Music

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Warm Evenings," the new album by cornet player Warren Vaché (pronounced va-SHAY). On this album, Vaché teams up with classical music's Beaux-Arts String Quartet.

World music commentator Milo Miles explains how Peter Gabriel transformed folk music of the Middle East into the world pop sound that became the soundtrack for Scorsese's film "The Last Temptation of Christ."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews two new albums: "Wild Weekend" by NRBQ and "The People's Republic of Rock n Roll" by Peter Stampfel and the Bottle Caps. Ken says while they may not have much in common, both are critically-acclaimed cult groups releasing albums after a long silence.

Songwriter/musicians Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook. They started the rock group Squeeze in the late 70s, broke up in 1982 as the band was about to make it big, and reformed 1985. Nevertheless, the band had a series of hits in their native England and have drawn critical praise in this country. The band's new album is called "Frank."

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews three reissues of music by composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold. Korngold was a success at both serious composition and writing music for the movies...among his film scores are the classics "The Sea Hawk," and "The Adventures of Robin Hood."

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Leon Huff and Kenny Gamble, creators of the Philadelphia International label -- one of the great black pop record labels of the early '70's.

Violinist Shlomo Mintz. Mintz was born in Moscow and emigrated with his family two years later to Israel. He made his concerto debut at age 11 with Zubin Mehta, and has continued to appear with Mehta each season since. Mintz is considered one of the foremost violinists of this generation.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new 16-CD box set by alto saxophonist Art Pepper, called "The Complete Galaxy Recordings."

Jazz trumpeter Lester Bowie. Bowie is considered one of the most original trumpeters in jazz, and a master of horn effects. Bowie started out playing with Saint Louis R&B bands. In 1969, he helped found the Art Ensemble of Chicago as an outlet for more eclectic and avant-garde jazz. Bowie also heads his own band, Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy. They have a new album, called "Serious Fun."

World music commentator Milo Miles reviews David Byrne's "Brazil Classics" series and talks about the recent trend among Western rock stars to borrow rhythms and singers from the musical traditions of Africa, the Near East, and South America. He asks whether this is valuable exposure for little-known musicians or a form of exploitation.

Rock critic Ken Tucker review the new albums from Janet Jackson and Laurie Anderson. Ken says the two performers are seemingly miles apart...Jackson's the sister of Michael Jackson and her albums are huge urban contemporary hits, and Anderson's a product of the New York performance scene...but there is common ground. Both albums (Jackson's is called "Rhythm Nation 1814" and Anderson's is titled "Strange Angels") have unifying themes and draw heavily on the latest technology.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new compact disc of Beethoven sonatas played by renowned Irish pianist John O'Conor.

Songwriters Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. They wrote the songs for the 1944 Judy Garland film classic, "Meet Me in St. Louis," including "The Trolley Song" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." A musical based on the film is opening on Broadway this week.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews two new albums by composer, saxophonist and clarinetist Anthony Braxton. Although Braxton's music has been much criticized, Kevin calls him one of his heroes. Braxton's new albums are "19 Solo Compositions 1988" and "Seven Compositions (Trio) 1989."

Rock historian Ed Ward looks at rock's fascination with teen death and suicide, an influence that led to hits like "Teen Angel" and "Leader of the Pack."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new albums from singers Linda Ronstadt and Kate Bush. Ronstadt's is called "Cry Like A Rainstorm, Howl Like The Wind," and Ken says it's a return to her early pop-rock sound. Bush's new work, "The Sensual World," continues what Ken calls her "lulling loopiness."

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new recording of works by Sir Michael Tippett. Tippett is generally considered the greatest living British composer. He's in the U.S. for the world premiere of his fifth opera, "New Year," in Houston on October 27.

Singer Deborah Harry. She was lead singer of the group "Blondie," which started out in the late '70's as a punk band and by the early '80's was topping the charts. Since the breakup of "Blondie," Harry has gone on to a solo career and several film and TV roles, most recently in "Wiseguy." Her latest album is called, "Def, Dumb and Blonde."

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews reissued 1957 recordings by acoustic guitarist Eddie Condon. Condon was a fine musician, and also promoted the music from the 20s to his death in the early 70s. Condon organized early recording sessions that brought black and white musicians together, promoted concerts at New York's Town Hall, and ran a famous club.

Dutch recorder player and conductor Frans Brüggen (BROO-gen). He's one of the world's preeminent recorder players. In 1981, he formed the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century which uses period instruments for its repertoire of Renaissance and Baroque music.