Music

We remember rock impresario Bill Graham, who died this weekend in a helicopter crash. Terry Gross talked with Graham on May 17 of 1989. We'll play back part of that interview.

Singer Lesley Gore. In 1963, when she was only 16, Leslie Gore recorded one of the greatest songs in rock and roll history, "It's My Party, and I'll Cry If I Want To." Gore has stayed in the business since the 60s, and she's currently appearing at the New York City club, "Rainbow and Stars." Also, Rhino records has recently released a two record retrospective of her greatest hits.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Hymns To The Silence," the new double album from Van Morrison.

Jazz musician Sonny Sharrock. He's been called America's leading free jazz guitarist. His new album is called "Ask the Ages." (It's on Axiom records).

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new recording of music by Czech composers Gideon Klein and Viktor Ullmann. Klein and Ullmann were both imprisoned at the Theresienstadt concentration camp during World War 2, and later put to death at Auschwitz. This is the first of 6 planed recordings of music the pair wrote while under Nazi imprisonment.

World music critic Milo Miles checks out "Samba," writer Alma Guillermoprieto's (geair-mo-prer-toe) new book on Brazil's most famous musical form, and how it pervades Brazilian life and culture.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews two current rap acts, Heavy D and the Boyz and 3rd Bass.

World music critic Milo Miles reviews some current books on African music. His big recommendation is "Sweet Mother: Modern African Music," by Wolfgang Bender (published by University of Chicago Press).

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the 60s San Francisco band, "Quicksilver Messenger Service."

Musician and conductor JoAnn Falletta. Falletta is conductor of the Bay Area Women's Philharmonic in San Francisco, which is dedicated to finding and playing music by women that was previously undiscovered or unrecorded. Falletta has a PhdD from Juilliard.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead remembers jazz great Miles Davis, who died this weekend at age 65.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new album from drummer Aldo Romano. It's called "To Be Ornette To Be," and it's a musical tribute to free jazz composer Ornette Coleman. (It's on the French Owl label).

Classical music fans around the world are commemorating the bicentennial of Mozart's death. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz is observing a happier anniversary, the 100th anniversary of Prokofiev's birth. He reviews a new compact disc (on the Pearl label) of Prokofiev playing his own works.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the songwriting team of Don Harris and Dewey Terry. They worked at Los Angeles' Specialty Records, where Little Richard also recorded, and gave the studio some of its biggest hits.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Use your Illusion," the new two-album set from the heavy metal band "Guns 'N Roses."

World music critic Milo Miles checks out "Dig," the new album from The Burning Flames, a Caribbean band that started out playing soca, added a strong rock beat, and came up with some of the most infectious dance music anywhere. (It's on Island Records).

Rock historian Ed Ward looks at some of the bands that have changed their identities, and names, along the way, including: the Gladiolas/Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, James Brown, and the Primettes/Supremes.

A live concert with jazz pianist, singer, and lyricist Dave Frishberg. Frishberg's long been known for his satirical songs, such as "My Attorney Bernie," and "I'm Hip." His new album, "Classics," is a collection of some of his best-known songs from previous albums. (It's on Concord Jazz records).

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews "The Death of Klinghoffer," the new opera from composer John Adams. It recently had its American premiere at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

We have a sneak preview of tomorrow's ***stereo*** concert with jazz pianist and satirical songwriter Dave Frishberg.