Twenty years ago American folklorist and ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax designed "The Global Jukebox," a database that used descriptive tools to identify and link archival music and dance footage. The Global Jukebox was essentially Pandora — but conceived long before technology that could realize it existed. Ten years after his death, Lomax's dream may finally be realized: all of his recordings have been put online, but it will take at least another year to get his collection of dance film into the database.
Pianist and composer Billy Taylor died of heart failure on Tuesday, at the age of 89. The award-winning jazz advocate and scholar is recognized for penning compelling commentary in his jazz compositions during the civil rights era. But he's also known for being a giant in the teaching world of jazz — literally putting some of his peers on a truck and taking them around New York City to perform and teach the world that jazz is America’s classical music.
Singer Chris Brown plead guilty yesterday to felony assault charges. Prosecutors say he badly beat his ex-girlfriend (pop star Rihanna Fenty) in February. Today on The Takeaway we are exploring the intersection between youth, abuse, race and culture with Elizabeth Mendez Berry, a freelance journalist who wrote an acclaimed article in Vibe magazine, Love Hurts, on partner abuse in the world of Hip-Hop. Also joining the conversation is Latoya Peterson, editor of the blog Racialicious.
The latest summer blockbuster, which opens today, features a train in a starring role. It’s a remake of the 1974 film "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three," which starred Walter Matthau and the New York City subway. The New York Times film critic A.O. Scott offers his takeaway on the 2009 remake of "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3." (This one stars Denzel Washington and John Travolta.)
Watch the trailer for the 2009 take on "Pelham" below.
The Takeaway talks with legendary bluesman Henry Butler. Butler has been blind since birth but that hasn't stopped him from playing to packed houses or from taking up a new craft: photography. Also joining the conversation on art and ability is Charlie Washburn, the Executive Director of VSA Arts of Massachusetts, an organization dedicated to including everyone in the arts.
Watch Henry Butler perform "High Heeled Sneakers" in the video below.
In New Orleans, the city's famed Jazz & Heritage Festival is underway. And of course, most people go for the music. But there's another side to JazzFest: the food. The Takeaway is joined by Kathy Gunst, a food writer and radio producer who did some digging into Louisiana's favorite dishes, from gumbo to jambalaya to ya ka mein.
70 years ago African-American opera singer Marian Anderson sang on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial after the Daughters of the American Revolution barred her from performing at Constitution Hall. The concert packed the National Mall and Ms. Anderson became an overnight civil rights icon. For a look at what her legacy means in the 21st century The Takeaway turns to Patrik Henry Bass. He is the Senior Editor of Essence magazine and the author of Like A Mighty Stream: The March on Washington, August 28, 1963.
Through the magic of YouTube you can watch a portion of the concert:
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Cuban revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power. The sweeping changes to the island nation weren't only of the political variety. Cuban music adapted and evolved, too. To take us on a tour through five decades of Cuban music, The Takeaway talks to Ned Sublette, author of Cuba and It’s Music: From the First Drums to the Mamba.
The legendary singer and dancer, Eartha Kitt, passed away yesterday. Famous for her on-stage growls and purrs, Orson Wells called her "the most exciting woman alive." She left an indelible mark on generations with her portrayals Helen of Troy in Faust, Catwoman on Batman, and her iconic Christmas song, Santa Baby.
"Love may be a simple thing, but not Eartha Kitt." — John Hockenberry
No matter how you've been celebrating the holiday season, you're likely to find yourself with some free time over the next week. What should you do with all that time off? The Takeaway talks to Allison Williams from Time Out New York. She'll tell you what to look forward to and what to avoid.
As the Bush administration fades in history, so will the little town of Crawford, Texas. The equivalent refuge in the Obama administration isn't really known. Obama is from Chicago...but he's also from Kahului, Hawaii.
It's what women of the world have always suspected and what men of the world have always known. Watching romantic comedies may lead to unrealistic expectations in relationships. Now, psychologist Bjarne Holmes joins us in a discussion about the media, archetypes, and if soul-mates really do exist.
"Just because fairy tales have told that over generations doesn't mean it's right."
— Bjarne Holmes on relationships
Leonard Cohen’s "Hallelujah" has been covered by over 50 artists, and is now poised to take the top two spots on the UK music charts. Who would have thought that these brooding lyrics about a bad relationship would become a planetary breakup anthem?
You can dance, you can jive, and the UK is having the time of its life with Mamma Mia! The movie has blown British box office records away surpassing Titanic and the Harry Potter series. A bemused Paddy O'Connell feels the beat of the tambourine with John and Adaora from London.
What musical, movie, or song do you listen to or watch when you need a little shot of sunshine on these dark winter recessionary days?
"She was someone who always wanted to cook for all her musicians. Every time we were on tour, she would always invite us in." — Music producer Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse, remembering "Mama Africa" Miriam Makeba
Comedian Baratunde Thurston on 'How to Be Black'
Today's Takeaway: What the Mortgage Settlement Means
Today's Takeaway: Focus on Violence Syria
In-Depth Look at the Situation in Syria
Today's Takeaway: Big Night for Rick Santorum
Some Combat Restrictions for Women Lifted
'Tebow Bill' May Allow Home-Schoolers to Play on High School Teams
Newly-Discovered Recordings Shed Light on a Young Malcolm X
Is Our Constitution Out of Date?
