Music

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews “Carambola,” the new C-D from composer Chico O’Farrill, who is also the leader of the Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band in New York.

Big Sandy is the lead singer of the Fly Rite Boys a band that combines rockabilly, western swing, and hillbilly boogie sounds. They are currently on tour and have a new album “Night Tide” (High Tone Records). With it, they’ve taken a darker more personal bent. Big Sandy and his Fly Rite Boys have been making music together since 1988 and have recorded seven albums all told, including BIG Sandy's solo do-wop tribute, “Dedicated to You.”

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the reissue of the original cast album of the legendary 1954 Theatre de Lys’ Off-Broadway production of Kurt Weill’s “Threepenny Opera” starring Lotte Lenya. It’s on the Decca label.

Singer/songwriter Paul Simon. In 1964 he and Art Garfunkle, as the duo Simon & Garfunkle, hit number one on the pop charts with the song “Sound of Silence.” They continued with 5 albums that all sold gold. After a split in 1970, Simon continued writing songs and took up a solo singing career. His albums include “Still Crazy After All These Years,” “Graceland,” and “Rhythm of the Saints.” His new album is “You’re The One.” (Warner Bros.)

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new recording of Handel’s opera, “Alcina.” (“al-CHEE-na”)It’s a live performance by the Paris Opera (Erato).

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the debut C-D from singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado, called “Whoa, Nelly.”

Music critic Milo Miles reviews “The Jimi Hendrix Experience,” a new 4 C-D box set celebrating the legendary rock guitarist. (MCA records)

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews “Stankonia,” the new C-D from the band Outkast.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews pianist Uri Caine’s new 2 C-D set, “The Goldberg Variations” (Winter & Winter).

Singer Jerry Butler, aka The Iceman. His 1969 hit, “Only the Strong Survive,” is a rhythm and blues classic, and also the title of his new autobiography: “Only the Strong Survive: Memoirs of a Soul Survivor” (Indiana University Press) Butler founded the vocal group The Impressions as well as having a successful solo career. His awareness of civil rights led him to politics, and he is serving his fourth term on the Cook County Board of Commissioners in Chicago. The book was written with Earl Smith, Butler’s brother-in-law and a journalist.

Jazz clarinetist Andy Biskin. His latest CD is “Dogmental,” (GM Recordings) by the Andy Biskin Quintet. Biskin is also a composer. He grew up in San Antonio, Texas and is now based in Manhattan.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviewed PJ Harvey’s new CD: “Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea.”

World music critic Milo Miles reviews Senegalese Youssou N’Dour’s new CD, “Joko.” (Nonesuch Records)

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews “4x4” (WATT/ECM) the latest CD by pianist and composer Carla Bley.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews original cast albums of Broadway musicals that have just been reissued. They include “Finian’s Rainbow,” “The Pajama Game,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” and “Kismit” (all on Sony) and “Guys and Dolls” (on Decca).

Singer Songwriter Dion. He’s just released a new record of doo-wop tunes “Deja Nu” (Collectables 2000). In the late 1950s, Dion and his band the Belmonts topped the chart with several pop hits, earning him the status of “teen idol”. Dion split amicably with the band in 1960 and continued to write Top 10 hits until the British Invasion changed the pop preference. Now, in his 50s, he continues to produce, write and sing new material. He lives in Boca Raton, Florida.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews “Warning” the new CD by the contemporary punk band Green Day.

Church leader and gospel singer Reverend Al Green. He’s just published a new biography called “Down by the River” (Harper Entertainment) detailing the trip from R&B stardom to Reverend. Presiding over his own Pentecostal church in Memphis for the last 20 years, Green recently returned to the recording studio to record a set of gospel songs. A popular culture icon, he’s had cameo roles in movies and TV shows. He lives in Memphis, Tenn.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews “Kid A” the new CD by the band Radiohead.

Jazz guitarist Russell Malone. The 35-year-old self-taught guitarist is widely acknowledged as one of the most versatile and complete jazz guitarists of his generation. Malone has played with a diverse group of artists including vocalist/pianist Diana Krall, Harry Connick Jr., Clarence Carter, Little Anthony and Bucky Pizzarelli. He also fronts his own band. His new CD is called Look Who’s Here (Verve).