz Prisoner Fights to Recover Her Paintings Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6561181/6561337" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Auschwitz Prisoner Fights to Recover Her Paintings Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6561181/6561337" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Review Song Of The Day A Three-Minute Blast of Rock and Electronics November 30, 2006 • Aaron Behrens and Thomas Turner, who perform as Ghostland Observatory, play electronica with the ferocity of great rock 'n' roll. The Austin duo's music presents a beguiling synthesis of new-wave-influenced bands like The Rapture and the progressive dance-floor musings of Daft Punk. 'Sad Sad City' by Ghostland Observatory Toggle more options Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6555020/6555027" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
'Sad Sad City' by Ghostland Observatory Toggle more options Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6555020/6555027" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Danny DeVito's Eclectic Taste Fresh Air November 30, 2006 • Actor, producer and director Danny DeVito was first known for his role as Louie on the TV comedy Taxi. He directed War of the Roses, Hoffa and Death to Smoochy, and produced Erin Brockovich and Pulp Fiction. DeVito is now starring in Deck the Halls. Danny DeVito's Eclectic Taste Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6559910/6559911" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Danny DeVito's Eclectic Taste Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6559910/6559911" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Review Music Reviews 'Love' the Beatles Remix Fresh Air November 30, 2006 • The Beatles' original producer George Martin worked on a Fab Four soundtrack to a Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas show, which remixed and combined various Beatle songs. Now, Martin and his son Giles have released a modified soundtrack of that production, an album called Love. 'Love' the Beatles Remix Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6559913/6559914" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Movies Timeless Holiday Movies November 30, 2006 • Murray Horwitz and listeners give their picks for the "Best Holiday Movies of All Time." Timeless Holiday Movies Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6560428/6560429" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Timeless Holiday Movies Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6560428/6560429" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Race Comedian Paul Mooney November 30, 2006 • Comedian Paul Mooney talks about his recent decision to abolish the "n-word" from his comedy routine. Comedian Paul Mooney Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6560434/6560435" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Comedian Paul Mooney Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6560434/6560435" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Race When the 'N' Word Is Part of a Routine November 30, 2006 • Michael Richards aside, many comics, musicians and artists make use of the 'N' word in their work. Now the Rev. Jesse Jackson wants to ban its use. How do performers decide when it's appropriate? Hip-hop icon KRS-ONE and comedy legend Paul Mooney offer their thoughts. When the 'N' Word Is Part of a Routine Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6560171/6560172" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
When the 'N' Word Is Part of a Routine Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6560171/6560172" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Review Song Of The Day Broken Harmonies That Lurk in the Shadows November 29, 2006 • Adam Baker's hushed voice and muted acoustic guitar both help to maintain a back-to-nature vibe, but soon enough, the North Carolina band's pastoral mood turns to surreal instrumentation. 'Brother' by Annuals Toggle more options Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6552063/6552085" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
'Brother' by Annuals Toggle more options Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6552063/6552085" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Shadow Classics Christian Pop Gets Metaphysical — and Tuneful November 29, 2006 • Before Sam Phillips made noir-pop records like Fan Dance, she made impeccably attired, slightly high-strung art-pop (see Martinis and Bikinis) that happily walked in the shadow of The Beatles. And before that, she was Leslie Phillips, purveyor of compelling Christian pop.
Review Music Reviews Ethel: A String Quartet with an Entirely New Sound November 29, 2006 • What kind of group can combine hip-hop-style samples with other unique musical elements, including one song with vocals from a parrot? Ethel, the innovative string quartet, uses this musical mix on Light, their latest CD. Ethel: A String Quartet with an Entirely New Sound Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6554694/6554695" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Ethel: A String Quartet with an Entirely New Sound Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6554694/6554695" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Music My Brother, the Rock Star in Nepal November 28, 2006 • One of the most popular recording artists in Nepal is Gajab Bahadur Gurung Lama, which translates in English to "strange and wonderful thing." But the artist is also known as Josh Brody, an American guy who learned the language by singing traditional Nepali folk songs. My Brother, the Rock Star in Nepal Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6546284/6546386" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
My Brother, the Rock Star in Nepal Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6546284/6546386" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Music New CD Celebrates Masters of Old-Time Autoharp November 28, 2006 • In the 1950s, Mike Seeger sought out and recorded the traditional Southern music of the autoharp, a 36-string instrument small enough to hold in your lap. An expanded version of that collection is now out on CD. New CD Celebrates Masters of Old-Time Autoharp Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6493338/6550684" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
New CD Celebrates Masters of Old-Time Autoharp Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6493338/6550684" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Music News Behind Guaraldi's Timeless Holiday Soundtrack November 28, 2006 • On Tuesday night, a tradition continues: ABC airs the animated special, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Its jazzy Vince Guaraldi soundtrack is a holiday staple, too, but it wasn't embraced by all who first heard it. Behind Guaraldi's Timeless Holiday Soundtrack Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6545283/6545841" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Behind Guaraldi's Timeless Holiday Soundtrack Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6545283/6545841" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript