Music

Our rock historian Ed Ward has a profile of Sleepy John Estes. He was one of the trailblazers whose songs become American classics. After years of subsistence farming following his initial success, Estes was rediscovered, and made a good living playing in and around Chicago.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the song "Read My Lips" by the group A Thousand Points of Night -- which is actually musician and producer Don Was. The song samples President Bush making a number of contradictory statements.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the new CD, Tippecanoe & Tyler Too! It features political ballads and campaign songs from earlier in America's history.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviewed "Now & Now," the new, varied, and rambunctious album by the Myra Melford Trio.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Tom Wait's new album, "Bone Machine," which Tucker says brings a new freshness and humor to the singer and songwriter.

Fresh Air producer Amy Salit interviews Linda McCartney. She has a new book of photographs, "Linda McCartney's Sixties: Portrait of An Era." The book is a collection of photographs taken of rock groups and personalities from the decade. She's married to Beatles' bassist Paul McCartney.

Rock historian Ed Ward tells us about the infamous "riot" on Sunset Strip and how it galvanized and inspired Los Angeles bands.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new album and a reissue by singer Betty Carter.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the New York band's newest release, which is at once loud, political, and personal.

Rock historian Ed Ward looks back at the Troggs, who celebrate their 26th anniversary in the rock and roll business this year. He says they were "a bunch of incompetent goofballs" -- and that made them good.

Rock critic Ken Tucker tells us about two of his favorite hits from the summer. He thinks Tom Cochrane's "Life is a Highway" is a triumph of rock and roll cliches, while En Vogue's cover Aretha Franklin's "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" is the "dreamiest hit of the year."

Haden was part of saxophonist Ornette Coleman's legendary free jazz ensemble. Haden has also worked with John Coltrane and Keith Jarrett. Later, he formed the Liberation Music Orchestra with composer Carla Bley, and then the group Old And New Dreams. His latest ensemble is Quartet West. They have a new album "Haunted Heart," which is inspired by movies and music from the 1940s.

Rock critic Ken reviews the new album by Jennifer Warnes, The Hunter. In recent years, Warnes' found modest success with an album of Leonard Cohen songs and some film soundtrack work.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead tells us about the unethical practice by record producers of scavenging their vaults for unreleased music by deceased musicians. Two recent examples are "Doo-Bop," featuring Miles Davis, and "Youkali," a Jim Hall album featuring Chet Baker.

Rich got his start working with the Sun record label in the late 50s, writing tunes for Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash. From there he began making records himself. In the 70s his songs, "The Most Beautiful Girl," and "Behind Closed Doors," were big country-pop hits. During the 80s he dropped out of sight. But he has a new album now, "Pictures And Paintings," of jazz and blues standards.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews two new CDs of Beethoven Sonatas with Andrew Rangell on piano.

A concert and interview with Louisiana born singer/songwriter Lucinda Williams. She's joined by guitarist Gurf Morlix. Her influences include Bob Dylan, Delta Blues man, Robert Johnson, Van Morrison, and writers Flannery O'Connor and Eudora Welty. In the late 70s she made two obscure folk albums. But she didn't really find her own voice until 1988 when she produced her self-titled album. Her new record is called "Sweet Old World."

Jazz critic Kevin Whithead reviews the new reissue of the live recording "Jimmy Guiffre 3, 1961," which, contrary to the neo-traditionalism of artists like Wynton Marsalis, incorporates many classical and avant garde influences.

Adams plays keyboards in the cult band. They have a new album out called "Honest Dollar," which features some of the band's live recordings.