Music

From the new film "Illuminata," actor/director John Turturro and composer William Bolcom. The film is based on a stage play by Brandon Cole (who also wrote the screenplay with Turturro). Previously the two collaborated on the film "Mac." Bolcom won the Pulitzer Prize in Music in 1988 for his "Twelve New Etudes for Piano."

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers the blues label Excello.

Singer-songwriter and 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. He's released a number of solo albums, "Mirror Blue," and "Rumor and Sign". Rykodisc also compiled a retrospective of his work "Watching the Dark: The History of Richard Thompson," . Thompson's newest solo CD is "Mock Tudor" (Capitol)

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the debut album of singer Macy Gray, "Macy Gray On How Life Is."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "The Indo-Jazz Suite" (Koch) a reissue featuring Joe Harriott and John Mayer.

World music critic Milo Miles offers a tribute to South African singer "Mahlathini". He died last week at the age of 61. Simon Nkabinde Mahlathini (nicknamed "the Lion of Soweto") was best known for his lead vocals for the group Mahlathini and the Mhaotella Queens after emerging on the international stage with the 1985 sampler The Indestructible Beat of Soweto.

Rock historian Ed Ward reviews "On Broadway" (Britain's Westside label) a new collection of lesser-known pop treasures that came out of the Brill Building in the 1950s.

Critic Milo Miles tells us about the work of blues guitarist John Jackson whose latest album is "Front Porch Blues" (Alligator Records). He's also got two vintage collections: "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down" and "Country Blues and Ditties" (Arhoolie Records).

Music critic Ken Tucker reviews the latest CD by country music legend George Jones. Titled "Cold Hard Truth." Jones was involved in a serious car accident in March but is recovering.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Play" the latest release of techno-dance music by Moby.

Milo Miles reviews the tribute album "Bleecker Street: Greenwich Village in the 60s." (Astor Place Label).

Singer and songwriter Loudon Wainwright the Third. He has a new CD, "Social Studies," a collection of topical songs, many which were first featured on NPR's Morning Edition. Loudon Wainwright III grew up in the town of Bedford in wealthy Westchester County north of New York City. He became a folk singer/songwriter in the late '60s, singing humorous and autobiographical songs.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Randy Newman's new release "Bad Love" (on the Dreamworks label).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new album "Von & Ed" (Delmark) It features tenor saxophonists Von Freeman with Ed Petersen. A cd Whitehead says showcases the generational differences in jazz...between baby boomer Petersen, and Freeman who developed his style in the 1940's.

Music critic Milo Miles comments on a recent concert he went to featuring Brazilian pop singer Caetano Veloso. He's currently touring in the United States promoting his new album "Livro" on the Nonesuch label.

Jazz guitarists Jim Hall and Pat Metheny talk about their recent collaboration on the album "Jim Hall & Pat Mentheny" (Telarc) Hall emerged on the jazz scene in the late 1950's and went on to performed with such artists as Ella Fitzgerald, Sonny Rollins, Bill Evans, Art Farmer and Itzhak Perlman. Metheny's recording career took off in the 1970's and became so successful...that Guitar Player magazine called him the "Jazz Voice of the 80s." This newest recording is being hailed as a cross-generational summit of two exceptional jazz guitarists.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new PBS documentary "Uncommon Visionary" about the 20th century Polish-Jewish harpsicord prodigy Wanda Landowska (VAN-da lan-DOV-ska).

Clarinetist Ken Peplowski. The 40-year old jazz musician, has been playing the instrument since the age of 7, and went on to play in Benny Goodman's last band, and in the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (led by Buddy Morrow). Peplowski influences include Goodman, saxophonist Sonny Stitt, the Beatles, and Ornette Coleman He launched a successful solo career in the early 1980s and now has 16 albums to his credit. His latest is "Ken Peplowski: Last Swing of the Century-Big Band Music of Benny Goodman" (Concord Jazz).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Convergence" by Dave Douglas' quintet (Soul Note label)

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz comments on the news that Seiji Ozawa will leave in three years as Music Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. His tenure which began in 1973 is the longest of any music director currently active with an American orchestra. As for his next job, he says he will take over the Vienna State Opera. Ozawa was born in Shenyang, China.