Music

Ken Tucker reviews a home video documentary about Fairport Convention, one of the most eclectic folk bands of the 60s and early 70s.

New Orleans pianist Mac Rebbenack pays tribute to James Carroll Booker, III - his pick as the greatest New Orleans pianist. This is part four of a seven-part performance series with Rebennack, also known as Dr. John.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews two albums by Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello featuring previously unreleased material. The two have been longtime colleagues and collaborators. Lowe has been the producer of many of Costello's albums.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a recording of the score for the ballet "The Lady With the Lap Dog" by the Russian composer Rodion Shchedrin. The ballet was performed at the recent Soviet-American Music Festival in Boston. Shchedrin was one of the Soviet organizers of the event.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles The Belmonts, the singers who backed up Dion. They went on to record hit songs of their own.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a 1973 recording of the South African quintet Spear, featuring saxophonist Dudu Pukwana. Like many of South Africa's best-known jazz artists, Pukwana emigrated in the middle 60s, settling in England and helping to spark the rich jazz scene there.

Peter Phillips, director of the Tallis Scholars, a group of eight British singers who specialize in unaccompanied Renaissance choral music. The group will be touring the country throughout April. (Interview by Faith Middleton)

The third of a seven-part performance series with Dr. John, the New Orleans pianist who is also known as Mac Rebennack.

Critic-at-large Laurie Stone reviews the revival of Cole Porter's musical "Anything Goes," currently on stage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center. The production stars Patti LuPone.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the latest album from avant-garde saxophonist and composer John Zorn, in which Zorn plays homage to the detective writer Mickey Spillane.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews new albums by George Strait and Steve Wariner. Their music is marketed as country, but Ken says their style is similar to that of singer-songwriters of the late '60s and early '70s, like James Taylor and Bonnie Raitt.

Classical guitarist David Tanenbaum. Tanenbaum is chairman of the guitar department at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. While he is best known for his interpretations of early music for the guitar, his interpretations of 20th Century works have won wide praise. His new album is a collection of lute music adapted for the classical guitar. (Interview with Faith Middleton)

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the recorded work of the Tallis Scholars, a group of eight British singers who specialize in unaccompanied Renaissance choral music. The group will be touring the country throughout April.

Humorist Alice Kahn shares her fantasy about being a singer, a fantasy that survives despite the fact that she's tone deaf and can't carry a tune.

Rock historian Ed Ward gets a jump on April Fool's Day by sharing what he classifies as "the worst music ever recorded."

Violinist Yehudi Menuhin (Ya-hoo-dee Men-you-in). Menuhin's career began early: he was a child prodigy and made his debut in 1924 when he was seven. Since then, he has toured extensively and developed into one of America's most celebrated violinists. In recent years, he has become almost as well known for his deep interest in art, politics, psychology and philosophy. (Interview by Faith Middleton).

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new album "Whatever Next!," from Wally Fawkes and his Soho Shakers. Fawkes is an English clarinetist who has been a part of the British traditional jazz scene since its beginnings in the 1940s.

Pianist and conductor Leon Fleisher. After a neurological disorder disabled his right hand, he turned to piano works written for the left hand alone, and also began a successful career conducting. (Interview by Faith Middelton).

The second in a seven-part series of performance pieces with Mac Rebbenack, better known as Dr. John. Today he pays tribute to Hoagie Carmichael.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews "Chalk Mark in a Rainstorm," the new album from Joni Mitchell.