Music

Ken Tucker reviews the new CD by Rufus Wainwright. Its called Poses.

Rock Critic, Ken Tucker Reviews the New Album from Missy Elliot, Miss E...So Addictive

Laurie Pepper is the wife of the late alto saxophonist Art Pepper, who died in 1982 and was considered to be the greatest alto saxophonist of the post-Charlie Parker generation. Laurie Pepper has just produced a box-set compilation of Art Pepper's music, called Art Pepper: The Hollywood All-Star Sessions. Terry talked with Pepper on the occasion of the updated version of her husband's autobiography, Straight Life which he wrote with the help of Laurie.

Rock historian Ed Ward on the B 52's.

He brings his guitar to the studio. His new album is Blue Boy. Elvis Costello has been a big supporter of Sexsmith, praising his songwriting abilities and bring him on tour as an opening act. Sexsmith has recorded three other albums. He hails from Toronto, Canada.

Music critic Milo Miles profiles singer Maria Muldaur, most famous for her 70s hit Midnight at the Oasis. She has a new album called Richland Woman Blues.

Broadway music director Paul Gemignani has been the musical director of almost every Stephen Sondheim work over the last 30 years. His other productions include Kiss Me, Kate, Crazy for You, and High Society. Next Sunday Gemignani will receive a lifetime achievement award at the Tony Awards.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Survivor the new release by Destinys Child.

Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews John Henry Days, the new book by Colson Whitehead.

Rock critic Ken Tucker pays tribute to Bob Dylan. Today is Dylan's 60th birthday.

Conductor Benjamin Zander, of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra. He has been called "a Pied Piper" of classical music and "one of music's evangelists." His passionate performances have earned him quite a following. Through his teaching and his pre-concert discussions, he has tried to spread his love of classical music to a wider public. He has conducted the Boston Philharmonic for over 20 years. He leads the Philharmonia Orchestra on a new CD Mahler: Symphony No. 5 and he has a new book, The Art of Possiblity: Transforming Professional and Personal Life.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead concludes his series Avant-Garde Made Easy with a review of the music of Misha Mengelberg.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the hit debut single of the girl-group Edens Crush and the new comeback CD God Bless the Go-Gos by (of course) the Go-Gos.

She's been called The Queen of Swing and The First Lady of Las Vegas. Smith is perhaps best known as the duet partner and wife of Louis Prima. Smith and Prima drew crowds to the lounges of Las Vegas in the 1950s. Their hits include Jump, Jive, an Wail, Just a Gigolo, Ive Got You Under My Skin, and That Old Black Magic. Smith talks about her marriage to Prima, the music they made together, and her career. Smiths newest CD is Keely Sings Sinatra

Music critic Milo Miles reviews the new documentary about Latin jazz, Calle 54.

Hal Blaine's distinctive sound could be heard on thousands of recordings from the late 1950s and on for 25 years. He played on the hit records, Be My Baby by The Ronettes, Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys, I Got You Babe, by Sony & Cher, Mr Tambourine Man, by The Byrds, Monday, Monday by the Mamas and the Papas, Strangers in the Night by Frank Sinatra, and many many more. Last year Blaine was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

No one in jazz was as far out and far in as tenor saxophonist Albert Ayler. Far out in terms of how he improvised. Far in, in terms of the songs he wrote to improvise on. They sounded like a jumble of bugle calls, national anthems, nursery rhymes and drinking songs. Music ran in the family. As a boy, Ayler had studied music and listened to jazz with his father, and they also played saxophone duets in church. As a memento, Albert later recorded an album of spirituals called Goin' Home.

Classical music critic Lloyd Shwartz reviews a new re-issue of the original cast recording of the 1943 revival of Rodgers & Hart's Connecticut Yankee

Kevin Whitehead continues his Avant Garde Made Easy series with a look at pianist Cecil Taylor.

Rock Critic Ed Ward on the music of the 60s band Love. Their album Forever Changes has just been reissued by Rhino.