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1981: A Good Year for Black Music, New Wave, and Punk

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward looks back on the music of 1981 -- a year he says was great for black musicians in particular, including Prince, Rick James, and Grandmaster Flash. British bands like Duran Duran dominated, too.

07:23
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Other segments from the episode on January 11, 1991

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, January 11, 1991: Interview with Artem Borovik; Commentary on the music of 1981; Interview with Madison Smartt Bell; Review of John LeCarre's novel "The Secret Pilgrim."
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24:06

Journalist Artem Borovik on the Perils of Desert Warfare

Soviet journalist Artem Borovik Borovik covered the Soviet war in Afghanistan. His first hand account of that war has given him insight into the difficulties associated with combat in harsh climates -- conditions American soldiers may face during any intervention in the Gulf crisis.

Interview
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10:15

Author Madison Smartt Bell on Altered Consciousness

Bell's new novel, "Doctor Sleep," follows a hypnotist and part-time criminologist through three days and nights as he deals with his domestic life and with tracking down a serial killer. Bell is interested in the altered states of mind that come from hypnotism, insomnia, and stress.

Interview
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04:01

A Spy's Spiritual Crises

Book critic John Leonard reviews "The Secret Pilgrim" by John LeCarre. It's the final chapter in LeCarre's novels starring master spy George Smiley, which Leonard says it's a Pilgrim's Promise of a book, and LeCarre's best in recent years.

Review

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Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

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