Books and Music Review
July 2003

Latin Rhythms Meet Electronica on 'Segundo'
Juana Molina is part of a new generation of musical experimenters from Argentina. On Segundo, her debut CD, Molina mixes the sounds of electronica with the waving rhythms and undulations of traditional South American music. Critic Tom Moon has a review.

Rethinking the Soundtrack to 'Midnight Express'
What happens when two Paris-based North African musicians decide to rework the music from the movie Midnight Express using traditional Turkish instruments and techno? Hemdi is a secular Muslim originally from Algeria; Smadj is Moroccan and a devout Jew. Together, they form the band DuOud. They see their song "The Chase" from their new album as both an ironic challenge to a film that famously portrays Middle Easterners as brutes and an earnest homage to one of Hollywood's first techno soundtracks.

'Last Days of Publishing'
Alan Cheuse reviews The Last Days of Publishing, by Tom Engelhardt, who is a former New York trade book editor. The novel, his first, is about the shift from privately owned publishing houses to media conglomerates.

Shostakovich's 'Leningrad'
Robert Siegel talks with Russian conductor Velery Gergiev, who has just released a new recording of Shostakovich's massive 7th Symphony, "The Leningrad." It features the combined forces of two orchestras, the Kirov Orchestra and the Rotterdam

Joseph McElroy, Writing at His Own Pace
Writer Joseph McElroy's latest work is Actress in the House, another in a series of complex novels. He discusses the writer's craft with NPR's Steve Inskeep.
Expanded Coverage

Children's Books Recommendations
Michele Norris talks with Valerie Lewis of Hicklebee's Bookstore about what makes for a good children's book. We've chosen three books that caught our attention this summer. For kids age 4 and under, we suggest Snuggle Puppy: A Love Song, by Sandra Boynton (Workman Publishing). For kids age 4 through 9, there is Toni and Slade Morrison's book, Who's Got Game? The Ant or the Grasshopper? (Scribner. And for young adults there is Georgia Byng's Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism (Harper Collins). Valerie Lewis is the author of Valerie & Walter's Best Books for Children: A Lively, Opinionated Guide (Avon Books). She also runs Hicklebee's Bookstore in San Jose, Calif.
Expanded Coverage

Radiohead Translated for the Piano
Classical pianist Christopher O'Riley is best known for his interpretations of music by such composers as Stravinksy and Ravel. But on his latest album, True Love Waits, he transforms the compositions of rock band Radiohead. NPR's Michele Norris talks with O'Riley.

'Hanapepe Dream'
Taj Mahal has been exploring roots music for more than four decades. He's a native of western Massachusetts, but he spent most of the 1980s and '90s living in Hawaii. His extended island sojourn is reflected on his latest release, Hanapepe Dream. Meredith Ochs offers a review.

Macy Gray's New CD Recalls Sounds of Classic Soul
Over the last few years, several contemporary R&B artists have hit pay dirt by consciously emulating the sounds and songwriting devices of classic soul. Among these "neo-soul" artists is Macy Gray. Her latest album, The Trouble With Being Myself, evokes the sounds of Chaka Khan, Al Green and the Jackson Five. Critic Tom Moon offers a review.

'The Pursuit of Alice Thrift'
Alan Cheuse reviews The Pursuit of Alice Thrift by Elinor Lipman. It's a comic romance between a flat-footed female surgical intern and a street-wise candy salesman.

Ben Franklin
If you're looking for a summer read, Walter Isaacson's new biography of Benjamin Franklin may be just what you need. Isaacson and NPR's Steve Inskeep discuss Franklin as a newspaperman in America's early democracy and how media works today. (Ben Franklin is published by Yale University Press, ISBN: 0300095325.)

'The Colour'
Alan Cheuse reviews The Colour by Rose Tremain. Set in New Zealand in the 1800s, the story centers around the Gold Rush there.

Christmas in July
While most Americans were grilling and watching local firework displays, here at All Things Considered, we were busy listening to the first Christmas CD of the season. The song, "Jingle Merry Christmas", was sent to us by songwriter Jim Bachman and performed by Buddy Jewell. For more on this song you can write to jhnbachman@aol.com.

'Great Americans'
Robert Siegel talks with K.K. Ottesen, photographer and author of the book, "Great Americans," which features photos and stories about Americans across the country who have the same names as famous Americans. Siegel also talks with three of the people featured in her book: Al Capone of Franklinville, N.J.; Marilyn Monroe of Des Moines, Iowa; and Pastor Abraham Lincoln of Chicago, Ill.

The Polyphonic Spree
The Polyphonic Spree consider themselves a symphonic rock band, and play upbeat songs of happiness and celebration. But in their uniform white robes, the 23 members of the band look more like a religious cult. NPR's Bob Boilen profiles the band -- hear a cut from their debut album, featured in All Songs Considered.

Bruce Cockburn: New Music from an Indie Stalwart
Since the 1960s, Canadian singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn has released 27 records -- all of them on independent labels. His latest CD, You've Never Seen Everything, is a politically charged and energetic record that blends jazz themes with the sounds of electronica. Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers reports.

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