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The Cultural Heritage of American Musicals

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new Smithsonian box set of American musicals from throughout the twentieth century. His only complaint is that, with such a wealth of archival material, he wonders why more serious and contemporary music was included.

06:58
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Other segments from the episode on April 19, 1989

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, April 19, 1989: Interview with Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth; Review of the album "American Musical Theater: Shows, Songs, and Stars"; Interview with Robert Ludlum;…
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27:31

Talking Heads' Rhythm Section's Side Career

Drummer Chris Frantz and bassist Tina Weymouth are a married couple who comprise the Talking Heads' rhythm section. Despite the band's success, they found it hard to support their two children. To make ends meet, Frantz and Weymouth started a new band called Tom-Tom Club. Their new album is called Boom Boom Chi Boom Boom.

Interview
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09:47

Thriller Novelist Robert Ludlum

Ludlum is a best-selling author whose books include The Osterman Weekend, The Aquitaine Progression and The Matarese Circle. His latest is, The Icarus Agenda, is about American hostages in the Mideast. Ludlum is a former actor and theatrical producer who didn't start writing until he was 40

Interview
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03:40

Zemeckis Capatures the Camaraderie of Rock and Roll Fandom

Ken Tucker reviews the home video release of I Wanna Hold Your Hand, about a group of teenage Beatles fans in New Jersey. The film, directed by Robert Zemeckis, was a commercial fop, but Tucker, who says it's insightful without indulging in cliches, hopes it will find a new audience on tape.

Review

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08:25

Judy Garland Was as Great a Singer as She Was an Actress

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a re-issue of Judy Garland's songs titled "Judy" on the label 32 Records. It is a four cd-set with a video and 100 page book of photos and interviews. Also Rhino records has re-issued "Judy Garland in Hollywood."

Review
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01:00:35

The Kurt Weill Phenomenon Shows No Sign of Slowing.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews "Kurt Weill: from Berlin to Broadway, Vol. 2" (Pearl label) and other recordings of "Lady in the Dark" and "Berlin to Broadway" (on the Sony Masterworks Heritage label) as well as Lotte Lenya's "Berlin Theatre Songs" (also on Sony).

Review

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Daughter of Warhol star looks back on a bohemian childhood in the Chelsea Hotel

Alexandra Auder's mother, Viva, was one of Andy Warhol's muses. Growing up in Warhol's orbit meant Auder's childhood was an unusual one. For several years, Viva, Auder and Auder's younger half-sister, Gaby Hoffmann, lived in the Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan. It was was famous for having been home to Leonard Cohen, Dylan Thomas, Virgil Thomson, and Bob Dylan, among others.

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