Music

Rock critic Ken Tucker has a review of "Pretty Close to the Truth," the new recording by Jim Lauderdale.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Joni Mitchell's new album, "Turbulent Indigo," which incorporates some of the tone and styles that made her famous early in her career.

From the Metropolitan Opera, soprano Dawn Upshaw. She has a new recording of Broadway showtunes, called "I Wish It So." It includes lesser known works by Marc Blitzstein and Kurt Weill as well as songs by Sondheim and Bernstein. Upshaw has played more then 20 roles at the Met, including the current "The Marriage of Figaro" and the recently completed "Idomeneo," both by Mozart.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the musician's debut album, "Closest to the Sun."

World music critic Milo Miles reviews the new collection of singles recorded for Sam Cooke's R&B label. Miles says the only problem with it is the high price.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a reissue of "True Blue," by saxophonist Tina Brooks.

World music critic Milo Miles reviews "Udi Hrant" by oud virtuoso Hrant Kenkulian. It's on the Traditional Crossroad label.

Rock historian Ed Ward explores some of the lesser known music from the Vietnam War era.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a reissue of "The Voice That Is!," by baritone singer Johnny Hartman.

Rock historian Ed Ward takes us behind the scenes of the Million Dollar Quartet session, which featured Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and others playing in the Sun Records studios in 1956.

Robertson was a guitarist and songwriter for The Band until their break-up in 1976. Since then, he has put out solo albums and written film soundtracks for director Martin Scorsese. His newest work is "The Native Americans," inspired by his Native American heritage.

Rock historian Ed Ward reflects on the Beatles' original bass player, Stu Stutcliff, who died of a brain tumor in 1962.

World music critic Milo Miles admits he doesn't know much about Flamenco music. But he likes what he hears on the new anthology Duende.

Rock historian Ed Ward takes a look at the influence of saxophonist Louis Jordan, who laid the groundwork for rocking Black artists of the 1950s like Chuck Berry.

Rock critic Ken Tucker has a review of "Whip-Smart," the new album by Liz Phair.

Collins got his start with James Brown, where he "defined the finger-popping funk bass style" (Rolling Stone). He went on to work with George Clinton as part of the Parliment-Funkadelic tribe, before forming Bootsy's Rubber Band. On stage, he created alter egos, including Bootzilla, Boot-Tron, and King of the Geepies. He's put out more than 30 albums, and has just released "Blasters of the Universe," with a new band.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Monster," the new release by R.E.M.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the new recording of works by composer Elliot Carter.

Author Peter Guralnick has written the first of a two part biography of Elvis Presley, retelling the story of the King's childhood "soberly, thoroughly and unsensationally" (says the ALA Booklist). "Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley" tells much of the story through quotes both from Elvis and people who knew him then. It attempts to portray Elvis' human side, rather than the mythical figure he has become.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews "Vivaldi: 6 Cello Sonatas," by Pieter Wispelwey and Florilegium.