Music

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews "Classics for Dummies" on CD-Rom on the EMI label.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Unchained Melody" (Curb) the new collection of early songs by the 14-year-old country singer LeAnn Rimes.

In light of the deaths of rappers Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur, a discussion on the culture of rap and the violence that surrounds it with Chicago police officer Eric Davis. He's a member of the rap group the Slick Boys. Davis and two other officers founded the group in 1991 to provide positive role models for the inner-city kids they encountered on their jobs every day. The group has received national acclaim for their songs about the importance of getting an education and staying off of drugs and out of gangs.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Pop" (Island Records) the newest release by the Irish rock band "U2", their first in four years. It incorporates a lot of techno elements and other contemporary influences.

Baker, one of America's great rhythm-and-blues singers of the 1950's, died earlier this week. She was 67. The Associated Press says the cause was heart complications. Baker was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. Her hits included "Tweedlee Dee," "Jim Dandy," and "I Cried a Tear." After living in the Philippines during the '70's and '80's, Baker made a comeback in the '90's when she appeared on Broadway in "Black and Blue." (REBROADCAST FROM 3/26/91).

Levin is a teacher in the Music Department of Dartmouth College and a longtime follower of the music of the Celtic lands, the Balkans, South Siberia, and other cultures. His new book "The Hundred Thousand Fools of God: Musical Travels in Central Asia" traces how the music of a culture lives through and reflects the lives of its people. He looks at how the Russian conquest of Central Asia at the end of the 19th century affected the music of the area.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the 4-CD box set "Count Basie: The Golden Years," which features recordings the pianist made after the age 70.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a recent concert of Australian pianist David Helfgott. The film "Shine" was based on Helfgott's life.

Music critic Ken Tucker reviews the new album "Endtroducing" by DJ Shadow. Tucker says this album signals a shift in hip-hop music away from gangsta rap towards a more instrumental form.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the new Great Performances special on PBS (March 7, 9PM most stations), "Ira Gershwin at 100: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall."

The 37-year old musician is a former member of the New York bands Last Roundup and the Shams. Her latest album is "Amy Rigby: Diary of a Mod Housewife." Rigby says a mod housewife is "woman being dragged kicking and screaming into adulthood." She also says her favorite subjects for songwriting are: "making a living, having a family, and trying to keep a sense of humor about it all." Most of her album is produced by Elliot Easton, guitarist for the Cars.

Critic Milo Miles on experimental acoustic guitarist John Fahey. Fahey's latest album is "City of Refuge."

We remember jazz drummer Tony Williams, who died of a heart attach Sunday at the age of 51. As a teen prodigy, Williams played with the Miles Davis Quintet, and later drummed with Jimi Hendrix and John Coltrane. (REBROADCAST from 5/25/90)

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Earthling," the latest album by David Bowie.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the re-issued CD "New and Old Gospel" by Jackie McLean. It was a collaboration with Ornette Coleman--who played trumpet during the session--and originally recorded in 1967.

Critic Milo Miles reviews the new collection by the Almanac Singers, an early urban folk group that included Woody Guthrie, Lee Hays, Pete Hawes, Millard Lampell and Pete Seeger. The CD is "The Almanac Singers: Their Complete General Recordings" (on MCA).

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Apollo Records. Many of their albums are being reissued by Delmark.

Jazz critic Kevin Whithead reviews Sun Ra's album "The Singles," which compiles songs he wrote in different styles, and that never made it onto his albums.

A concert and interview with singer Rosemary Clooney taped before a live audience in San Francisco, January 18th, as part of the City Arts & Lectures series. Clooney sings some of her best known songs, accompanied by a quintet directed by John Oddo. She also talks with Terry about her life. Her 1996 album "Dedicated to Nelson" has been nominated for a Grammy.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new album "Fountains of Wayne" (Atlantic) by the band Fountains of Wayne. He says it features "guitar-driven, hooky songs."