Music Lists A Look at the Best CDs of the Year December 31, 2004 • NPR writers and critics pick the best albums of 2004. Included is music by Modest Mouse, Tinariwen, The Hilliard Ensemble, Brian Wilson, Guy Davis and Wilco. A Look at the Best CDs of the Year Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4253793/4253794" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Movies Bob Mondello's Favorite Movies of 2004 December 31, 2004 • NPR's Bob Mondello looks back at the films released in 2004, and finds a handful that prove to filmmakers that you can create films that deal with politics, memory and religion and not suffer at the box office. Bob Mondello's Favorite Movies of 2004 Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4252534/4253824" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Movies Kenneth Turan: Film Trends for 2004 December 31, 2004 • Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan says that while 2004 was a relatively poor year for quality films, there were some documentaries and animated films that stood out — and some of the best films were also the most controversial. Kenneth Turan: Film Trends for 2004 Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4253029/4253177" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Music Moody Bluegrass: Rocking Through the Hills December 30, 2004 • Producer David Harvey's new bluegrass album pays tribute to British '70s pop icons The Moody Blues. Bluegrass stars from Tim O'Brien and Alison Krauss to Stuart Duncan and Aubrey Haynie interpret "I'm Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band" and "Nights in White Satin," among others. Hear NPR's Steve Munro. Moody Bluegrass: Rocking Through the Hills Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4247134/4251272" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Music Interviews Artie Shaw Dies at 94 December 30, 2004 • Bandleader, clarinetist and arranger Artie Shaw has died at home in Los Angeles. His health had declined since Thanksgiving. He was 94. Shaw's recording of "Begin the Beguine" became so popular in 1938 that it brought him to an even footing with the other so-called "King of Swing" -- Benny Goodman. NPR's Robert Siegel has a remembrance. Artie Shaw Dies at 94 Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4252218/4252334" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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A 'Merchant of Venice' of Its Own Time, for Our Time December 29, 2004 • NPR's Bob Mondello reviews the first full-length feature film of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. He says director Michael Radford's adaptation features stunning performances from Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons. A 'Merchant of Venice' of Its Own Time, for Our Time Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4250282/4250283" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Diversions Last Laughs 2004: Cartoonist Matt Groening Fresh Air December 29, 2004 • Matt Groening is the creator of the highly acclaimed animated Fox sitcom The Simpsons. He tells us how the show and its characters evolved, and discusses his role in the production of some 300 episodes. Groening also created the TV series Futurama and still draws the weekly comic strip Life in Hell. Last Laughs 2004: Cartoonist Matt Groening Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4249835/4249836" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Jerry Orbach Had Storied Career on Stage, Screen Fresh Air December 29, 2004 • Actor Jerry Orbach, best known for his long-running role as Lennie Briscoe on TV's Law and Order, died Tuesday at age 69. Orbach also enjoyed a successful Broadway career, winning a Tony for his role in Promises, Promises, and appeared in films such as Crimes and Misdemeanors and Dirty Dancing. We listen to a Nov. 21, 1989, interview with Orbach. Jerry Orbach Had Storied Career on Stage, Screen Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4249839/4249840" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Obituaries Writer Susan Sontag Dies at 71 December 29, 2004 • Author Susan Sontag died Tuesday in Manhattan, after a long struggle with cancer. Sontag was the author of many essays and 17 widely translated books. She wrote about photography and AIDS, film and choreography, Vietnam and the Sept. 11 attacks. Her novel In America won the National Book Award for fiction. Sontag was 71. Hear NPR's Kim Masters. Writer Susan Sontag Dies at 71 Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4249141/4249142" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Obituaries Actor Jerry Orbach Dies December 29, 2004 • The Tony-winning actor Jerry Orbach, star for almost half a century on Broadway and television, died Tuesday at age 69 of prostate cancer. He was best known as the seen-it-all detective Lennie Briscoe on Law and Order. NPR's Gloria Hillard reports. Actor Jerry Orbach Dies Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4250302/4250303" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Obituaries Actor Jerry Orbach Dies at 69 December 29, 2004 • Actor Jerry Orbach died Tuesday at age 69 of prostate cancer. Orbach spent years on the New York stage as a song man in hit musicals, but he was perhaps best known for his role as acerbic New York homicide detective Lennie Briscoe in the long-running hit series Law and Order. Actor Jerry Orbach Dies at 69 Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4249728/4249729" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Jeremy Irons Takes On the Bard's 'Merchant' December 29, 2004 • Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons talks about his latest role as the title character in a film adaptation of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice -- a play some consider to be anti-Semitic for its portrayal of the vengeful Jewish moneylender Shylock. Jeremy Irons Takes On the Bard's 'Merchant' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4249596/4249740" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Scenes I Wish I Had Written December 28, 2004 • We all have scenes in our minds from television, film and theater, moments that just seem to stick. For a Morning Edition series, Scenes I Wish I Had Written, NPR's Susan Stamberg asks some major stage and screenwriters to pick their favorites.
Opinion A Philosopher's Reflections on the New Year In Defense of High Ideals December 28, 2004 • In the second of a year-end series of reflections, commentator and philosopher Alain de Botton explains why having an idealized view of the world can be appealing and helpful. In Defense of High Ideals Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4248396/4248397" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Obituaries Author Susan Sontag Dies December 28, 2004 • Susan Sontag, known for her essays and political activism, dies at 71 in Manhattan. Sontag authored 17 books and was considered one of America's leading intellectuals. NPR's Kim Masters has an appreciation. Author Susan Sontag Dies Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4248388/4248389" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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