Music

Commentator Milo Miles reviews two new re-releases of singer Tracy Nelson's earlier recordings with the band Mother Earth. Nelson is still making albums today, but Miles says they don't have the same looseness and charm as these reissues.

A live concert in the WHYY Forum with jazz clarinetist Don Byron and his "Bug Orchestra." On their new recording "Bug Music," they play the music of The Raymond Scott Quintette, John Kirby & His Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Orchestra -- and a lot of cartoon music. Byron has become best known for playing klezmer, but musically he's all over the map: he plays jazz with his Don Byron Quintet, modern classical music with the Semaphore quintet, and he toured Europe with Music for Six Musicians, an Afro-Cuban ensemble.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the honky-tonk artist Johnny Paycheck's "The Real Mr. Heartache," a reissue of his recordings from the 1960s.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new release by the acclaimed record producer, called "The Day."

Record produce and songwriter Neil Innes is a member of The Rutles, the band which he and Eric Idle of Monty Python that spoofed the Beatles. The band has recently been reunited and has a new collection called "Archaeology." The Rutles first came to the attention of the public in 1978 when their spoof documentary "All You Need is Cash" aired. Innes also co-founded the comedy group The Bonzo Dog Band.

Born in Connecticut, Brubeck is the son of jazz pianist Dave Brubeck. He's been involved in classical music since college at Yale, and is a member of the Berkeley Symphony. In addition, he performs jazz both locally and internationally, composes for Club Foot Orchestra and leads the group Oranj Symphonette. Their debut album is"Oranj Symphonette Plays Mancini," which features original interpretations of the easy listening music of Henry Mancini.

Rock historian Ed Ward tells us about surf music. The genre's had a resurgence, in part because of it's use in Quentin Tarantino's film "Pulp Fiction."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "The Sun Died," by tenor saxophonist Ellery Eskelin. It's a tribute to to the late musician Gene Ammons.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews classic opera re-releases from the Sony Masterworks Heritage Vocal Series.

Lane died yesterday at the age of 84. His wife says he suffered a stroke. He's written the scores for several Broadway shows, including "Finian's Rainbow" and "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever." Lane collaborated with Michael Feinstein on the album, "Michael Feinstein Sings the Burton Lane Songbook", which features many of Lane's classic songs, such as "Old Devil Moon" and "How About You." This interview originally aired 11/5/90.

A review of the year's best pop music with critic Ken Tucker. He'll talk with Terry about his favorite albums and artists.

An in-studio concert and interview with singer/songwriter, guitarist Richard Thompson. He first became known for his work with "Fairport Convention." He's since gone solo and is known for his dark songs which blend elements of British folk ballads and the blues.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews one of his favorite albums of the year, "Odelay" by Beck. Tucker says it took him repeated listens to truly appreciate the artist's craft.

Film critic John Powers review the new Australian film "Shine." The story was inspired by the troubled life of classical pianist David Helfgott.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new collection of the albums and unreleased recordings of Miles Davis' work with arranger Gil Evans.

Critic David Bianculli reviews several new CD's that feature some of the all-time favorite TV themes.

For 26 years, Maurice Levine has been director of the 92nd Y's "Lyrics & Lyricist" series. It spotlights American lyricists and composers like Alan Jay Lerner, Stephen Sondheim, and Dorothy Fields. The series has consistently been a sell-out. Levine has also served as musical director/conductor/vocal arranger for Broadway shows and produced for television.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new, sprawling album by the artist formerly known as Prince, called "Emancipation."

Rock historian Ed Ward tells us about bass player Carol Kaye, who he says, in the early 1960s, "virtually invented electric bass playing."

Laura Joplin is the younger sister of the rock legend Janis Joplin. Her new book, "Love XX Janis," was inspired by a bundle of letters Laura found of her sister's. This is the first time the letters are published. Laura is six years younger than Janis, and was 21 when Janis died. There's a new episode of the VH1 documentary series "Legends" about Janis Joplin, in which Laura reads some of the letters of her sister.