FRESH AIR
In his new book, The Devil We Know, former CIA operative Robert Baer argues that Iran is an up-and-coming — and often misunderstood — superpower, with strong influences throughout the Middle East. “The sooner we understand the Iranian paradox — who they are, what they want, how they want to both humble us and work with us — the sooner we’ll understand how to come to terms with the new Iranian superpower,” writes Baer. Baer’s previous book, See No Evil, was the basis for the George Clooney film Syriana.
RADIO TIMES
Hour 1
What’s your favorite song? Album? Musical collaboration? Musical riff? What music do you listen to on your ipod? What are the tunes you use as a soundtrack for a long road trip? Music critic TOM MOON was given an assignment by Workman Publishing, decide on 1000 pieces of music that meet the criteria of great… a life changing, peak experience. He spent more than three years listening and doing research and has made his final list. Coming up we talk about music and hear selections from his new book. Tom Moon’s book is “1000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die.” He’s a regular contributor to NPR’s ATC. Listen to this show via Real Audio
Hour 2
As the Phillies prepare for game two of the National League Division series against the Milwaukee Brewers Marty talks with Daily News writer MARCUS HAYES, Inquirer columnist PHIL SHERIDAN and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s TOM HAUDRICOURT about yesterday’s games and the Phil’s chances for the remainder of postseason play. Listen to this show via Real Audio | mp3
THE WORLD CAFE
Monkey: Journey to the West is the result of a collaboration between musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, the creative minds behind the multimedia band Gorillaz. Conceived and created by the Chinese actor and director Chen Shi-zheng, Monkey is stage adaptation of a 16th-century Chinese novel. It tells the story of a monkey born from a stone, seeking immortality. The stage version features imaginative set design, intense acrobatics and a libretto sung in Mandarin. The accompanying soundtrack is based upon, but not an exact recording of, what some have called a “circus opera.” It features traditional Chinese instrumentation and harmonies, but also uses many of the same markings of an Albarn album: drum loops, post-punk synths and explosive bursts of noise. In an interview with David Dye, Albarn and Hewlett discuss the project and its origins.
GORILLAZ: Clint Eastwood