What World Music Is and Isn't.

Two archive interviews with singer-songwriter Elvis Costello. First, we present a conversation from 1989, then we fast forward to an interview recorded earlier this year (1/27/94). In the late 1970s Costello burst out of Britain's pop-music scene as the angry young man with a fresh sound. He's known for making connections between different musical communities. He's collaborated with Paul McCartney, Ruben Blades, Aimee Mann of "'til Tuesday," David Was of "Was (Not Was)," and T. Bone Burnett.

Rock musician and producer Nick Lowe. Lowe was a main figure of the British pub-rock scene in the early 70s, then in the late 70s Lowe joined forces with Dave Edmunds to form the band "Rockpile." At the same time, Lowe was producing albums for artists such as Elvis Costello and Graham Parker. Lowe went solo in '78, and had hits with "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass," and "Cruel to be Kind." His production credits during that period included The Pretenders, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and John Hiatt. (Originally broadcast 3/15/90)