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A Singer's Best Songs in the Context of Her Worst

Despite recording throwaway pop and calypso songs, Dinah Washington called herself a jazz singer. Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the third volume of Washington's posthumous greatest hits collection, which features several of her collaborations with jazz musicians.

06:23
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Other segments from the episode on October 31, 1988

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, October 31, 1988: Interview with John Carpenter; Review of the album "The Complete Dinah Washington on Mercury, Vol. 3, 1952-1954"; Interview with Peter Scolari; Review of…
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27:39

Film Director John Carpenter

Carpenter has made films in a variety of genres, but he has a special affection for horror and sci-fi. His first movie, Halloween, spawned several sequels. His latest, They Live, is a political satire about aliens colonizing Earth.

Interview
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09:43

Television Actor Peter Scolari

AKA Michael Harris on the Bob Newhart Show. He joins Fresh Air to talk about his character's developing love life. Scolari also juggles, a talent which will soon be featured on sitcom.

Interview
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03:50

Recycling "Mission Impossible"

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the updated version of the 1960s spy show. He says it's a fun watch, especially seeing the updated technology, but he can't help but notice a few careless gaffes in the script.

Review

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Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

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47:38

We Remember Singer Susannah McCorkle

with excerpts from her Fresh Air interviews and concerts. She died last weekend after jumping to her death. She was 55. She had 17 albums to her credit and a repertoire of more than 3000 songs. Besides being a literate interpreter of American popular song, she was also a prose writer who published fiction in Mademoiselle, Cosmopolitan and The O. Henry Book of Short Stories. We also talk with Susannah McCorkle's ex-husband and former manager Dan Dinicola.(REBROADCASTS from 7/17/87, 12/23/88, 4/12/91, 7/3/96).

Obituary
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06:40

Two Takes On Billie Holiday

In honor of Billie Holiday's 100th birthday this month, several artists are releasing out Holiday tribute albums. Fresh Air jazz critic Kevin Whitehead looks at a couple of these by other singers. One he rather likes; the other, not so much.

Review

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