Music

Shock-rock star Marilyn Manson has developed a following as a cross-dressing, anti-Christ. He's been likened to Alice Cooper for his ghoulish theatricality. He's also been the subject of Senate subcommittee hearings, and his concerts have been banned. His 1996 album "Antichrist Superstar" was a hit. He's written his autobiography "The Long Hard Road out of Hell" (Regan Books) about his childhood as Brian Wagner in a dysfunctional home in Canton, Ohio.

Rock historian Ed Ward considers the music of Mardi Gras.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews conductor Pierre Boulez's recording of Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique by the Cleveland Orchestra (Deutsche Grammophon). It received a Grammy nomination for Best Classical Recording of the Year.

Music critic Milo Miles reviews "Hwy X" (Omnium Records) by the Reptile Palace Orchestra from Wisconsin, and "Karnak" (Tinder Records) by the band named Karnak from Brazil.

In the movie "Titanic," the band's last song is "Nearer My God To Thee." But Ian Whitcomb says it's not true. Whitcomb is an expert on early 20th century pop music. His new CD "Titanic" features some of the songs performed by the band on the Titanic, with the same arrangements they used.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews two recent releases: Jim Lauderdale's "Whisper," and Buddy Miller's "Poison Love". Both albums have been categorized as "alternative country" and Tucker says in a time of "overblown big stars" that label may be a marketing enhancement.

Writer Susan J. Miller talks about her new book "Never Let Me Down: A Memoir" published by Henry Holt. Her story recounts how at the age of 21 years-old her whole sense of self was changed when her father revealed he had been a heroin addict for 15 years. Miller lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Excerpts from her memoir have appeared in Harper's and Granata. This is her first book.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews two new collections of singer Ted Hawkins who died three years ago at the age of 59. "The Ted Hawkins Story: Suffer No More" Rhino Records and "Ted Hawkins: The Final Tour" Evidence Records.

Critic Milo Miles reviews the reissue of "Sex & Soul" (Polymedia/Collectibles) a album first released in 1974 on Mercury by Roy C, otherwise known as Roy Charles Hammond. Roy C said it was his concept album about infidelity.

Former lead singer for the '60s British pop group "The Zombies" Colin Blunstone. The group's hits include "She's Not There," "You've Really Got a Hold On Me" and "Time of the Season." There's a new anthology of the group's recordings "The Zombies: Zombie Heaven" (Big Beat label).

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Musings of a Creek Dipper" (Atlantic) the new release of singer Victoria Williams, who was part of this summer's Lilith Tour.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the double CD "New Forms" by British artist Roni (Ronny) Size. Size and his group just won England's most prestigious pop-music award, the Mercury Music Prize.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new release of music by the little-known American pianist George Copeland. It's a 2-CD set of his complete Victor recordings from the 1930s on the Pearl label. They are the first of his work to be back in print.

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Carl Perkins died yesterday at the age of 65. He died of complications from a series of strokes. Perkins is the pioneer of a style of music called Rockabilly, which is described as "a country man's song with a black man's rhythm." He's the man who wrote "Blue Suede Shoes," the hit song sung by Elvis Presley which became the first Sun label record to sell over a million copies.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews "At First Light" (Archetype Records), a new recording of music by composer John Harbison with singers Lorraine Hunt, Dawn Upshaw, and oboist Peggy Pearson.

Langford, who co-founded the British punk band, now lives in the US. He's plays in the country-inspired band the Waco Brothers. Langford is also a visual artist. and, under the pen name Chuck Death and draws the comic Great Pop Things, which is published in the LA Weekly, and collected in the new book. "Great Pop Things: The Real History of Rock n Roll from Elvis to Oasis" (Verse Chorus Press) Langford has just released his first solo CD called: "Skull Orchard."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Garth Brooks new recording, "Sevens"

Record producer Nick Venet. He has produced more than 300 albums in his career and has collected numerous Grammy nominations and awards. He is co-producer of a new Bobby Darin box set (Rhino). Venet was also Darin's producer and friend. Venet died last week. (Rebroadcast of 3/19/1996)

Gwendolin Sims Warren has performed with the Metropolitan Opera and the Boston Symphony and has sung in opera houses in Europe, but she's most at home singing in church. She's the daughter and granddaughter of ministers. Now she's the minister of music and choir director at the Allen AME Church in Queens, New York. She's compiled 101 best-loved Psalms, Gospel hymns and spirituals of the African American church in her new book "Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit." We invited her to talk about and sing some of those songs.

Drummer Elvin Jones recently celebrated his 70th birthday. His most influential work was with John Coltrane from 1960 to '66. Their Village Vanguard sessions were recently re-released in a CD box set.