Arts

Books
Arts

History Hijacks Life In 'All That Followed'

10:03am August 08, 2015

by Michael Schaub

Set in Spain's Basque Country, Gabriel Urza's new novel chronicles three lives in the aftermath of the 2004 Madrid train bombings. Critic Michael Schaub calls it "unsparing and beautiful."

Weaving is only the first step. From the weaver the hat passes through the hands of a series of artisans with Hemingway-esque titles: the rematador, the cortador, the apeleador and the planchador.

He's Just Woven The World's Finest Panama Hat. But Who Will Buy It?

7:03am August 08, 2015

by Roff Smith

We visit one of the last — and best — practitioners of this vanishing art. Like his predecessors, he lives in Ecuador, not Panama.

Books
Arts

Life Through The Lens Of A Falling 'Fishbowl'

7:03am August 08, 2015

by Tasha Robinson

Bradley Somer's new novel follows (literally) Ian the goldfish, who's catching glimpses of life and love in the apartments he passes as his bowl plummets from a 27th-floor balcony.

An image from Jon Stewart's first appearance as host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show.

Jon Stewart's 'Daily Show' Legacy: Changing How Americans See Satire

5:37pm August 07, 2015

by Eric Deggans

Jon Stewart hosts his last episode of The Daily Show tonight, after 16 years as TV's satirist supreme. NPR TV critic Eric Deggans says Stewart's barbs changed how people talk about politics and media.

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Hamilton, which opened Thursday on Broadway, is a play based on the life of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.

Arts

A Hip-Hop Soundtrack For A Musical About Alexander Hamilton? Sure, Why Not?

5:35pm August 07, 2015

by Jeff Lunden

The new musical about the U.S.'s Founding Fathers — set to a mostly hip-hop score — that everyone's been talking about for months and months finally opens officially on Broadway Thursday night.

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Arts

Family Dysfunction Is Set To A Melancholic Beat In 'Ricki And The Flash'

3:07pm August 07, 2015

by David Edelstein

In Ricki and the Flash, Meryl Streep plays a singer who left her husband and kids decades ago to pursue her rock 'n roll dream. Reviewer David Edelstein says Streep "tears up the screen" in the film.

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Arts

Jon Stewart Makes A Laugh-Filled, Sentimental Exit From 'The Daily Show'

3:07pm August 07, 2015

by David Bianculli

After 16 years as host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, Jon Stewart presented his farewell program last night. TV critic David Bianculli says it was an entertaining finale from start to finish.

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Books
Arts

'Blood Will Out' Reveals Secrets Of A Murderous Master Manipulator

3:07pm August 07, 2015

Author Walter Kirn thought he was befriending an eccentric Rockefeller, but his pal turned out to be an impostor wanted for murder. Originally broadcast March 10, 2014.

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Mick Fleetwood getting it done with Fleetwood Mac during a 2013 performance

Drum Fill Friday, For Aug. 7

1:20pm August 07, 2015

Our recurring puzzler for careful listeners, this week featuring a selection of fills handpicked by All Songs Considered co-host Robin Hilton. Hear the drum fill and match it to the song.

Brian Bwembya Kasoka (also known as B Flow) sings and raps about women's issues.

Why The Zambian Hip-Hopper 'B Flow' Changed His Tune

1:09pm August 07, 2015

by Ina Yang

In his first two albums, the singer/rapper made music for lovers. Then came album No. 3: Voiceless Women.