Rock

A review of the year's best pop music with critic Ken Tucker. He'll talk with Terry about his favorite albums and artists.

An in-studio concert and interview with singer/songwriter, guitarist Richard Thompson. He first became known for his work with "Fairport Convention." He's since gone solo and is known for his dark songs which blend elements of British folk ballads and the blues.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews one of his favorite albums of the year, "Odelay" by Beck. Tucker says it took him repeated listens to truly appreciate the artist's craft.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new, sprawling album by the artist formerly known as Prince, called "Emancipation."

Laura Joplin is the younger sister of the rock legend Janis Joplin. Her new book, "Love XX Janis," was inspired by a bundle of letters Laura found of her sister's. This is the first time the letters are published. Laura is six years younger than Janis, and was 21 when Janis died. There's a new episode of the VH1 documentary series "Legends" about Janis Joplin, in which Laura reads some of the letters of her sister.

Rock historian Ed Ward tells us about bass player Carol Kaye, who he says, in the early 1960s, "virtually invented electric bass playing."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Recovering the Satellites" (Geffen), the new album by the San Francisco band Counting Crows.

Milo Miles reviews the new CD by Jaguars. Their album is called "El Equilibrio De Los Jaguares."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Black Eye," the debut album by the new English punk band Fluffy.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "First Band on the Moon" by the Cardigans, an alternative rock band with dark undertones beneath their airy pop.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new solo album by Amy Rigby. In the early eighties, Rigby was part of the all-woman punk band the Shams, and following that, a country-rock outfit called Last Roundup. After a long silence, she's back with a new solo album called "Diary of a Mod Housewife."

He's the man who wrote "Blue Suede Shoes," the hit song sung by Elvis Presley which became the first Sun label record to sell over a million copies. Carl Perkins has also written the songs, "Matchbox," "Honey Don't," and "Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby" which have been recorded by the Beatles. Born in Tennessee, he's a pioneer of rockabilly music. His new memoir and CD are both called "Go Cat Go!"

Music critic Ken Tucker reviews the CD "Love Grows (where My Rosemary Goes): The Voice of Tony Burrows." Burrows rode up the charts during the British invasion. The CD is a collection of hits by Burrow's who was known for spinning out hit after hit in the late 1960s and early 70s under a different name or bands.

Rock historian Ed Ward has part four of our five part series on the evolution of blues music in America. He talks about how the regional nature of the blues kept it flourishing during the dawn of rock and roll.

Lindsay-Hogg talks with Terry Gross about his new film "The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus." The concert footage was shot 28 years ago, but hasn't been released until now. The film was shelved by the Rolling Stones and later lost for fifteen years.. A companion C.D. under the same title will be released today.

Jennings had sixteen #1 records, won two Grammy's and four Country Music Awards. He's recognized for helping to unify the country music audience. He intermingled the strict country-only traditions with rock and roll. Jennings was Buddy Holly's bass player; he gave his seat up to the Big Bopper on the plane which would crash, killing Holly and others. Jennings' new autobiography is called "Waylon."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Sheryl Crow's new, self-titled album. He says it's the best mainstream rock record he's heard all year.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new collection from R.E.M, "New Adventures in Hi-Fi." (Warner Bros)

TV critic David Bianculli reviewed The Beatles Anthology, which is out on video. This is an expanded 10-hour version of the 6-hour version which aired on television last fall.

Breedlove plays with the Jamaican group, The Skatalites. They're credited with creating the music known as ska, a precursor to reggae, which is often mistaken for reggae. The group got their start in the 1960s. Breedlove is an American musician who worked with Lionel Hampton, and began playing with The Skatalites about seven years ago. The Skatalites have a new album, "Greetings from Skamania."