Blues

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Tom Wait's new album, "Bone Machine," which Tucker says brings a new freshness and humor to the singer and songwriter.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead surveys a recent boxed set of vintage recordings by blues singer Howlin' Wolf ("Howlin' Wolf: The Chess Box" is on MCA records).

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward remembers The Memphis Jug Band.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews two great solo saxophone pieces by Coleman Hawkins. The first is called "Picasso," and is based on the music of cellist Pablo Casals. The second is called "Dali."

The late songwriter Doc Pomus co-wrote such hits as "This Magic Moment," "Save The Last Dance for Me," "Teenager in Love," and "His Latest Flame." We remember Pomus with three interviews:

1) Music critic Peter Guralnick (Gurr-AL-nick), a friend and admirer of Pomus. Guralnick wrote "Searching For Robert Johnson," a book that examined the life of blues musician Robert Johnson. And he's currently working on a biography of Elvis Presley.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead profiles trombonist Charlie Green who worked with Bessie Smith.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Skip James, a great bluesman of the 30s who vanished from the scene, then reappeared 30 years later.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead has just returned from the Chicago Jazz Festival, where Swiss composer George Gruntz premiered his "Chicago Cantata."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Jumptime," the first in a series of reissues of 50s singles from alto saxophonist and singer Tab Smith. (Smith originally recorded these tunes for the United label. They're being reissued by the Delmark label in Chicago).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews three albums that show the lasting influence of the blues in the genre that proceeded it. The artists he features are Big Joe Turner, Jay McShann, and Jeanie and Jimmy Cheatham.