Music

Trumpeter and composer Dave Douglas doesn't like to categorize music. He's currently fronting seven ensembles, of varying compositional, improvisational and instrumental styles, including the Dave Douglas String Group, the Tiny Bell Trio, and the Sextet. He's been a sideman with Don Byron, Myra Melford and Uri Caine. Douglas has many compositions and recordings to his credit. His latest recordings are "Songs for Wandering Souls" (Winter & Winter) by the Tiny Bell Trio, and "Convergence" (Soul Note) by the Dave Douglas String Group.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Remedy" the first full-length CD released in America by the British duo Basement Jaxx, consisting of the two DJs Simon Ratcliffe & Felix Buxton.

Choying Drolma is a Tibetan Buddhist nun who practices a contemplative system of Buddhism called Cho. As part of that system, she also sings religious songs and chants. Their music was recorded by guitarist Steve Tibbetts who then created guitar arrangements around it. The result was the CD "Cho" (newly released on Hannibal Records). Drolma is currently on tour with Tibbetts and her fellow nuns.

An interview with composer Philip Glass by his cousin Ira Glass, the host of "This American Life." The conversation was recorded on-stage in Chicago earlier this month.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new release by the Jeb Bishop Trio (Okkadisc label).

Composer and jazz pianist Uri Caine (ER-ee CANE). He's fronted and/or played with a number of groups. On his first two CDS as he a leader, "Sphere Music" and "Toys" he played homage to jazz pianists Thelonious Monk and Herbie Hancock. He's worked in groups led by Don Byron, Dave Douglas, Buddy DeFranco, Clark Terry and others. His latest release is "The Sidewalks of New York" which plays homage to turn of the century New York city and the songwriters of tin pan alley. (Winter & Winter label).

Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers the puns in country music.

Pop music critic Ken Tucker reviews two new CDs by artists on the outskirts of country music: "Onward Thru it All" by Jim Lauderdale and "Broken Things" by Julie Miller. Both releases feature work by guitarist, singer and songwriter Buddy Miller.

Singer and actor Kris Kristofferson. He can be seen in the recent John Sayles movie, "Limbo." And he has his first album out in about five years, "The Austin Sessions" (Atlantic). It features a new version of his song (known best for Janis Joplin's version) "Me And Bobby McGee" and teams him up with Jackson Browne and Vince Gill.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Rufus Thomas.

Roy A. Loney was lead singer (1965-1971) of the San Francisco band "Flamin' Groovies." Buddha Records has re-issued their albums "Flamingo" and "Teenage Head" Both out-of-print cult classics. After Loney left the band, he recorded with "Phantom Movers" and currently performs with his new band "Fondellas."

TV critic David Bianculli reviews VH-1's new movie "Ricky Nelson: Original Teen Idol" showing this weekend.

Rock historian Ed Ward has part II of his look at Excello records. A Nashville based blues studio that between 1952 and 1975 released hundreds of records that influenced performers from Elvis Presley to the Rolling Stones.

From the new film "Illuminata," actor/director John Turturro and composer William Bolcom. The film is based on a stage play by Brandon Cole (who also wrote the screenplay with Turturro). Previously the two collaborated on the film "Mac." Bolcom won the Pulitzer Prize in Music in 1988 for his "Twelve New Etudes for Piano."

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers the blues label Excello.

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson. He first became known for his work with "Fairport Convention." He's since gone solo and is known for his dark songs which blend elements of British folk ballads and the blues. He's released a number of solo albums, "Mirror Blue," and "Rumor and Sign". Rykodisc also compiled a retrospective of his work "Watching the Dark: The History of Richard Thompson," . Thompson's newest solo CD is "Mock Tudor" (Capitol)

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the debut album of singer Macy Gray, "Macy Gray On How Life Is."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "The Indo-Jazz Suite" (Koch) a reissue featuring Joe Harriott and John Mayer.

World music critic Milo Miles offers a tribute to South African singer "Mahlathini". He died last week at the age of 61. Simon Nkabinde Mahlathini (nicknamed "the Lion of Soweto") was best known for his lead vocals for the group Mahlathini and the Mhaotella Queens after emerging on the international stage with the 1985 sampler The Indestructible Beat of Soweto.

Rock historian Ed Ward reviews "On Broadway" (Britain's Westside label) a new collection of lesser-known pop treasures that came out of the Brill Building in the 1950s.