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Music Reviews

Kanye West: 'Late Registration'

Fresh Air

Late Registration is the new album by hip-hop artist Kanye West. West recently drew a flurry of attention after telling an audience tuned in to a benefit concert for Hurricane Katrina victims that "George Bush doesn't care about black people."

Kanye West: 'Late Registration'

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The Life Melodic with Seu Jorge

American audiences may know Brazilian musician Seu Jorge best for his film roles. He appeared in the City of God and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. But in Brazil, Jorge is a popular singer and songwriter. Chris Nickson reviews his new CD, Cru.

The Life Melodic with Seu Jorge

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Blindness No Barrier: Music of Amadou and Mariam

Malian performers Amadou and Mariam met during the 1970s at the Institute for the Young Blind of Mali. The husband-and-wife team have overcome numerous obstacles, from blindness to living under a military dictatorship. Banning Eyre reviews their CD, Dimanche a Bamako. They began a U.S. tour this week.

Blindness No Barrier: Music of Amadou and Mariam

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Director's Cuts

Director's Cuts: A Little Retro Action

Weekend Edition Sunday music director Ned Wharton reviews some new CDs that harken back to the sound of the '60s: The Greenhornes' East Grand Blues, Iron & Wine's Woman King and Man Alive! by Stephen Stills.

Director's Cuts: A Little Retro Action

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Kanye West Shines

When Chicago's Kanye West released his debut, College Dropout, in 2004, many weren't sure if this hip-hop producer could also pick up the mic and make it as a rapper. Reviewer Oliver Wang says the music shines on West's new CD, Late Registration.

Kanye West Shines

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Giving Less-Known Composers Their Due

Tom Manoff reviews a new CD by the Akademie fuer Alte Musik Berlin that features exciting performances of some less than famous composers. The CD is Ouvertueren (Overtures): Music for the Hamburg Opera is on the Harmonia Mundi label.

Giving Less-Known Composers Their Due

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Jack Nitzsche's 'Hearing Is Believing'

Fresh Air

Rock historian Ed Ward looks at the career of producer and arranger Jack Nitzsche. He worked with a wide variety of artists: Phil Spector, Bobby Darin, Doris Day, Little Stevie Wonder, Neil Young and Marianne Faithful. The new CD Hearing Is Believing collects his work.

Jack Nitzsche's 'Hearing Is Believing'

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