Music

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Alanis Morrissette's new release "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie" (Maverick/Reprise)

A special in-studio concert and interview with Kate and Anna McGarrigle; Loudon, Rufus, and Martha Wainwright, and other. They all sing and play on the new album, "The McGarrigle Hour" (Hannibal).

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new collection of recordings made by the late pianist William Kapell who died in 1953 at the age of 31.

Writer and critic Nelson George. He's one of this country's most prominent chroniclers of black music and culture. His new book "Hip Hop America" (Viking) is a history of Hip Hop, and a memoir of his own life, growing up to the musical strains of Hip Hop.

Critic Milo Miles has a retrospective of British blues guitarist Peter Green who founded the group Fleetwood Mac, then dropped out and stopped performing. Now Green has a new album, "Robert Johnson Songbook" (Artisan label). Two earlier Green albums are: "Then Play On" (Reprise) and "Green and Guitar" (Music Club label).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Zero" (Blue Note), the new release by jazz saxophonist Greg Osby.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a re-issue of Judy Garland's songs titled "Judy" on the label 32 Records. It is a four cd-set with a video and 100 page book of photos and interviews. Also Rhino records has re-issued "Judy Garland in Hollywood."

Film critic John Powers reviews "Velvet Goldmine" the new film written and directed by Todd Haynes. The film looks at the early 70's "glam rock" scene. Haynes earlier film was "Safe" about a suburban house-wife who becomes allergic to nearly everything.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Sheryl Crow's newest CD "The Globe Sessions" on A&M Records.

The singer and pianist has a new CD titled "Sing It" on Rounder Records. It features her with Tracey Nelson and Irma Thomas. She has been compared with Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Dr. John, Leon Russell, and, Jerry Lee Lewis. She's been called the bayou queen of the piano. Her latest solo album came out last year on Rounder. "Let Me Play With Your Poodle." The concert was recorded in September in Austin, Texas as a benefit for the public radio station KUT.

Rock historian Ed Ward continues his series on how country music was influenced by black and white music traditions.

Rock historian Ed Ward begins his two part series on Black and White country music.

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers Charlie Feathers, who tried everything from country music, rockabilly to protest folk. He had such hits as "Tongue-Tied Jill," and "One Hand Loose., which is considered one of the perfect rockabilly songs.

Nelson is best known for her work leading the Mother Earth band from the 1960s and 70s. Her hits included "Down So Low" and "Mother Earth." A collection of her hits "The Best of Tracy Nelson/Mother Earth" (Reprise) came out in 1996. She has a number of albums on Rounder: "Homemade Songs/Come See About Me," "In the Here and Now," "I Feel So Good" and "Move On." She's also got a new recording in which she teams up with Marcia Ball and Irma Thomas, "Sing it!" (Rounder).

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Belle and Sebastian's record "The Boy with the Arab Strap."

Patti Smith's guitarist Lenny Kaye talks about the new four-CD collection called Nuggets. (Rhino) It showcases some of the most influential garage rock bands in the late 60's following the British Invasion. Kaye compiled the first volume which was released in 1972. He has collaborated with Gary Stewart to expand the collection to a box-set.

The soul musician has written his autobiography "Truly Blessed" (Putnam). Pendergrass was a popular soul singer in the group "Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes". He went solo in 1976. In 1982, he was paralyzed after a near fatal car accident in Philadelphia, his hometown. Since then he has returned to the studio and produced several albums.

Rock historian Ed Ward talks about the Philadelphia soul music scene which produced such superstars as Teddy Pendergrass. Many of those artists were signed to the Philadelphia International Records label.

Commentator Milo Miles looks at the music and mores surrounding the new swing scene emerging in southern California. And he reviews the new cd "Swing This, Baby" (Slimstyle/Beyond) which features the new swing sound--which Miles says is more accurately described as "jump blues."