Music

Music review "Brasil: A Century Of Song" by Milo Miles. .

Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie. She's one of the world's few classical percussion soloists. And she plays with orchestras worldwide. But instead of hearing the music, she feels it. Glennie is deaf, and has been since the age of 12. She's made several solo albums, and several years ago wrote her autobiography, Good Vibrations (Hutchison Publishers, London). Glennie performs at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia Dec 15 and 16. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Today is Frank Sinatra's 80th birthday. So we've brought a number of people on the show to comment on Sinatra's life and work: Nancy Sinatra, Sinatra's daughter. She's recorded a few hits of her own including "These Boots are Made for Walking," and "Something Stupid," the duet she recorded with her father. Nancy Sinatra has written a book about her father, Frank Sinatra: An American Legend (General Publishing Group). Nancy Sinatra has a new album too, (her first in 20 years) "One More Time." (Cougar records).

Songwriter Matt Dennis. He wrote "Angel Eyes," "Everything Happens to Me," and "Let's Get Away From it All."

James Isaacs has co-produced reissues of Sinatra recordings for Columbia and Reprise.

Charles Granata is a Cop who has an extensive archive of Sinatra recordings. Many of the them have been used for Sinatra reissues. He was Project Director for the box set: "Frank Sinatra: The Best of the Columbia Years 1943-1952).

Trumpet player and arranger Billy May.

A concert and interview in the Fresh Air studio with John Doe, former bassist/vocalist with the punk rock group "X". He recently released a new solo album, "Kissingsohard," (Rhino's Forward label). There's also a new acoustic best-of live album featuring "X". It's called "Unclogged" (Infidelity Records, L.A., CA). Doe is joined by guitarist Smokey Hormel.

REV. : Part (2) of Ed Ward's review of the new box set of music by the Velvet Underground.

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers The Velvet Underground. Andy Warhol produced their first album in 1966.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Brown Sugar" (EMI label) the debut album by the singer named D'Angelo and "R. Kelly" (Jive records) by the rapper R. Kelly. Both are R&B albums.

Broadway singer John Raitt. He's the father of singer Bonnie Raitt. The two have collaborated on a new album of show tunes, "The Broadway Legend," (Angel). Raitt made his Broadway debut as Billy Bigelow in the original production of "Carousel." He also was in the original Broadway cast and film of "The Pajama Game." He's performed in many other musicals including "Oklahoma," and "South Pacific."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Bruce Springsteen's album "The Ghost of Tom Joad."

Internationally-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman. He celebrates his 50th birthday this year. He has several new releases, and a PBS special: "The Beethoven Triple Concert" two live concert recordings with pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim, and cellist Yo Yo Ma. And "In the Fiddler's House," featuring Perlman playing Klezmer music with four Klezmer bands. There's also a PBS Great Performance special on Klezmer music featuring Perlman. (It aired nationally November 27 at 10PM. Check local listings). Both CD's are on the EMI Classics label.

From the hip-hop group, PM Dawn, Prince Be. The duo consists of Prince Be (Attrell Cordes) and his brother J.C. the Eternal (Jarrett Cordes). One reviewer writes of them, "the duo effortlessly blends disparate elements -- balladeering and rapping, samples and live orchestration -- into gorgeous, wide-screen tableaux of sound. They also write terrific songs, from galloping melodies. . . to exquisite forlorn ballads." Their new album is "Jesus Wept" (Gee Street, Island Records).

Critic Milo Miles reviews "Blues, Rags, and Hollers," a reissue of a 1963 debut album of Koerner, Ray, and Glover (Red House Records Elektra).

Music Commentator Milo Miles reviews Right on Time by Little Buster and the Soul Brothers. It is put out by Bullseye Blue.

American folk singer Rosalie Sorrels may not be wildly famous but since the 1960s she's developed a near cult like following. Her admirers describe Sorrels as someone who has lived the life she now sings about. In fact, she was immortalized in a song by Nanci Griffith describing Sorrels as "Salt of the earth.....with a voice like wine." .Her newest CD is "Borderline Heart" by Green Linnet Records Inc. The book "Way Out in Idaho" is a collection of her poems, songs and recipes.

Composer and Lyricist Ralph Blane died Monday at the age of 81 at his home in Oklahoma. He is best known for his work with Hugh Martin. Together they wrote songs for Broadway and Hollywood. They are best known for songs in the MGM classic, "Meet Me in St. Louis." That starred Judy Garland and featured the songs "The Trolley Song," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and "The Boy Next Door." (Originally aired 10/31/89)

TV Critic David Bianculli previews next week's Beatles documentary. The six hour series features new music by the Beatles. The recordings use archive tape of John Lennon.