Music

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new collection, Nat King Cole: The Classic Singles

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Green's new album. The disc marks Green's return to secular music, as well as to his old producer, Willie Mitchell.

John Linnell and John Flansburgh, of They Might Be Giants, have just published a children's book (with companion CD) titled Bed, Bed, Bed. Linnell and Flansburgh have known each other since childhood. They started They Might Be Giants in Brooklyn, where they still have a phone machine called Dial-a-Song. You can call up every day and hear a new, original tune. TMBG has released numerous albums, including Factory Showroom, Mink Car and a children's record entitled No! Their best-of CD is Dial-a-Song: 20 Years of They Might Be Giants.

Rock historian Ed Ward talks about the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, a crazy, influential ensemble that reached its apex of popularity in swinging '60s London.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews In the Zone, the new album from pop star Britney Spears.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new release by tenor sax player Johnny Griffin and pianist Horace Parlan, Close Your Eyes.

Ken Tucker reviews Come Feel Me Tremble, the new solo album by Paul Westerberg, formerly of the '80s band the Replacements.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Want One, the third album by Rufus Wainwright.

She had several hits in the late '50s and early '60s, including "Mean Mean Man," "Let's Have a Party" and "Fujiyama Mama." In the '70s she kept recording music, mostly gospel. She's 65 now and still touring. She's just released her first studio recording in 15 years, Heart Trouble. Guest musicians, including Elvis Costello and The Cramps, join her for several tracks.

Summer grew up singing gospel in church choirs in Boston and, in her teens, joined the German cast of Hair. While abroad she recorded Love to Love You Baby, which became a huge hit. She returned to the United States a disco star. Her other hits include Bad Girls and Hot Stuff. She's written a new memoir about life in the disco spotlight called Ordinary Girl.