Music

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the jazz musician's new albums. Weston spent a spent a decade in Tangiers; Whitehead says you can hear the percussive influence of West African music in his performances.

Rock historian Ed Ward begins a two-part profile of the influential singer, songwriter, and guitar player. Mayfield was recently injured during a performance, and is now paralyzed.

Replacements singer and songwriter Paul Westerburg has a reputation for rawness and bad stage behavior -- as well a strong pop sensibility. His band has lasted over a decade, in part because of their willingness to mellow and evolve. The Replacements' new album is All Shook Down.

The American conductor and composer died yesterday at the age of 72. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz talks with Terry about Bernstein's life and legacy.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz remembers the great American singer, who died earlier this month at the age of 76. Unfortunately, few of her recordings are currently available.

The Fleetwood Mac founder and drummer has a new memoir about the romantic entanglements that tore apart the band. Despite their troubled history, they're on tour in support of a new album, Behind the Mask.

On the occasion of what would have been the Beatle's 50th birthday, rock historian Ed Ward considers what bands and song may have influenced Lennon before he started his legendary group with Paul McCartney.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says some of the best parts of classic songs like "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and "A Foggy Day" are the half-sung, almost-spoken introductions. But many singers skip them, opting to begin with the chorus. Whitehead remembers some of these forgotten intros.

Kaye played guitar in the Patti Smith Group and has recorded albums with his own band. He produced Suzanne Vega's first two albums, and more recently worked with Soul Asylum and Michelle Malone. Kaye compiled the 1960s garage rock anthology, Nuggets, and was the executive producer for the Elektra Records 40th anniversary compilation, Rubaiyat.

World music critic Milo Miles says no rock group has successfully integrated world music sounds into their music. But, in their latest album, The Royal Macadamian come close.

Unlike other blues musicians whose sound is rooted in a particular place, Cray moved around the country throughout his youth. His hits include such songs as "Smoking Gun" and "I Guess I Showed Her." He's got a new album now, Midnight Stroll, which revives the the style of 1960s soul.

Eno has released several albums of ambient music, which were inspired by the classical avant-garde. His new album, a collaboration with John Cale called Wrong Way Up, is a more conventional rock record. He has produced albums for many new wave and pop bands, including Devo, Talking Heads and the Penguin Cafe Orchestra.

Kaurismaki's films draw on European literature, American pop culture and Scandinavian culture. A prolific director, he may be best known in the United States for his 1989 film Leningrad Cowboys Go America, about a failing rock band. Kaurismaki and his brother are responsible for half the Finnish film industry's output.

Rock critic Ken Tucker respects the the role the premiere African American rock band plays in popular culture -- he only wishes they wouldn't re-appropriate so much bad heavy metal. Lyrically, Living Colour's new album, Time's Up, critiques the racism prevalent in rock music.

Kevin Whitehead doesn't like to admit liking new anthologies by Lester Lanin, whom he calls the king of blandness, and "crass and lowbrow" singer Jerry Lewis.

Maceo Parker was a member of James Brown's horn section. Parker was hired along with his brother, but soon made a name for himself. His new album is a straightforward jazz record, called Roots Revisited.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new CD collecting Boulez-led performances of works by, modern composers like Varese, Ligeti, and Webern. Schwartz says you'd be hard-pressed to find a better guide to this often difficult music.

Carter was once considered too rock for country and too country for rock. But she says country music has come around to her distinctive sound. Carter is the daughter of June Carter Cash, and sang on the road with the Carter Family. Her new album is called I Fell in Love.

Organist Augie Meyers and singer and guitarist Freddy Fender both had long, successful careers before collaborating in their new Tex-Mex band.

World music commentator Milo Miles reviews the career of the Afropop pioneer. Dibango grew up in Cameroon, played jazz in Paris, and later returned to his home country. He performs in a wide range of styles, from soul to smooth jazz.