Music

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead surveys a recent boxed set of vintage recordings by blues singer Howlin' Wolf ("Howlin' Wolf: The Chess Box" is on MCA records).

Ice-T, the Los Angeles based rap musician.

Rock historian Ed Ward tells us how not to do a reissue.

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward remembers The Memphis Jug Band.

Conductor and arranger John McGlinn. He re-orchestrated the Irving Berlin musical "Annie Get Your Gun" according to the original 1946 performance. In preparing the remake, McGlinn discovered that the 1966 revival of the show left out several musical numbers, which he incorporated into the current performance. McGlinn also included a song that had been written for the 1946 version, but never before recorded.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new release by Sophie B. Hawkins, "Tongues & Tails," (on the Columbia label).

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews David Byrne's album "Uh-Oh."

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new recording of Opera Finales performed by soprano Josephine Barstow. (on the Decca label).

Two members of the punk rock group Fugazi: singer-guitarist Ian MacKaye and guitarist Guy Picciotto. The Washington, D.C. band has become internationally known despite the fact that the band refuses to sign with a major label. They abhor commercialism and stardom. The impassioned band sings on it's new album, "Steady Diet of Nothing," about having control of their own bodies, TV - "nothing going on in there," and about the supreme court, "Justice Brennan, I know it's not your fault." (the new album is on "Dischord Records.")

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews TWO new albums by Bruce Springsteen, "Human Touch," and "Lucky Town," -- his first out in almost five years.

Singer-songwriter Peter Case. He took a Greyhound to California in the 70s, played guitar on the streets of San Francisco, and later got involved in the L.A. band scene in the early 80s, where he started a band called The Plimsouls. Since then, he's had a solo career. His new album is called "Six Pack of Love" (it's on the Geffen label).

World music commentator Milo Miles explores the eerie music of the master musicians of Jajouka, Morocco.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a recording of Stan Getz and Kenny Barron called "People Time" (on the Gitanes Jazz label), billed as Getz's last recording before his death.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the restored score of Voltaire's "Candide," conducted by Leonard Bernstein a year before his death.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Planet of Love," by Jim Lauderdale and "Wynonna" by Wynonna Judd.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead muses on the importance of swing to jazz with two new releases, "The Jelly Roll Joys," by Dave Burrell (on the Gazell label), and "Eugene (1989)" by Anthony Braxton (on the Black Saint label).

Punk rocker and now actor John Doe of the soon to be reunited band, "X." Since the band broke up, he went solo with his own album, and took up acting. He's now starring in a new independent film, "Roadside Prophets," written and directed by Abbe Wool, who co-wrote the punk rock movie, "Sid & Nancy."

Ken Tucker reviews the new album by "Chic," called "Chic-ism."

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Bobby Robinson and his Harlem record labels which were responsible for such hits as "Kansas City," and "Fannie Mae," and for launching the career of Gladys Knight.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new reissue, "Original Dixieland Jazz Band, the 75th Anniversary." (on the RCA/Bluebird label).