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From Blueberry Nights to African Skies
"My Blueberry Nights" is Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai's first American movie; it's Norah Jones' first movie, period. Jones not only acts but also contributes a song to the soundtrack, as do artists like Cat Power and Cassandra Wilson. Wong Kar Wai talks about the soundtrack. Also: as the Brooklyn Academy of Music hosts a three-week Paul Simon residency, a critic and producer discuss the singer and songwriter's enduring legacy. Finally: Following his mandate to elevate the profile of Garifuna culture, the late producer Andy Palacio — along with producer Ivan Duran — recorded "Umalali," music from the West African and native Central American peoples. We get a taste of it today.
Making the Perfect Road Movie Soundtrack
The new Wong Kar Wai film "My Blueberry Nights" features the acting debut of singer-songwriter Norah Jones and a soundtrack custom-built for a road trip. Songs by Jones, Cat Power and Cassandra Wilson turn up in the movie, and Ry Cooder composed the score. We talk about the soundtrack with director Wong Kar Wai and Wall Street Journal entertainment reporter John Jurgensen.
My Blueberry Nights
John Jurgensen's on "My Blueberry Nights" [Wall Street Journal]
The Unending Appeal of Rhymin' Simon
Paul Simon is being feted with a three-week retrospective at BAM this month. Today, New York Daily News music critic Jim Farber examines the highs and lows in the singer's career.
Umalali
Belizean singer and guitarist Andy Palacio put his culture of Garifuna - a mix of West African and native Central American peoples – on the world music map last year. When he died suddenly last January, he was about to tour with the group Umalali. Umalali join us to talk about Garifuna music after Palacio, and to play live in the studio.
Umalali perform in a tribute to Andy Palacio on Fri. Apr. 4 at Symphony Space at 8 pm.
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