Ken Tucker reviews "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got," the new album from Irish singer/songwriter Sinead (shh-NAY) O'Connor. (It's on Chrysalis records).
Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new reissue featuring Czech conductor Vaclav Talich (VATZ-lahf TAH-litch). Talich led the Czech Philharmonic off and on from the 20s to 1961. Lloyd says this recording shows Talich's national flavor, a trait that's lost in this modern world of globe-hopping star conductors. This recording features performances of Dvorak's 8th Symphony, and Smetana's "Moldau" and "From Bohemian Woods and Fields." (the recording is on Supraphon).
Basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Abdul-Jabbar is unquestionably one of the greatest players to ever take the court, and has been honored with selections to numerous All-Star games and as well as being named Sports Illustrated "Sportsman of the Year." (His pending selection to the Basketball Hall of Fame is a certainty). Abdul-Jababr put in 20 years in the NBA before retiring from the Los Angeles Lakers at the end of last season.
Comedian Imogene Coca. Coca is a television legend, co-starring with Sid Caeser on the groundbreaking comedy series, "Your Show of Shows," in the 1950s. Since then, Coca's had numerous roles on TV, on stage, and in movies. Imogene Coca is teeming up with Sid Caesar once again, for a series of appearances at Michael's Pub in New York City, beginning April 17th.
Book critic John Leonard reviews Janet Malcolm's controversial book, "The Journalist and the Murderer." The book questions the ethics involved in the trust journalists create in their subjects, focusing on the case of writer Joe McGinnis, whose book "Fatal Vision," was a portrait of murder suspect Jeffrey MacDonald.
Journalist and mountain climber Jon Krakauer. His first book, "Eiger Dreams," is a collection of his articles from magazines such as Outside and Smithsonian. (Eiger Dreams is published by Lyons & Burford)
Rock historian Ed Ward examines the second chapter in Liverpool's rock and roll history. After the Beatles, Liverpool became the focus of the emerging punk scene, with bands such as the Deaf School, Teardrop Explodes, and Echo and the Bunnymen.
A cappella vocalist Bobby McFerrin. He's best known for his recording, "Don't Worry Be Happy," one of several records that's earned McFarrin Grammy awards. Another was for the title track from the film "Round Midnight," in which he used his voice to sound like a trumpet. McFerrin's newest project is "Voicestra," a 10 member vocal ensemble, with a background that ranges from classical music and jazz to theatre and dance. The group has its debut in Los Angeles, April 10-15.
Television critic David Bianculli reviews film director David Lynch's new television series, "Twin Peaks," starring Kyle McGlaughlin. Lynch is best-known for directing the film "Blue Velvet."
World music commentator Milo Miles talks about compas (or kompa, or konpa), the popular music of Haiti. He shows how the roots of compas are in the eclectic musical influences Haiti has absorbed over the years.
Writer Paul Auster. Auster began his writing life first as a poet and translator. In a review of his fifth novel, "Moon Palace," Jane Smiley said, "Auster's style is continually surprising and arresting...the characters are drawn with precision and wit...with great generosity and love." Auster's other books include City of Glass, Ghosts, and a memoir, The Invention of Solitude. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)
Author Paul Monette. His memoir, "Borrowed Time," (Avon books) told his story of living with death and aids. His latest book is a novel, "Afterlife," (Crown books) about how three different men deal with the grief of losing a lover from aids. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)
Animator Paul Fierlinger (FEAR-ling-er). His animated documentary film, "And Then I'll Stop" won the best film award from the International Association of Animators. It's the first animated documentary to explore the issue of alcoholism. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)
Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz examines some recordings in which the worlds of classical and popular music combine. The most recent example is "Anything Goes: Stephane Grappelli and Yo-Yo Ma play (mostly) Cole Porter." Schwartz looks at other recordings that bring together Jascha Heifetz and Bing Crosby; Paul McCartney and George Mason of the New Philharmonia Orchestra; and Frank Sinatra and the Hollywood String Quartet.
Family therapist Salvador Minuchin. (mi-NOO-chin). In the early 50's, he helped launch the field of family therapy, shifting the focus of psychotherapy from the individual to the entire family. He's also known for aggressive, short-term intervention for dealing with delinquent children and anorectic girls. His books include "Families of the Slums," a look at the impact of poverty on a family; "Family Kaleidoscope," based on observations of families in London, England; and "Family Therapy Techniques," which he co-authored.
Writer Hettie Jones. Her new memoir, "How I became Hettie Jones" (published by E.P. Dutton) is an account of living at the center of New York bohemianism during the 50's and 60's. It's also the story of Jones' interracial marriage to black poet LeRoi Jones. LeRoi Jones later became involved in the black militant movement, and changed his name to Amiri Baraka. The two divorced.
