Rock

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the album "Nine Below Zero," by the trio of pianist Wayne Horvitz, cornettist Butch Morris and drummer Bobby Previte. Kevin says the album is one of the more successful attempts to humanize the new electronic instruments like synthesizers, drum machines and rhythm boxes.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the soundtrack for the movie "Less Than Zero." Though the movie was something of a flop, the soundtrack continues to produce hits.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the group Television, a band that helped launch the New York punk scene in the late-70s.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Letters from Mississippi", a new album from Eddie Hinton that blends rock, soul and rhythm and blues.

Rock historian Ed Ward plays songs by several top soul stars who got their start imitating Little Richard.

Duane Eddy, who is known for his famous twangy guitar sound. His hits from the fifties and sixties include "Rebel Rouser" and "(Dance with the) Guitar Man." On his new album, the first in a decade, he plays with guitarist Ry Cooder.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews the new album from the dB's, entitled "The Sound of Music." This is their fourth album, but the first to attract attention in the U.S.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Roky Erickson and the Thirteenth Floor Elevators, a sixties group that put Texas on par with the psychedelic bands from California.

Fresh Air's rock historian Ed Ward discusses the roots of his own musical tastes.

Paul Grushkin, author of a new book titled The Art of Rock, which traces the last 30 years of rock through the art designed to promote concerts.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker surveys his picks for the year's 10 best releases.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker continues his review of new recordings with a Christmas theme. His survey begins with the punk band The Ramones and ends with Prince.

Rock singer and songwriter Bryan Ferry. In the 1970s, he was the lead singer and principal songwriter for the British band Roxy Music, the band that also launched the career of Brian Eno.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews "Rainbow," the new album by Dolly Parton.

Rock historian Ed Ward will discuss the making of Phil Spector's Christmas Album, one of the most successful records of its kind.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker will review "A Very Special Christmas," the new charity record that features The Pretenders, U2, Bruce Springsteen and John Cougar Mellencamp.

Rock historian Ed Ward will profile The Standells. Their big hit was titled "Dirty Water." The group's name surfaced in the news recently when someone tried to impersonate Dick Dodd, the group's leader in an Austin, Texas nightclub.

Ken Tucker will review new home video releases, including the works of rock composer Frank Zappa.

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."

Guitarist Ron Wood. He spent 12 years as a member of the Rolling Stones, seven years with Rod Stewart's Faces and five years with The Jeff Beck Group. A book of his paintings and drawings has just been published. It's titled Ron Wood by Ron Wood: The Works.