Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new reissue, "Uptown," featuring the Gene Krupa Orchestra with Roy Eldridge and singer Anita O'Day. It's on Columbia.
Book critic John Leonard reviews "Solomon Gursky Was Here," the new novel by Canadian writer Mordecai Richler. Richler's also the author of "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz" and "Joshua Then and Now."
Filmmaker John Waters. His latest film is "Cry Baby," a juvenile delinquent love story set in the 1950's, which brings together such performers as Patty Hearst, Johnny Depp (of Fox's tv show "21 Jump Street"), Ricki Lake, David Nelson, and Polly Bergen. Waters is known for his independent, off-beat films, such as "Pink Flamingos," "Female Trouble," and "Polyester." In 1988 Waters entered the mainstream with his popular film, "Hairspray."
Journalist Ernest Volkman. He and co-author John Cummings' new book "Goombata: The Improbable Rise and Fall of John Gotti and His Gang," chronicles the history of the mofia godfather once proclaimed the "Teflon Don." Since 1986, when Gotti took over the leadership of the Gambino crime family, he's been acquitted in three criminal trials. The latest was an assault and conspiracy trial in New York, in which he was acquitted February 9, 1990.
Television critic David Bianculli previews "Capital News," starring Lloyd Bridges as the head of a Washington DC newspaper. It premieres this week on ABC.
Critic-at-large Laurie Stone reviews the film "Camille Claudel," starring Isabelle Adjani as sculptor Camille Claudel and Gerard Depardieu as Auguste Rodin.
Scientist Barry Commoner, founder and director of the Center for the Biology of Natural Systems in New York. For years Commoner has been at the forefront of the ecology movement. "Time" magazine once dubbed him the "Paul Revere of Ecology." Early on he crusaded about the dangers of nuclear fallout. In 1970 he helped organize the first Earth Day, and a year later published "The Closing Circle," an examination of the affect of technology on the environment.
British writer Fay Weldon. She's most famous for her book, "The Life and Loves of a She-Devil," which was recently made into a movie. Weldon's novels deal with certain aspects of the female experience. In her first novel, "Fat Women's Joke" (1967), an over-weight middle-aged woman leaves her husband and struggles for self-respect in a world where youth and sex appeal count. And the heroine of "Down Among the Women," is an unwed mother. In all, Weldon has written fourteen novels and story collections.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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."
