Music

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new DVD on the life of bluegrass cult figure Jimmy Martin.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Stardust: The Great American Songbook Volume 3 by Rod Stewart.

He supervised and conducted the music for the film adaptation of Chicago. His previous credits include the Broadway musicals Aida, Sunset Boulevard and Aspects of Love.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new CD by German Pianist and free jazz pioneer Alexander von Schlippenbach. His quartet's new CD is called Broomriding.

Rock critic KEN TUCKER considers the life and art of Michael Jackson and reviews his new album of greatest hits, “Number Ones.”

Rock historian Ed Ward tells us about the East LA band from the '60s, The Midniters.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new series of 20th century classical music performances on DVD called Classic Archives.

Lyricist Sammy Cahn is one of the last survivors of the Tin Pan Alley tradition. His popular hits include "Bei Mir Bist du Schon," "Come Fly With Me," "Let it Snow," and "Three Coins in a Fountain," among others. Cahn has also worked extensively with Frank Sinatra. He joins the show to discuss his career. (Segment)

We present two interviews from the archives: a 1987 concert featuring ballads and popular songs, and a 1988 Christmas concert performed by the jazz vocalist. She considered Billie Holliday her main influence. McCorkle died in May of 2001, of an apparent suicide.

Music critic Ken Tucker reveals his favorite rock, pop and R&B albums of the year. Tucker is TV critic for Entertainment Weekly.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead provides holiday gift suggestions. He reviews two CDs: Count Basie’s America’s #1 Band and MJQ, The Complete Modern Jazz Quartet Prestige and Pablo Recordings, and one combo CD/DVD, Monk in Paris: Live at the Olympia.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new CD from Randy Newman and the recent re-release from the Beatles Let it Be Naked.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the third album by the singer Pink.

Pop icon Tom Jones first gained fame with the 1960s hits "It's Not Unusual," "What's New Pussycat?" and "Delilah." In the last 40 years, he has released more than 30 hit singles and several gold and multi-platinum records. In his heyday, he was famous for live performances and the frenzy he caused among his female fans — many threw their underwear onstage and rushed the stage. Jones' name today connotes hipness and romance. His newest release, Reloaded: Greatest Hits, is made up of 19 new and re-mastered tunes.

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

His new book is Skylark: The Life and Times of Johnny Mercer. Furia documents the life of the legendary lyricist whose songs include Moon River, Come Rain or Come Shine and Skylark. From the 1930s to the 1950s, Mercer dominated the popular song charts. Furia is a professor of creative writing at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He's also written biographies of Irving Berlin and Ira Gershwin. The interview continues throughout the entire show.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new reissue of Blossom Dearie's 1959 album, My Gentleman Friend, on Verve records.

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.