Folk & Bluegrass

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Bruce Springsteen's album "The Ghost of Tom Joad."

Critic Milo Miles reviews "Blues, Rags, and Hollers," a reissue of a 1963 debut album of Koerner, Ray, and Glover (Red House Records Elektra).

American folk singer Rosalie Sorrels may not be wildly famous but since the 1960s she's developed a near cult like following. Her admirers describe Sorrels as someone who has lived the life she now sings about. In fact, she was immortalized in a song by Nanci Griffith describing Sorrels as "Salt of the earth.....with a voice like wine." .Her newest CD is "Borderline Heart" by Green Linnet Records Inc. The book "Way Out in Idaho" is a collection of her poems, songs and recipes.

Ben Sandmel and Luderin Darbone are two members of the Cajun band "The Hackberry Ramblers." Darbone is a founding member of the band who is now in his 80s. The Ramblers started in 1933 in Louisiana. The Ramblers were among the first Cajun bands to abandon the accordion's dominance for the more American guitar-fiddle string band sound. In 1993, The Ramblers released their first album in 30 years titled "Cajun Boogie." prior to this album the Ramblers recorded on the Bluebird Label.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews Julian Schnabel's, new album "Every Silver lining has a Cloud."

Milo Miles reviews an anthology of music by the original bluegrass pioneer. Monroe is also featured in the film "High Lonesome."

Rock critic Ken Tucker has a review of Bob Dylan's "Greatest Hits Volume Three."

World music critic Milo Miles discusses how gnawa music has been "discovered" by mainstream groups.

World music critic Milo Miles admits he doesn't know much about Flamenco music. But he likes what he hears on the new anthology Duende.

A concert and interview with singer/songwriter and musician Dave Alvin. He's best known for his guitar "firepower" with the Blasters (for which he was also primary composer and songwriter). He also had a short stint with the band X. Alvin went solo a few years ago, and began honing his voice. He's just released his third solo album -- his first acoustic one -- "King of California" (HighTone Records).

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new Bob Dylan album, "World Gone Wrong." (Columbia)

Banjo player Tony Trischka. He's been called the "premier banjo madman of our time." Trischka incorporates jazz and rock and roll into his style, with bluegrass at the heart of his music. TTrischka's new album, "World Turning" (Rounder Records), is a "loose history of the banjo" with everything from an African banjo tune to banjo Dixieland style. He has a number of albums out on the Rounder label.

Rock historian Ed Ward discusses a record collection that "changed his life," "The Anthology of American Folk Music."

A concert with the McGarrigle sisters, Kate and Anna. There are new CDs of their first two albums, released in the late 70s: "Kate & Anna McGarrigle" and "Dancer with Bruised Knees." The McGarrigles are known for their close and "subtle harmony." Their music is considered hard to categorize, although it sounds folky. The sisters absorbed an eclectic blend of music when they were growing up in Canada: Victorian ballads, blues, jazz, French-Canadian folk songs, Broadway tunes, and country music.

Among his many roles in entertainment, Shearer is also one of the creators of and performers in the mock-rock group Spinal Tap. He also does several voices on "The Simpsons." Shearer has a new book of the columns he wrote for the Los Angeles Times Magazine. He'll also be appearing tomorrow at The Museum of Television & Radio in New York City, to talk about his work on "Saturday Night Live" and his syndicated radio program, "Le Show."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews new CDs by two women artists who go beyond their country-singer label: "Everytime You Say Goodbye," by Allison Krauss, and "Culture Swing," by Tish Hinojosa.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new release by singer/songwriter/poet Leonard Cohen.

World music critic Milo Miles tells us about Fellow Travellers, an English acoustic band who blends reggae with country music.

Wainwright is best known for his 1973 hit "Dead Skunk ." Considered by many to be a satirical and caustic folksinger, his latest album, History, is a highly personal album. He sings frankly about marriage, parenthood, and child abuse.

World music critic Milo Miles reviews "Mambo" by Remmy Ongala, which features polyrhythmic folk sounds and smart lyrics about the social issues affecting his home country of Tanzania.