Nov 15th, 2008 · British, American, Russian and French nuclear bomb tests in the 1950s and '60s left permanent records in trees around the globe. Scientists have found chemical signatures of the explosions in the wood of old trees in many countries.
Oct 27th, 2008 · Though she jokes about being a has-been by the age of 17, Janis Ian has evolved as an artist and humanitarian and continues to make records today. Here, on her fifth and most recent visit to Mountain Stage, she performs a live set that includes her signature song, "At Seventeen."
Oct 3rd, 2008 · The House of Representatives passed the big bailout and almost immediately President Bush signed the measure. There have been other occasions when the wheels of government have moved this quickly: President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's declaration of war on Dec. 8, 1941, and President Johnson's signing of the Civil Rights Bill on July 2, 1964.
Sep 26th, 2008 · One of the appealing things about Lalo Schifrin's theme to Mission Impossible is that it's written in 5/4 time: five beats to the measure, instead of the more commonplace three or four. WNYC's Sara Fishko explores the atypical time signature's usage in music by Tchaikovsky, Dave Brubeck and more.
Sep 26th, 2008 · When it comes to odd time signatures, classics like "Take Five" and the theme to Mission Impossible are excellent places to start. But a small bit of digging turns up many other fantastic, and often lesser known works. Here are a five more songs that successfully employ the 5/4 time signature with great diversity and show how playing in 5 can be used in a variety of approaches and styles.
Sep 3rd, 2008 · The No Child Left Behind Act is widely considered a signature education initiative of the Bush administration, passed in the early days of the president's first term. The legislation was intended to reform struggling schools and address the achievement gap. But eight years later, reviews are mixed. A roundtable of educators discuss issues they hope the next administration will address.
Aug 29th, 2008 · Ever since his 1958 live album from Chicago's Pershing Lounge, Ahmad Jamal has been recognized as a major force in jazz. In this program from 1985, Jamal reprises two signature pieces from that session in duets with Marian McPartland: "Poinciana" and "But Not for Me."
Aug 15th, 2008 · New research indicates chili pepper plants may have developed their signature heat as a way to fight off fungal infections caused by insects.