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Culture

Saturday

Music Interviews

'Ol' Man River': An American Masterpiece

NPR's Scott Simon and cultural commentator Murray Horowitz reflect on the impact of "Ol' Man River." It's the 75th anniversary of Paul Robeson's powerful recording of the hauntingly beautiful song from Show Boat.

'Ol' Man River': An American Masterpiece

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Friday

JFK, 'An Unfinished Life'

A new book on President Kennedy has attracted attention because of the disclosure that he had sex with a White House intern. But some historians dispute author Robert Dallek's assertion that Kennedy's presidency was not damaged by his risky sexual behavior and bad health. In an extended interview with NPR's Juan Williams, Dallek discusses Kennedy's medical history and his assassination.

JFK, 'An Unfinished Life'

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Thursday

Review

Music Reviews

Music Review: 'Torch' from Various Artists

Torch is a new collection of "torch ballads" from contemporary artists such as Elvis Costello and Cassandra Wilson. The CD combines the sultry pathos of a torch song with electronic rhythms and sympathetic arrangements. Jim Fusilli offers a review.

Music Review: 'Torch' from Various Artists

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Bob Hope: 100 Years of Memories

On Bob Hope's 100th birthday, NPR's Susan Stamberg looks back at the man who entertained audiences for nearly every decade of the 20th century in a career spanning stage, radio, movies and television. See historic photos of Hope and hear samples of his comedy and music.

Bob Hope: 100 Years of Memories

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Tuesday

Music News

'Pomp and Circumstance'

It's hard to imagine a graduation ceremony without Pomp and Circumstance. Music commentator Miles Hoffman stops by Morning Edition to explore the famous processional, which was by Sir Edward Elgar (left), and other marches of the season.

'Pomp and Circumstance'

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'Berga' Tells of Nazi Slave Camp, U.S. Captives

During World War II, American soldiers suspected of being Jewish were captured by the Nazis and sent off to a German slave labor camp. Berga: Soldiers of Another War was the final project for famed documentarian Charles Guggenheim, who lost an Army buddy in the camp. NPR's Robert Siegel talks with Grace Guggenheim about her late father's last film.

'Berga' Tells of Nazi Slave Camp, U.S. Captives

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Wednesday

'Mordecai': A Jewish Family History

The Mordecais were among the first Jewish families to settle in the South after the Revolutionary War. A new book tells the story of how they struggled to assimilate into American society while retaining their identity as Jews, a story that still resonates in today's America, author Emily Bingham says. Read an excerpt from the book.

'Mordecai': A Jewish Family History

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Saturday

Music Interviews

Bishop Allen's 'Charm School'

When they were in college, members of the pop music group Bishop Allen derived pleasure from hurling furniture off the roof of their apartment house. Now they're singing about it. Hear tracks from their debut CD, Charm School.

Bishop Allen's 'Charm School'

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Friday

Music Interviews

Mariza, the New Diva of Fado

Mariza is a 29-year-old singer of fado — the rich, emotionally textured music tradition from Portugal. She recently spoke with NPR's Melissa Block about her childhood in Lisbon, and about how fado has been her anchor. Hear samples from Mariza's latest CD, Fado Curvo.

Mariza, the New Diva of Fado

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A Symphony in Stainless Steel

The new Walt Disney Concert Hall, with its swooping lines of stainless steel, is giving Los Angeles' dull downtown a starkly different look. NPR's Susan Stamberg takes a hard-hat tour with the hall's designer, world-famous architect Frank Gehry. See a photo gallery of the project.

A Symphony in Stainless Steel

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The Spiritual Message of 'The Matrix'

The film The Matrix Reloaded has excited philosophers, clerics and theologians who find rich in spiritual meaning in the film trilogy's underlying themes. NPR's Rick Karr speaks with authors and experts about the religion of The Matrix trilogy and the the significance of being "The One."

The Spiritual Message of 'The Matrix'

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Wednesday

Sandra Day O'Connor's Supreme Legacy

Sandra Day O'Connor is sworn in as an Associate Justice to the U.S. Supreme Court by Chief Justice Warren Burger in 1981. O'Connor served for more than 20 years on the Supreme Court. Michael Evans/Associated Press hide caption

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Michael Evans/Associated Press

O'Connor Taking Swing Vote Into Retirement

Sandra Day O'Connor's Supreme Legacy

Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to sit on the Supreme Court of the United States, talks with NPR's Nina Totenberg about her new memoir and her long road to the nation's highest court.

Sandra Day O'Connor's Supreme Legacy

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Music Interviews

Regina Carter's Encounter with a 'Cannon'

Regina Carter, a classically trained jazz violinist, is one of the few people in the world who have been allowed to play "The Cannon," Italian composer Paganini's beloved 18th-century violin. She performed on the rare violin in Genoa, Italy, and has now recorded a CD with the instrument. Hear an extended version of Carter's interview with NPR's Renee Montagne and tracks from the album.

Regina Carter's Encounter with a 'Cannon'

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Monday

Music Interviews

Jesse Harris, Winning Songwriter

Jesse Harris never imagined his song "Don't Know Why", the inescapable hit from Norah Jones, would bring them as much success as it did. On Morning Edition, the songwriter tells NPR's Lynn Neary he felt "a bit guilty" beating Bruce Springsteen for the Song of the Year Grammy. Hear samples from Harris' new CD and his own version of Jones' big hit.

Jesse Harris, Winning Songwriter

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