Music

John McCutcheon performs two songs on his hammer dulcimer.

Poet Richard Hell. He moved to New York City in the 70s, intending to concentrate on poetry. But he was drawn to the emerging punk rock scene and quickly became one of its best known acts with his band Richard Hell and the Voidoids. He later landed roles in the films "Smithereens" and "Desperately Seeking Susan." He is writing poetry again, editing the new poetry journal Cuz, and running the poetry programs at the St. Marks Poetry Project.

Guitarist Ry Cooder. His career consisted of one-night stands until he began writing the scores for films. His credits include "Paris, Texas" and "Crossroads." He's just come out with a solo album, his fist in six years. (INTERVIEW BY LIANE HANSEN)

Two novelty tunes from the 20s and 30s performed by singer and songwriter Michael Cooney.

John Doe and Exene Cervenka, songwriters and vocalists with the L.A. rock band X. Their new album, their sixth, is called "See How We Are."

Siobhan Egan and Eileen Ivers, fiddle players who perform with "Cherish the Ladies," a touring ensemble of top Irish musicians. Both are American-born, and both emigrated to Ireland to pursue their musical education. Ivers earned All-Ireland fiddle champion honors for seven years in a row. They will perform a reel and a jig, accompanied on guitar by Mick Moloney.

August Darnell, lead singer of Kid Creole and the Coconuts. Kid Creole is the dapper stage persona of August Darnell, a wildly inventive showman whose music fuses salsa, rock, jazz, reggae, funk and rap. The group has found fame in Europe and South America, but success in America has proven elusive.

Henry Mancini, who's had a long career writing scores for movies and TV. He has composed some classic songs, such as "The Pink Panther," "Moon River," "The Days of Wine and Roses," and the themes for "Peter Gunn" and "Mr. Lucky." He had just done the music for the new film version of "The Glass Menagerie."

Singer Judy Collins. She's just written an autobiography; it's titled Trust Your Heart.

Brazilian guitarist Orlando Haddad performs two compositions.