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Italian Pop Star Takes on U.S. Music Market Singer-songwriter Carmen Consoli's polularity can be credited to her combination of Sicilian influences and political awarness. Now, Consoli is taking on a different music market with the release of her first U.S. CD.

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Italian Pop Star Takes on U.S. Music Market

Heard on All Things Considered

Italian Pop Star Takes on U.S. Music Market

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Italian singer-songwriter Carmen Consoli. Rankin hide caption

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Italian singer-songwriter Carmen Consoli.

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From 'Eva Contro Eva'

'Dolce Attesa (The Sweet Awaiting)'

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'Sulle Rive di Morfeo (On Morpheus' Shores)'

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'Pendio Dell'abbandono (The Slope of Abandonment)'

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Web Extra

Carmen Consoli on her political lyrics

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In-Studio Performance

Carmen Consoli performs the Tarantella

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Carmen Consoli's pop music combines Sicilian sounds with political commentary -- making her a top-seller in Italy. Her CD, Eva Contro Eva, which debuted at No. 1 on Italian charts, has now been released in the U.S.

The last Italian pop song to have any considerable U.S. success was Domenico Modugno's "Volare," released almost 50 years ago. Consoli has just wrapped up a short U.S. tour, including a concert at the Kennedy Center.

It seems unlikely that Consoli's songs will ever rival the popularity of "Volare." But Consoli has something to offer not heard in that romantic ballad -- her passion for politics.

"We know only too well that using our own minds is considered a threat by the establishment," says Consoli.

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