Music

Two members of the punk rock group Fugazi: singer-guitarist Ian MacKaye and guitarist Guy Picciotto. The Washington, D.C. band has become internationally known despite the fact that the band refuses to sign with a major label. They abhor commercialism and stardom. The impassioned band sings on it's new album, "Steady Diet of Nothing," about having control of their own bodies, TV - "nothing going on in there," and about the supreme court, "Justice Brennan, I know it's not your fault." (the new album is on "Dischord Records.")

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews TWO new albums by Bruce Springsteen, "Human Touch," and "Lucky Town," -- his first out in almost five years.

Singer-songwriter Peter Case. He took a Greyhound to California in the 70s, played guitar on the streets of San Francisco, and later got involved in the L.A. band scene in the early 80s, where he started a band called The Plimsouls. Since then, he's had a solo career. His new album is called "Six Pack of Love" (it's on the Geffen label).

World music commentator Milo Miles explores the eerie music of the master musicians of Jajouka, Morocco.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a recording of Stan Getz and Kenny Barron called "People Time" (on the Gitanes Jazz label), billed as Getz's last recording before his death.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the restored score of Voltaire's "Candide," conducted by Leonard Bernstein a year before his death.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Planet of Love," by Jim Lauderdale and "Wynonna" by Wynonna Judd.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead muses on the importance of swing to jazz with two new releases, "The Jelly Roll Joys," by Dave Burrell (on the Gazell label), and "Eugene (1989)" by Anthony Braxton (on the Black Saint label).

Punk rocker and now actor John Doe of the soon to be reunited band, "X." Since the band broke up, he went solo with his own album, and took up acting. He's now starring in a new independent film, "Roadside Prophets," written and directed by Abbe Wool, who co-wrote the punk rock movie, "Sid & Nancy."

Ken Tucker reviews the new album by "Chic," called "Chic-ism."

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Bobby Robinson and his Harlem record labels which were responsible for such hits as "Kansas City," and "Fannie Mae," and for launching the career of Gladys Knight.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new reissue, "Original Dixieland Jazz Band, the 75th Anniversary." (on the RCA/Bluebird label).

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new collection of works by French composer Charles Koechlin ("Kuhch-LAN") performed by Boston Symphony flutist Fenwick Smith. (The album's called "Music for Flute" and it's on the Hyperion label).

World music critic Milo Miles reviews Kabu (kah-boo), the recent album from Ethiopian singer Aster Aweke (ah-ster ah-week-a).

TV Critic David Bianculli tells us about the new season of "MTV Unplugged," the music video network's one-hour acoustic music series. It begins this Wednesday with an acoustic concert by Eric Clapton.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new release, "Little Village," by Little Village, a new band made up of veteran rockers, Ry Cooder, John Hiatt, Nick Lowe, and Jim Keltner. (on Reprise).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Don Byron's debut album, "Tuskegee Experiments." (on the Elektra Nonesuch label).

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "England's Dreaming," Jon Savage's new book on the English punk movement.

World music critic Milo Miles checks out the pop music of Italy. Artists include: Lucio Dalla, Mango, and Angelo Branduari.

Composer Alan Menken. With his partner, the late lyricist Howard Ashman, Menken wrote the music for the Disney movies "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Little Mermaid." The pair also collaborated on the Broadway musical "Little Shop of Horrors." (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane).