Music

Rock Critic Ken Tucker considers two New York acts who are known for their humor: folk-singer Christine Lavin, and the eclectic rock group, They Might Be Giants. Lavin's album, "Attainable Love" is on Rounder Records. They Might Be Giants' album is "Flood," and it's on Elektra.

Television critic David Bianculli previews "Elvis," the new ABC series based on the life of the King of rock and roll. David says you would expect it to be horrible, but it turns out to be pretty good.

Writer, producer, and director Arthur Laurents. Laurents wrote the stories for the plays "Gypsy" and "West Side Story" and the screenplays for the movies "The Way We Were" and "The Turning Point." Laurents is currently directing the Broadway revival of "Gypsy," starring Tyne Daly.

Classical music Lloyd Schwartz reviews a series of compact disc reissues featuring violinist Joseph Szigeti (si-GETT-ee).

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles arranger and producer Thom (pronounced "tom") Bell. Bell's responsible for much of what came to be known as the "Philly" sound, a result of his work with groups such as the Delfonics and the Stylistics.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews two new albums by drummer Mel Lewis. Lewis has been leading a New York based band for more than 25 years.

World music critic Milo Miles samples film music from India.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews new albums from the rap acts "Jungle Brothers" and "3rd Bass."

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the work of pianist Leonard Shure. Shure turns 80 this spring, and Lloyd says the older Shure gets, the he gets. Lloyd particularly recommends the recordings Shure made for Audiofon about a decade ago.

Rock historian Ed Ward looks back at the birth of the country music industry, during the early days of Fiddlin' John Carson, A.P. Carter and his wife, Sarah, and the Tenneva Ramblers.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new CD by drummer Cecil Brooks III, "The Collective."

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new series of early operatic recordings reissued on the Nimbus. Lloyd says Nimbus went to extraordinary lengths to re-record these vintage performances from the first half of the century, and the care shows.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Ruth Brown. Back in the 50s, Brown was one of the country's top female R&B singer, with hits such as "So Long" and "Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a reissue of a 1957 album by bassist Wilbur Ware. Kevin says that year was the highlight of Ware's career--he recorded with Sonny Rollins and Thelonius Monk as well as recording his only album as a leader.

World Music Commentator Milo Miles reviews the music of Yugoslavian Jova "Besir" Stojiljkovic (YO-va BEE-sheer stoya-KOL-vich) and his brass orchestra.

Rock critic Ken Tucker checks out some of the albums getting heavy airplay on college radio. Ken says college radio used to be hip, but these days it's just as formulaic as Top 40.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz pays tribute to the late mezzo-soprano Jan DeGaetani (DEE-guy-tahny). DeGaetani died last September; Lloyd reviews her last album, just released by Bridge records. It contains works by Berlioz and Mahler.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the Lovin' Spoonful, who came out of the Greenwich Village folk music scene, but who owed more to Chuck Berry than to Appalachian ballad-singers.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new album from pianist Dick Hyman and cornetist Ruby Braff. The pair have been playing together off and on since the mid 70s. This time they've teamed up and revived an old jazz tradition, playing tunes from Broadway. The album's called "Music from My Fair Lady," and it's on Concord Jazz.

World music critic Milo Miles looks at the music of Tanzania, and he reviews the new album by Tanzanian musician, Remmy Ongala.