Raney began playing when he was 17. He was one of the first jazz guitarists to incorporate modern bop into his music. He suffers from Meniere's disease, which causes hearing problems -- he can perform solo, but has difficulty with other musicians. He collaborated with Stan Getz in the 1950s. Some of those early sessions have recently been re-issued on CD.
Book critic John Leonard reviews "Two States - One Nation" by Gunther Grass, which collects the author's writings over the decades against German reunification.
Television critic David Bianculli previews the CBS comedy-drama, about a local TV news station. He says the well-cast pilot has a purposeful feel reminiscent of Hill Street Blues.
Kindcaid's new novel, Lucy, is based on her own experience of leaving her home country for New York City. She says much of her work has been informed by her difficult but loving relationship with her mother, whom she sees infrequently.
Savini creates the macabre effects for George Romero's zombie films. Now he's directed his own movie, a remake of Romero's classic, Night of the Living Dead. He shares some of the secrets behind how he simulates gore on set.
The white South African writer's latest book is called My Son's Story, about a mixed-race family. She joins Fresh Air to talk about why she stays in in her home country, despite political unrest. A long-time anti-apartheid activist, she's recently become a member of the African National Congress.
Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Neil Young's new record with Crazy Horse, called "Ragged Glory." Tucker says that, after several genre exercises throughout the '80s, Young finally returns to form.
The singer performs for Fresh Air audiences with pianist Huw Warren. Tabor was a mainstay of the British folk scene, and has more recently branched out into other forms of music. Despite her accomplishments, she admits to not practicing and never learning to read music. Her latest album is called Freedom and Rain.
Film critic Stephen Schiff says Disney thought of the animated classic as a high-brow work of art. Audiences disagreed -- and so does Schiff. The film works best when it doesn't take itself so seriously.
World music critic Milo Miles says the Brazilian style was seen as a mark of refinement for both Brazilian and American listeners. But it's this polish that can sometimes make the genre tiresome. Nonetheless, the new CD The Legendary Joao Gilberto is a worthwhile listen.
Baltimore Sun reporter Roger Simon has a syndicated column that originates from the Baltimore Sun. He's covered several presidential campaigns; his new book about the 1988 presidential election is called Road Show.
Sidransky was born to deaf parents, though she herself is a hearing person. Her memoir, In Silence, is about their lives and how she often spoke for them.
Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the jazz musician's new albums. Weston spent a spent a decade in Tangiers; Whitehead says you can hear the percussive influence of West African music in his performances.
Writer John Updike recently completed his Rabbit series. He says that, while elements of his life show up in the protagonist Harry Angstrom, the books were never meant to be autobiographical.
Rock historian Ed Ward begins a two-part profile of the influential singer, songwriter, and guitar player. Mayfield was recently injured during a performance, and is now paralyzed.
Replacements singer and songwriter Paul Westerburg has a reputation for rawness and bad stage behavior -- as well a strong pop sensibility. His band has lasted over a decade, in part because of their willingness to mellow and evolve. The Replacements' new album is All Shook Down.
Book critic John Leonard reviews the South African author's new epistolary novel, which uses cancer as a metaphor for apartheid. Leonard says it's baffling with a terrible beauty, that spares no one -- including blacks and white liberals.
