Music

World music critic Milo Miles reviews the previously unreleased concert recording by Delta bluesman Skip James. It's called "She Lying."

An excerpt of a 1990 interview with jazz guitarist Jimmy Raney. He died May 9 at the age of 67.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new, ironically-titled release by Matthew Sweet, "100% Fun."

Jazz critic Kevin Whithead reviews the new CD by the British singer/songwriter and pianist Steve Beresford: "Steve Beresford Signals for Tea."

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the new Ethel Merman collection, "I Get a Kick Out of You."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Joan Osborne's debut album. He says it's slick and cliched -- and a sign of what's to come in popular music.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead discusses Dutch jazz. He's been spending a lot of time in the Netherlands to research the style.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz considers the changing reputation but enduring skill of Pierre Boulez who, after years dedicating himself to composition, has returned to conducting.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead has a tribute to Don Pullen, who died Saturday at age 53. The New York Times called Pullen "one of the major jazz pianists of his generation."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews two new releases by saxophonist James Carter: "The Real Quietstorm" and "JC on The Set."

Fresh Air rock critic Milo Miles looks back on the raucous 1950s band, the Treniers. He says they're all about "unrestrained celebration."

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers the Elvis contemporary and label-mate.

Record producer Willie Mitchell. A new retrospective album of the 60's and 70's "Hi Label" hits has been released. Mitchell was one of the hit makers for the Memphis-based label in its early days and later was the influential producer who made the sounds of soul greats Al Green, Ann Peebles and Otis Clay so well known.

World music critic Milo Miles remembers two musicians who were recently assassinated: Rachid Baba Ahmed, a producer and musician of Algerian Rai Music, and Tejano music's Selena.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews John Prine's new CD "Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings."

Classical music Critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new recording of a major Tchaikovsky opera that hasn't gotten much attention in the United States. It's called "Mazeppa."

Rock historian Ed Ward looks back on the West Coast label SST, which was responsible for launching the careers of several seminal punk and alternative bands.

Fresh Air rock historian Ed Ward takes a look at the record label, which emerged as a subsidiary of All Platinum Records. It promoted rap music soon after it first emerged in New York nightclubs.

Haggard has been on the country music scene since the early sixties and has more number one hits than any country music star except Conway Twitty. Recently, two tribute albums of his songs were released: Mama's Hungry Eyes and Tulare Dust. Haggard was also recently inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Rock historian Ed Ward continues this week's five part series on the influence of several key record companies on the music world. Today, Ward looks at Casablanca, a big producer of disco hits, and its founder Nick Bogart.