Music

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz has a review of a never-before-recorded Kurt Weill (Vile) opera. Weill is best-known for his collaborations with playwright Bertolt Brecht, such as "The Threepenny Opera" and "The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahogany".

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward talks about what happened to the blues from 1966 to the present. They were supposed to be dead during this period, but he says there are some eternals that keep going on no matter what.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead tells us about a milestone in jazz history -- the 50th anniversary of tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins' recording of "Body and Soul." He says Hawkins was the best tenor saxophonist ever...and "Body and Soul" was his greatest masterpiece.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews a new David Bowie CD collection. The 46-song retrospective includes Bowie classics like "Space Oddity" and "Changes," as well as some music that's never been released before.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new RCA Victor recording called Marian Anderson: Bach, Brahms, Schubert. The album also includes a recording of Marion Anderson's 1955 debut performance at the Metropolitan Opera singing an aria from Verdi's "A Masked Ball".

Rock historian Ed Ward investigates the little known original versions of some of rock's most classic songs. Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, and Jerry Lee Lewis' covers are discussed.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Straight, No Chaser", the new documentary on jazz pianist, Thelonious Monk.

Jazz pianist Kenny Barron pays tribute to jazz great Thelonious Monk.

Fresh Air's world music explorer Milo Miles introduces us to Soukous (sue-cooes), pop music from Zaire.

Rock Historian Ed Ward profiles Stu Sutcliffe, a forgotten early member of the Beatles.

Classical Music critic Lloyd Schwartz looks at how different recorded performances of music can influence a listener's understanding of the piece.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Covert Action," the new album by french horn player Tom Varner.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Oh, Mercy," the new album by Bob Dylan.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new release of Mozart's comic opera, "The Abduction from the Seraglio." It's a 1961 performance of a little known German comedy by Mozart, but Lloyd says it compares favorably with his best known Italian works.

Rock historian Ed Ward looks back to the dawn of the British punk scene, and the creation of acts such as the Sex Pistols, the Clash, Billy Idol, and Siouxie and the Banshees.

World music critic Milo Miles introduces us to the music of Cheb Khaled. Khaled is a leading performer of Raï, a type of music popular in Algeria.

Kevin Whitehead reviews composer and saxophonist John Zorn's new album "Spy vs Spy."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews new albums by Webb Wilder and the quintet Billy Hill. Webb Wilder's "Hybrid Vigor" is an outsider's eccentric blend of rock and roll livened up with country, blues and rockabilly. Billy Hill has produced an album with a different type of eccentricity --they're Nashville insiders whose oddball act gives an edge to their country music.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new album by pianist Garrick Ohlsson. Ohlsson has a reputation for highlighting obscure works; this time Ohlsson performs a little-known work by Debussy, as well as one of Debussy's most famous pieces.

Rock historian Ed Ward examines the other side of Sly Stone. In the 60s and 70s Stone was the flamboyant leader of the group Sly and the Family Stone, but he was also an accomplished record producer.