Music

In celebration of the centennial of George Gershwin's birth, (Saturday, September 26th) a talk with two Gershwin experts: Robert Kimball, artistic advisor to the Gershwin estate, and author of "The Gershwins" (out of print) and editor of "The Complete Lyrics of Ira Gershwin" (De Capo Press, paperback). Also Edward Jablonski, author of "Gershwin: With a New Critical Discography" (De Capo Press, paperback). Also we'll hear some rare Gershwin songs.

Critic Ken Tucker reviews the ex-Fugees member's debut record.

Adams died Monday at the age of 67. We present a rebradcast of an interview with Adams that took place in December of 1997. He was one of songwriter Doc Pomus' favorite singers. He recorded a collection of Doc Pomus songs, "Johnny Adams sings Doc Pomus: The Real Me." His most recent album is "Man of My Word," released in August (Rounder). Adams died of cancer. (Originally aired 12/12/97)

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers country music pioneers the Delmore Brothers.

Rock critic Ken Tukcer reviews "Whitechocolatespacegg" (Matador Records) by Liz Phair.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews some reissues of music from Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess." They are: the first complete recording of Porgy and Bess, reissued in Sony's Masterworks Heritage Series, and Selections from Porgy and Bess with Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops, on Telarc.

Music critic Ken Tucker reviews the new album of songs about infidelity by a group called "The Wandering Eyes." It's titled "The Wandering Eyes Sing Songs of Forbidden Love."

Born in 1937 in Littlefield, Texas, Jennings was a disc jockey at 14, and had already formed his own band at the age of 12, making guest appearances on local station KDAV's "Sunday Party," where he met Buddy Holly in 1955. Jennings became Holly's bass player. It was Jennings who gave his seat up to the Big Bopper on the plane which crashed later killing Buddy Holly.

Sherman has a new album called "A Lady Must Live." She has been a long-time favorite of Manhattan's night life. Her new album features many American classic songs by Kurt Weill, Ira Gershwin, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn and Cole Porter.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the hip hop group's latest, "Hello Nasty."

Legendary composer, producer, arranger and performer Brian Wilson, formerly of the Beach Boys. He's just come out with his first solo album of new material in ten years. It's "Imagination" (Giant).

Rock historian Ed Ward talks about Swamp Pop, a genre developed in Louisiana by kids who rejected both creole and country music.

Ken Tucker reviews Marshall Crenshaw's latest CD "The Nine Volt Years."

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz just returned from Tanglewood, where composer Elliot Carter was a guest of honor at the Festival Of Contemporary Music. Carter will be 90 on December 11, 1998, and his birthday has been celebrated all year long in recordings and performances. Schwartz has a review of the Tanglewood performance.

World music critic Milo Miles reviews "Vaya Rumba! Fiery Rhythms From The Heart of Catalonia." (Music Club) It's a compilation of Spanish rumba tunes.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Eddie Harris's newest cd "Greater than the Sum of His Parts."

Rock historian Ed Ward tells us the tale of Joe Tex, a black man who longed to be a country singer, a preacher who renounced Christianity, and a life-long teetotaler who died of drug and alcohol abuse.

Russian composer Alfred Schnittke died Monday. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reflects on the his life and legacy.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews a new release of previously unheard Woody Guthrie lyrics put to music by British folksinger-songwriter Billy Bragg. Bragg composed music for the lyrics with the help of the American band Wilco. It's called "Mermaid Avenue." (Elektra)

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews three new CDs by clarinetist Ben Goldberg: "12 Minor" (Avant); "Here by Now" (Music & Arts) and "What Comes Before" (Tzadik).