Terry Gross

A concert and interview with vocalist Susannah McCorkle, accompanied by pianist Cliff Korman. Last week, McCorkle finished a cabaret of Cole Porter tunes in New York City. "The Passionate Cole Porter" was an attempt to prove that Porter was not an unfeeling observer of romance. She also has a CD featuring Cole Porter tunes, "Easy To Love" (Concord Jazz). McCorkle is the youngest singer ever to be included in the Smithsonian Institution's "Popular Music Record Series."

Biographer David Hajdu has just written "Lush Life: A Biography of Billy Strayhorn" (Farrar, Straus and Girous). The book explores the life of Strayhorn, a Duke Ellington collaborator who composed "Take the 'A' Train," "Lush Life" and "Something to Live For." Strayhorn was black and gay, but maintained a low profile while working with Ellington's band.

Singer and actress Cher. She's just released "It's a Man's World" (Warner Brothers), her first CD in five years. She talks Terry about her early life and career.

In his new book, Thayer says moods are not just psychological in origin, but the direct result of biological conditions. The book explains the nature of moods and teaches ways to control them. Thayer is a bio-psychologist and Professor of Psychology at California State University, Long Beach.

Science writer David Quammen's new book is "The Song of the Dodo: Island Biogeography in an Age of Extinctions" (Scribner). During his eight years of research, Quammen studied the biogeography of islands around the world. His travels introduced him to plants and animals previously unimagined. Quammen is a two-time recipient of the National Magazine Award for his science essays and other work in Outside magazine.

Author and journalist and NPR reporter Alan Berlow's new book is "Dead Season: A Story of Murder and Revenge on the Philippine Island of Negros." It's an investigation into a massacre of a peasant family which was linked to a series of interrelated crimes. Berlow also examines the broader problems facing the Philippines and the impact of American colonialism and imperialism.

Film historian Kevin Brownlow. Brownlow's best‑known as the man who reconstructed the silent movie masterpiece "Napoleon." He also wrote a highly respected history of silent film , "The Parade's Gone By." His book, "Behind the Mask of Innocence," (Knopf, 1991) is an examination of how pre‑World War One silent film makers addressed social issues of the day. He also collaborated (with David Gill) on the documentaries: The Unknown Chaplin, Buster Keaton--A Hard Act to Follow and D.W. Griffith--Father of Film.

Internationally-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman. Last year, he released "The Beethoven Triple Concert," two live concert recordings with pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim, and cellist Yo Yo Ma. Also, the CD "In the Fiddler's House," featuring Perlman playing Klezmer music with four Klezmer bands. (Both CD's are on the EMI Classics label). In November, he was also featured on a PBS Great Performance special on Klezmer music. On July 2, Perlman will be in New York performing at Radio City Music Hall. (Rebroadcast of 11/30/1995)

Of the Canaan AME church in Columbia, Tennessee, Pastor Dennis Lawson. In January last year the church was damaged when three local men erected a cross and threw fire bombs into the basement kitchen-area. In the last 18 months, over three dozen churches with predominantly black congregations have been destroyed or damaged in fires. LAWSON and other church leaders have joined forces to support each other in the wake of this crisis. Today, he discussed the epidemic in Washington with President Clinton, Vice President Gore, and members of the cabinet.

Author and daughter of Jackie Robinson, Sharon Robinson. Her new book is "Stealing Home: An Intimate Family Portrait by the Daughter of Jackie Robinson" (Harper Collins). She grew up highly privileged in a comfortable Connecticut suburb in the 1950s. Despite the celebrity of her father, Robinson was not immune to racism and was often conflicted over her father's role in the civil rights movement. The book traces Robinson's search for her own success and identity.