Music

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the New York band's newest release, which is at once loud, political, and personal.

Rock historian Ed Ward looks back at the Troggs, who celebrate their 26th anniversary in the rock and roll business this year. He says they were "a bunch of incompetent goofballs" -- and that made them good.

Rock critic Ken Tucker tells us about two of his favorite hits from the summer. He thinks Tom Cochrane's "Life is a Highway" is a triumph of rock and roll cliches, while En Vogue's cover Aretha Franklin's "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" is the "dreamiest hit of the year."

Haden was part of saxophonist Ornette Coleman's legendary free jazz ensemble. Haden has also worked with John Coltrane and Keith Jarrett. Later, he formed the Liberation Music Orchestra with composer Carla Bley, and then the group Old And New Dreams. His latest ensemble is Quartet West. They have a new album "Haunted Heart," which is inspired by movies and music from the 1940s.

Rock critic Ken reviews the new album by Jennifer Warnes, The Hunter. In recent years, Warnes' found modest success with an album of Leonard Cohen songs and some film soundtrack work.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead tells us about the unethical practice by record producers of scavenging their vaults for unreleased music by deceased musicians. Two recent examples are "Doo-Bop," featuring Miles Davis, and "Youkali," a Jim Hall album featuring Chet Baker.

Rich got his start working with the Sun record label in the late 50s, writing tunes for Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash. From there he began making records himself. In the 70s his songs, "The Most Beautiful Girl," and "Behind Closed Doors," were big country-pop hits. During the 80s he dropped out of sight. But he has a new album now, "Pictures And Paintings," of jazz and blues standards.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews two new CDs of Beethoven Sonatas with Andrew Rangell on piano.

A concert and interview with Louisiana born singer/songwriter Lucinda Williams. She's joined by guitarist Gurf Morlix. Her influences include Bob Dylan, Delta Blues man, Robert Johnson, Van Morrison, and writers Flannery O'Connor and Eudora Welty. In the late 70s she made two obscure folk albums. But she didn't really find her own voice until 1988 when she produced her self-titled album. Her new record is called "Sweet Old World."

Jazz critic Kevin Whithead reviews the new reissue of the live recording "Jimmy Guiffre 3, 1961," which, contrary to the neo-traditionalism of artists like Wynton Marsalis, incorporates many classical and avant garde influences.

Adams plays keyboards in the cult band. They have a new album out called "Honest Dollar," which features some of the band's live recordings.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the record curated by Roseanne Cash, whose own contribution sets a high standard for the album.

World music critic Milo Miles surveys the work of Caetano Veloso. Miles says that, of the musician's many albums, each features both knockout songs and slow bores. But that doesn't diminish from his cultural impact -- and ever improving output.

Cage died yesterday at the age of 79. The New York Times wrote that Cage "started a revolution by proposing that composers could jettison the musical language that had evolved over the last seven centuries, and in doing so he opened the door to Minimalism, performance art and virtually every other branch of the musical avant-garde." His compositions include spoken texts, radios, toys and the sounds of vegetables being chopped. In honor of his passing, we present highlights of his 1982 interview with Terry Gross.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new recording by the Lydian String Quartet, featuring some of the late composer's chamber music.

Rock historian Ed Ward fills us in on the whereabouts of the eccentric musician Arthur Brown, known for his sole hit, "Fire." Brown just happens to live in the same Austin neighborhood as Ward.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews two new albums, one by the Black Crowes, and the other by the former drummer for the Replacements, Chris Mars. The Crowes can't break free from their 70s influences, but Mars uses his to shape something all his own.

Feuer co-produced the original "Guys & Dolls" on Broadway, which is currently in revival. He also produced 11 other Broadway musicals with Ernest Martin, including "Can-Can," "The Boyfriend," and "Silk Stockings." They also produced the film versions of "Cabaret," and "A Chorus Line."

When the hit rap song "The Message," by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, came out ten years ago, many rappers were inspired by its political message. Now "The New Message," an updated version has been released. Melle Mel was featured on both songs. He joins Fresh Air to talk about the direction of rap music today.