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Wisconsin Public Radio

U.S. v. THEM

Program 05-05-22-A

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Words like "America" and "globalization" often conjure up images of protest and conflict around the world. It's the U.S. v. Them. Either you're for us or against us. But things aren't always so black and white. In a Special Edition of To the Best of Our Knowledge, Soap Opera in China, hip hop in Africa, and California wine in France. Also, an unexpected weapon in the State Department's repertoire: jazz.

SEGMENT 1:

Jonathan Nossiter directed a documentary film called "Mondovino" in which he talks with people all over the world who make and sell wine. Nossiter tells Anne Strainchamps why wines are all starting to taste the same. Also, Rachel DeWoskin is a young American who was working in Beijing and became a TV star as the American vixen in "Foreign Babes in Beijing." The soap opera became China's most popular TV show. She tells Jim Fleming what it was like and demonstrates her Chinese accents. Her book is also called "Foreign Babes in Beijing."

SEGMENT 2:

John Perkins is the author of "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man." He tells Steve Paulson that he was recruited by the NSA and lived a life of privilege and decadence until he got out of the foreign aid business. Also, Patrick Neate is the author of "Where You're at: Notes from the Frontline of a Hip-Hop Planet." Neate explains how young people from around the worls adapt hip-hop to address their own concerns. And we hear lots of music.

SEGMENT 3:

Penny Von Eschen is the author of "Satchmo Blows Up the World." She tells Steve Paulson about the State Department's use of jazz musicians as a weapon in the cold war to win hearts and minds in the Third World. Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington and Dave Brubek were among the so-called "jazz ambassadors." And we hear lots of their music, much of it recorded on these tours.

Cassette copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 05-05-22-A.

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Books:

• Patrick Neate, Where You're At: Notes From a Hip Hop Planet (Riverhead)
  
• Rachel DeWoskin, Foreign Babes in Beijing (Norton)
• John Perkins, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man (BK Books)
• Penny M. Von Eschen Satchmo Blows Up the World (Harvard Press)

Music:

• Trans-Global Underground. "Vanilka" off of their Impossible Broadcasting
  CD on Triloka Records.
• Trans-Global Underground. "Sentinel" off of their Impossible Broadcasting CD on Triloka Records.
• Trans-Global Underground. "Cikan - Le Message" off of their Impossible Broadcasting CD on Triloka Records.
• Louis Armstrong. "Tin Roof Blues" off of the Ambassador Satch CD on Columbia Records.
• Louis Armstrong. "West End Blues" off of the Ambassador Satch CD on Columbia Records.
• Louis Armstrong and Dave Brubeck. "Cultural Exchange" off of the Real Ambassadors CD on Columbia Jazz.
• Louis Armstrong and Dave Brubeck. "Real Ambassadors" off of the Real Ambassadors CD on Columbia Jazz.
• Dizzy Gillespie. "Manteca" off if his Dizzy Gillespie at Newport CD on Verve.
• Louis Armstrong. "C'est si bon" off of his "Katanga Concert" on Milan Music.
• HIP HOP MUSIC FROM SOUTH AFRICA
  Originz. "Family of One"
  H2O. "It's Wonderful"
  Mzekezeke. "Amakoporosh"
  Zola. "Ghetto Scandalous"
  Skwatta Camp. "World's Finest"
  

Distribution dates:

week of 08/20/2006 - hour 1 week of 05/22/2005 - hour 1

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