Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'british'

Clive Barnes, A Critic's Critic

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Arts critic Clive Barnes died Wednesday. During the 1960s and 1970s, the British-born Barnes exercised significant influence over New York theater and dance as a critic for The New York Times. He became a New York Post critic in 1978.

How A-Bomb Testing Changed Our Trees

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 13:54:00 EST

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.

'Billy Elliot' Makes The Leap To Broadway

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:00:00 EST

The big-ticket Broadway musical, based on the surprise-hit British film, has its opening night tonight. Jeff Lunden explains what's new and what's different — and how the story's focus expanded for the stage.

Survey: British Call Workers Phone In Sick A lot

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:53:00 EST

New figures from the United Kingdom show that call center workers are twice as likely to call in sick, compared to other sectors of British workers. The British government survey shows that nearly five percent of customer service workers had taken at least one day off in the previous week. The average is two and a half percent. The high rate of sick days could explain long waits listening to repetitive hold music.

Danny Boyle, From 'Trainspotting' to 'Slumdog'

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:26:00 EST

British director Danny Boyle's newest film, Slumdog Millionaire, tells the story of an orphan boy who wins the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Boyle's previous credits include Trainspotting and 28 Days Later.

Peter Hammill: Prog Rock's Unsung Hero

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:20:00 EST

Musician Peter Hammill isn't a household name, and his music isn't necessarily for the household. As a founding member of the British progressive rock scene in the early '70s, Hammill reaches beyond the pretension of prog rock and into the fury of punk.

Live Friday: The Decemberists In Concert

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:36:00 EST

Two years after releasing one of the best albums of 2006 (The Crane Wife), the band returns with three volumes of new songs. Like much of The Decemberists' earlier work, Always the Bridesmaid: A Singles Series is full of magically inventive, character-driven story-songs rooted in British folk and pop. The Decemberists will showcase the new music, along with old favorites, in a full concert, webcast live on NPR.org Friday, Nov. 7. The performance, from WXPN in Philadelphia, will begin online at approximately 9 p.m. ET.

Swedish Pop, Exotic Creatures of the Deep, The Elephant 6 Orchestra, More

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:28:00 EDT

Sweden has been producing some of the best pop music of the past decade. On our latest mix we've got new music from singer Lykke Li (pronounced Leaky-Lee), and the sprawling, 30-member group I'm From Barcelona. Also on the show: the British band Wild Beasts with their oddly titled new song "Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants;" the wildly strange and wonderful Sparks; twin sisters and the former drummer for Secret Machines form the band School of Seven Bells; and the influential Elephant 6 Orchestra reunites for a magical and historic live performance.

Recordings Capture Writers' Voices Off The Page

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:02:00 EDT

Rare recordings featuring the voices of famous authors have just been released on two collections from the British Library. The CD sets include the only recording of Virginia Woolf, as well as the sound of dozens of other writers, both British and American.

Waco Brothers: Where Punk And Country Collide

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:08:00 EDT

The Waco Brothers, a punk-influenced alt-country band from Chicago made up of mostly British musicians, is best known for their chaotic live performances. The band brings that chaos to the World Cafe studios to perform songs included in their latest CD, Waco Express: Live & Kickin' at Schuba's Tavern .

Neil Halstead's 'Mighty' Soft Songs

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:19:00 EDT

In a session with David Dye, Neil Halstead of Slowdive and Mojave 3 performs songs from his latest solo album, Oh! Mighty Engine. The British singer's soft, introspective style matches the charming stories in his songs.

Freud And Oedipus Converge In 'Three Roads'

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:19:00 EDT

Where Three Roads Meet, the new novel from British psychologist and fiction writer Sally Vickers, is set in the spring of 1923, and features an invented encounter between the ailing Sigmund Freud and a blind, ancient soothsayer.

Actor's British Road Trip Goes Off The Beaten Path

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:01:00 EDT

Robbie Coltrane, best known for playing Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, takes time away from potions and spells to talk about his new DVD. In Robbie Coltrane: Incredible Britain, he drives on country roads from London to Glasgow, Scotland, to reveal a different side of Britain.

Markets Rebound On Bank Proposals

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Britain's top share index has added to strong gains, as a plan from the U.S. Treasury to inject $250 billion into banks further eased anxiety on financial markets. The stock rebound began Monday on a British plan to pump $64 billion of taxpayer cash into three major banks.

Europe Vows $2 Trillion Backing For Banks

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:30:00 EDT

European governments have promised nearly $2 trillion of support for the banking system in Europe. After the British announcement of massive intervention last week, governments using the euro announced similar measures when they met in Paris Sunday night.

British Rescue Plan Brings Sigh Of Relief

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

It's been one day since a multi-billion-dollar rescue package was put forward by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Politicians in Britain warned Wednesday against measuring the success of the plan by looking at the stock exchange.

British Banks Get Their Own Rescue Plan

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:19:00 EDT

Britain has announced a multibillion-dollar rescue plan for its banking system. The plan would partially nationalize the banking industry in an attempt to shore up a financial sector that many fear won't survive the turmoil without government help.

Dub Colossus' Journey

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EDT

On his new album A Town Called Addis, British music producer "Dub Colossus" - also known as Nick Page - blends roots and instrumental reggae with traditional Ethiopian music. The project was born out of a long musical journey Page took through Ethiopia two years ago. Critic Sarah Bardeen has a review.

British Government To Partially Nationalize Banks

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The British government announced a multi-billion dollar rescue package Wednesday for British banks. The emergency plan partially nationalizes Britain's banking industry. The move comes one day after some banks lost nearly 40 percent of their share value.

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:23:00 EDT

David Cornwell, who goes by the pen name John Le CarrÃ©, is back with his latest spy novel A Most Wanted Man. In the thriller, Le CarrÃ© uses his experience as a British intelligence officer to write about his view on the war on terror.

Adele: Chasing 'Pavements' And Pop Stardom

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EDT

After releasing her debut album, 19, to critical acclaim earlier this year, British artist Adele was dubbed the next Amy Winehouse by the British press. The young singer-songwriter talks about her record and her new-found fame.

Two British Banks Fail

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EDT

The U.S. isn't the only place feeling the effects of Wall Street's meltdown. Over the weekend, the British government nationalized Bradford and Bingley bank. We examine how markets in Europe are reacting and what the failure means for Gordon Brown's administration.

Blair Praises U.S. Presidential Candidates

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Though he refused to endorse either candidate, the former British prime minister told NPR, "I think you have two very good people standing to be your president." He also offered his approval of the federal government's decision to bail out Wall Street.

'The Anglo Files: A Field Guide To The British'

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 08:53:00 EDT

The U.S. may have a special relationship with Britain, but there's a lot that divides Americans and Brits. Sarah Lyall, author of "The Anglo Files: A Field Guide to the British," details British people andtheir character. In one section of the book, Lyall explores Brits and booze.

Ed Laurie: 'Meanwhile In The Park"

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:52:00 EDT

British singer-songwriter Ed Laurie is one of the many musicians who's benefited from the limitless possibilities of Internet exposure. After making his music available on his MySpace page, Laurie was courted by an iTunes executive who then helped the Londoner with the online release of his seven-song debut, Meanwhile in the Park