Music

Rock critic Ken Tucker says that Wire's first new album in seven years doesn't capture the intensity of their debut Pink Flag, but it's still a provocative listen.

Brothers Luis and Daniel Valens' collaborated on a biopic of the late singer's life, called La Bamba. They discuss how they tracked down Valens' family to learn more about his early life.

Pianist Shura Cherkassky claims he never plays the same piece twice. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz says the versions of Liszt and Stravinsky pieces Cherkassky recently committed to tape are worth the listen.

Sonny Burgess was known as much for his monochromatic look as he was his wild music. Ed Ward says the word to describe him is "weird" -- Burgess favored unconventional instrumentation and bizarre lyrics.

Taking advantage of new recording technologies, Ellington's son Mercer leads his father's big band on a new CD. Jazz critic Francis Davis says the performances are excellent in their own right, but the album doesn't offer anything new or surprising.

Musician and folklorist Mick Moloney talks about and performs two traditional Irish songs he learned early in his career.

The long-running band continues to gain new fans, even straight-laced yuppies. Rock critic Ken Tucker says In the Dark is their best album in over a decade, coming close to capturing the spirit of their live shows.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz says that Christopher Hogwood's interpretation of the composer's symphonies fall flat compared to those of Roger Norrington.

American conductor and music director Leonard Slatkin discusses the differences between the classical music worlds of Europe and the United States. He says the fast pace of American concert production and music instruction has its benefits and drawbacks.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the 1960s rock band the Great Society, which featured singer Grace Slick before she joined the Jefferson Airplane.

The prolific Modern Jazz Quartet returns with a new album featuring orchestration written for the New York Chamber Symphony. Jazz critic Francis Davis says the music lives up the Olympian standard to which he holds the group.

Musician Marty Grosz returns to Fresh Air to discuss the role of the rhythm guitarist in jazz, particularly in the early days of big bands. He sings two songs to illustrate the technique.

Sam Charters is a white northerner who studies the history black southern music. He moved to Louisiana to learn about forgotten jazz players and make field recordings of unknown blues musicians.

Whitney Houston's new album, Whitney, debuted at the top of the pop charts, in part fueled by its hit single, "I Wanna Dance with Somebody." Rock critic Ken Tucker says the songs are thinner than those on her last album, and wonders if they'll be enough to sustain her immense popularity.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz says that John Gibbons' new record of Bach's music showcases the performer's mastery of the harpsichord.

Rock historian remembers the 1960s Boston band The Remains, whose music reflected the genre's growing depth and sophistication. Despite opening for the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, the group never caught on.

Artist-turned-musician Carl Finch discovered polka while working on an installation. He later started the new wave polka band Brave Combo.

Jazz critic Francis Davis says Nigel Kennedy avoids the dilettantism of other classical musicians who want to get down and dirty in other genres. Kennedy's new album features interpretations of Duke Ellington and Bela Bartok.

Guitarist Paul Burlison and drummer D.J. Fontana are two members of rockabilly sextet the Sun Rhythm Section. Both musicians were active in the 1950s and played with legends like Elvis Presley. They join Fresh Air's Terry Gross to share memories of their decades-long career.