Music

Journalist and biographer Nick Tosches. His new biography is "Dino: Living High in the Dirty Business of Dreams," (by Doubleday). It's about singer Dean Martin but it also looks at the culture that created him. He was part of the mob culture, and Hollywood's "Rat Pack." The book also delves into the reasons for the infamous breakup between Dean Martin and his comedy partner, Jerry Lewis. Dean Martin is now 75 years old.

A concert and interview with Shirley Horn. Playing with her will be drummer Steve Williams and bassist Charles Ables. HORN recorded with Miles Davis and Quincy Jones in the 1960s and sang on the movie soundtrack of "For Love of Ivy." After a hiatus in which she stayed home and raised her daughter, she returned to performing and recording in 1988. Her 1991 album, "You Won't Forget Me," brought together Toots Thielemans, Buck Hill, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, and Miles Davis. The album was nominated for a Grammy.

Rock critic Ken Tucker confronts the success of Billy Ray Cyrus.

Rock historian Ed Ward looks at some pop singers who got their start in gospel. Artists discussed include Sam Cooke, Johnny Taylor, The Five Royales, Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls, James Brown, and Shirley Ceasar.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews two recent reissues of violinist Joseph Szigeti playing Bach. Lloyd says that Szigeti was one of the 20th centuries Bach pioneers.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead discusses Marty Ehrlich's album "Side by Side."

Greg Tate is an African-American journalist who writes for the Village Voice. Under the guise of writing about a single subject, often a musician or artist, Tate's essays branch out and explore culture, politics and economic issues. He's written about topics as diverse as African musician King Sunny Ade ("ah-DAY"), the crisis of the black intellectual, and the cultural significance of writer Don DeLillo. A collection of his essays is now available. It's called "Flyboy in the Buttermilk: Essays on Contemporary America." (Fireside/Simon & Schuster)

World music critic Milo Miles profiles veteran Zaire performer, Papa Wemba.

Concert and interview with composer Anthony Davis and performers from his new opera, "Tania," -- Soprano Cynthia Aaronson, bass/baritone Mark Doss, and pianist Alan Johnson. Davis's opera premiered this week at the American Music Theatre Festival in Philadelphia. "Tania," is loosely based on the Patty Hearst story.

Drummer and composer Bobby Previte. He's ranks among the best known of Jazz's new generation of composers. In 1991 "Rolling Stone Magazine," named him their "Hot New Jazz Artist." His most recent project is the score for the Moscow Circus. He was in Russia late last summer working with the Circus's musicians when the coup attempt took place. He's collaborated on albums with such musicians as John Zorn, Wayne Horvitz, Butch Morris, and Elliot Sharp, and has released six albums for his own bands.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews two new come-back albums by 70s singers Ann Peebles and Otis Clay, ("Full Time Love," and "I'll Treat You Right," both on the Bullseye Blues Label - a subsidiary of Boston's Rounder Records)

Composer John Corigliano, Composer-in residence with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. His composition "Symphony No. 1" is Corigliano's personal statement about the AIDS crisis. The first three movements of the Symphony are dedicated to three of his lifelong musician-friends who died of AIDS. Corigliano was inspired to write the composition after seeing the AIDS memorial quilt. (Corigliano: Symphony No. 1, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Barenboim -- on the Erato Label, #2292-45601-2).

Rock historian Ed Ward reacquaints us with music from Seattle over the past 30 years.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new release by the Beastie Boys, "Check Your Head. (Capitol Records)

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new Whoopi Goldberg movie, "Sister Act." (Buena Vista Pictures)

Singer Angelina Réaux. She's gained international recognition for her interpretation of Kurt Weill music. She performed in a one-woman show, "Stranger Here Myself," a collection of Weill music, dramatically linked. (A recording of the show is on the Koch Classics International label). Réaux also performs in Opera and Concert engagements and collaborated with Leonard Bernstein in a some of his final projects: recordings of "West Side Story" and "A Quiet Place." She began her career in Broadway musicals.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new reissue of Thelonious Monk, "Solo Monk." (on the Columbia label.)

Guitarist Ry Cooder. In the 60s he collaborated with Taj Mahal, Captain Beefheart, the Rolling Stones and became known for his fingerpicking and slide playing. In the 70s he went solo -- putting together ten albums that explored American roots music including blues, vintage jazz, and gospel.

Tonight show band saxophonist Tommy Newsom talks with Terry about the end of his longest running gig (30 years with The Tonight Show).

Avant-garde guitarist and producer Henry Kaiser. He's known as an innovative and versatile musician. He's recorded and/or performed with a number of artists including, Herbie Hancock, Richard Thompson, Bob Weir, The ROVA Sax Quartet, Sergei Kuriokhin, and Sonny Sharrock. He's just completed a recording of music of Madagascar, "A World Out of Time: Henry Kaiser & David Lindley in Madagascar," (on Shanachie records). (This interview was done by Fresh Air Producer Amy Salit)