Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews two new Angel recordings featuring British conductor Roger Norrington. Norrington is known for his use of original instruments. The albums feature music from the 19th century by Schubert, Mendelssohn, Weber, Wagner, and Berlioz.
Poet and teacher Frank Bidart. His new collection of poems is "In the Western Night, Collected Poems 1965-90." It's published by Farrar Straus & Giroux.
Critic Laurie Stone comments on two newsworthy comedy events from last weekend--comic Andrew Dice Clay's controversial appearance on Saturday Night Live, and the Comedy Relief special on HBO.
Musician and actor John Lurie. He appeared in Jim Jarmusch's off-beat films "Down By Law," and "Stranger Than Paradise." Lurie also scored the music for these films, and he performs and records with his group, The Lounge Lizards. Lurie has a new album, Voice of Chunk, which he produced and is marketing himself through TV ads and an 800 number.
A stereo concert with Brave Combo The quartet founded the "nuclear polka" movement, and on their latest album, "Humansville" (Rounder Records), they continue their global exploration of musical styles.
Mahoney, who died Sunday, was born in Britain and didn't start acting until he was 37. He went on to appear in films like Say Anything and Barton Fink. Originally broadcast 1990.
Actor John Mahoney. He started out in Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater. His film roles include "Tin Men," "Eight Men Out," the randy professor in "Moonstruck," and the father in "Say Anything."
Actress Barbara Hershey. Hershey's had a long career in Hollywood, from films such as "Boxcar Bertha" in the 60s to "Hannah and Her Sisters," and "The Last Temptation of Christ." Next week, she stars in a made for T-V movie called "A Killing in a Small Town." It's based on the true-list story of a Texas woman who brutally murders her friend.
Book critic John Leonard reviews the new novel "Markers" by Sidney Zion. Zion wrote a puffball biography of Roy Cohn a couple of years ago, Leonard says this novel, about the New York underworld, also draws from Cohn's life. It's published by Donald I. Fine.
Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new CD featuring Carmen McRae. It's "Carmen Sings Monk" on the BMG/RCA label. The recording is a first: no other performer has been permitted to record the lyrics to Monks' songs. McRae got special permission from the Monk family. The CD also features the late saxophonist Carlie Rouse.
Journalist Hedrick Smith. He's the host of the new PBS series, "Inside Gorbachev's U.S.S.R." Smith won the Pulitzer Prize for his reporting from the Soviet Union in the 70's. His book, "The Russians" was a bestseller. He's now writing another book on Russia, "The New Russians."
Journalist and broadcaster John Chancellor. He's currently senior commentator for NBC News. Chancellor's new book is "Peril and Promise: A Commentary on America." (published by Harper & Row).
World music commentator Milo Miles reviews the album "Jali Roll." He says it's an ambitious effort involving African folk musicians playing a traditional instrument called the kora, and members of the English group 3 Mustaphas 3. (Three-MUS-TAUF-us-Three).
Guest film critic Owen Gleiberman reviews "Longtime Companion." It's about how AIDS affected the gay community in New York in the 1980's. The film, written by playwright Craig Lucas, was originally produced for the PBS series American Playhouse.
Actress Pam Grier. She got her start playing tough, scantily-clad women in black exploitation films, such as "Black Mama, White Mama," "Foxy Brown," and "Sheba Baby." She played a hooker in "Fort Apache: The Bronx," and is now appearing in the new film, "The Class of 1999."
