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Tom Waits
A Lot Of Songs About Ice Cream

All Songs Considered hosts Bob Boilen (left) and Robin Hilton, high on ice cream sandwiches, music. Brandi Fullwood/NPR hide caption

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Brandi Fullwood/NPR

All Songs Considered

A Lot Of Songs About Ice Cream

Even though it was a rocky road, we whipped together a show sprinkled with some of our favorite ice cream tunes.

A Lot Of Songs About Ice Cream

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All Songs Considered

Damien Rice, Tom Waits, The Gothic Archies

The year's best pop music from Lily Allen; The quiet and contemplative Damien Rice; Chilling out with The Hold Steady; Three new CDs from Tom Waits; A tragic treasury from The Gothic Archies and more.

Damien Rice, Tom Waits, The Gothic Archies

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The Songs That Make Us Cry

The music that makes one of us emotional doesn't always make sense to others. William Lovelace/Getty Images hide caption

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All Songs Considered

The Songs That Make Us Cry

This week: results from our survey about the songs that bring tears to your eyes. Hear listener submissions, as well as personal picks from the All Songs crew.

The Songs That Make Us Cry

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The Songs That Make Us Cry

The music that makes one of us emotional doesn't always make sense to others. William Lovelace/Getty Images hide caption

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William Lovelace/Getty Images

All Songs Considered

The Songs That Make Us Cry

This week: results from our survey about the songs that bring tears to your eyes. Hear listener submissions, as well as personal picks from the All Songs crew.

The Songs That Make Us Cry

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New Mix: Tom Waits, Neutral Milk Hotel And More

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (top), Lisa Hannigan, James Blake, Jesse Sykes (middle row left to right), Neutral Milk Hotel (bottom). Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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All Songs Considered

New Mix: Tom Waits, Neutral Milk Hotel And More

Also this week: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah readies its first album since 2007, and the two reigning kings of falsetto join forces.

New Mix: Tom Waits, Neutral Milk Hotel And More

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New Music From Tom Waits & Keith Richards, Ra Ra Riot, Villagers, More

Clockwise from upper left: Lisa Germano, Ra Ra Riot, Tom Waits, Keith Richards, Blaudzun. Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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All Songs Considered

New Music From Tom Waits & Keith Richards, Ra Ra Riot, Villagers, More

Veteran musicians Tom Waits and Keith Richards recorded a new song for a compilation called Son Of Rogue's Gallery, and we guarantee it's not at all what you'd expect.

New Music From Tom Waits & Keith Richards, Ra Ra Riot, Villagers, More

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A Braid Of Words: Guest DJ Eduardo Halfon, Author Of 'The Polish Boxer'

Guatemalan author Eduardo Halfon's most recent book, The Polish Boxer, mesmerized us. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Alt.Latino

A Braid Of Words: Guest DJ Eduardo Halfon, Author Of 'The Polish Boxer'

This week on Alt.Latino, the Guatemalan author joins us to discuss his latest book, The Polish Boxer. Hear a conversation about Guatemala, Judaism in Latin America and, of course, music.

A Braid Of Words: Guest DJ Eduardo Halfon, Author Of 'The Polish Boxer'

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Review

Music Articles

Can Scarlett Johansson Sing? Who Cares?

Esquire music critic Andy Langer previews this week's new album releases, featuring music from actress-turned-singer Scarlett Johansson, Green Day side project Foxboro Hot Tubs, bluegrass banjoist Abigail Washburn, and the Flobots.

Can Scarlett Johansson Sing? Who Cares?

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World Cafe

Tom Waits: Rock Classics, with a Gravelly Rasp

XPN

It's difficult to overstate Waits' importance and impact: With a career that spans more than 20 albums, he blends countless musical and theatrical styles, from classic jazz, blues and polka to rock and folk. Held together with his unmistakable voice, Waits' music is instantly recognizable and endlessly compelling.

Tom Waits: Rock Classics, with a Gravelly Rasp

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Music Articles

Tom Waits: The Whiskey Voice Returns

Known since the 1970s for his distinctive, gravelly voice, singer-songwriter Tom Waits has since given up whiskey for family life. But echoes of his hard-living ways can still be heard in his music.

Tom Waits: The Whiskey Voice Returns

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Music Articles

Tom Waits Fights to Stay Out of Advertising

Singer-songwriter Tom Waits' unique vocal style and devoted following has such appeal to advertisers that they have resorted to using sound-alikes when Waits turns down requests to use his original music. That has led the artist to take legal action.

Tom Waits Fights to Stay Out of Advertising

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Music Articles

Tom Waits Speaks On Songwriting

Fresh Air

Since the 1973 release of his first album, Closing Time, Waits has won over fans with his original songwriting and distinctive, gravelly vocal style. His newest CD is Real Gone. (This interview was originally broadcast in 2002.)

Tom Waits Speaks On Songwriting

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