Music

Writer David Hajdu is the author of the new book, Positively 4th Street: The Lives and Times of Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Mimi Baez Farina, and Richard Farina. (Farrar, Strauss & Giroux). The book focuses on the early 1960s when the four of them changed the nature of popular music. Hajdu is also the author of the award-winning biography, Lush Life: A Biography of Billy Strayhorn. Hajdu also writes for The New York Times Magazine, and Vanity Fair.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews White Blood Cells the new CD by the Detroit duo The White Stripes.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Freefall featuring pianist Kenny Barron and violinist Regina Carter.

Music critic Milo Miles reviews the music of the "mysterious" German band Neu!. The band has just reissued its first three albums from the 1970s: Neu!,,Neu!2, and Neu! '75. (

Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Bel Canto by Ann Patchett (Harper Collins).

Singer-songwriter Steve Earle has released ten critically acclaimed albums; his latest CD is called Transcendental Blues. He's just published his first book, a collection of short stories called Doghouse Roses. Earle is also politically active. He currently serves as a board member of the Journey of Hope and is affiliated with both the Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and the Abolitionist Action Committee.

Rock historian Ed Ward on the music of three blind bluesmen.

Ken Tucker reviews the new CD by Rufus Wainwright. Its called Poses.

Rock Critic, Ken Tucker Reviews the New Album from Missy Elliot, Miss E...So Addictive

Laurie Pepper is the wife of the late alto saxophonist Art Pepper, who died in 1982 and was considered to be the greatest alto saxophonist of the post-Charlie Parker generation. Laurie Pepper has just produced a box-set compilation of Art Pepper's music, called Art Pepper: The Hollywood All-Star Sessions. Terry talked with Pepper on the occasion of the updated version of her husband's autobiography, Straight Life which he wrote with the help of Laurie.

Rock historian Ed Ward on the B 52's.

He brings his guitar to the studio. His new album is Blue Boy. Elvis Costello has been a big supporter of Sexsmith, praising his songwriting abilities and bring him on tour as an opening act. Sexsmith has recorded three other albums. He hails from Toronto, Canada.

Music critic Milo Miles profiles singer Maria Muldaur, most famous for her 70s hit Midnight at the Oasis. She has a new album called Richland Woman Blues.

Broadway music director Paul Gemignani has been the musical director of almost every Stephen Sondheim work over the last 30 years. His other productions include Kiss Me, Kate, Crazy for You, and High Society. Next Sunday Gemignani will receive a lifetime achievement award at the Tony Awards.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Survivor the new release by Destinys Child.

Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews John Henry Days, the new book by Colson Whitehead.

Rock critic Ken Tucker pays tribute to Bob Dylan. Today is Dylan's 60th birthday.

Conductor Benjamin Zander, of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra. He has been called "a Pied Piper" of classical music and "one of music's evangelists." His passionate performances have earned him quite a following. Through his teaching and his pre-concert discussions, he has tried to spread his love of classical music to a wider public. He has conducted the Boston Philharmonic for over 20 years. He leads the Philharmonia Orchestra on a new CD Mahler: Symphony No. 5 and he has a new book, The Art of Possiblity: Transforming Professional and Personal Life.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead concludes his series Avant-Garde Made Easy with a review of the music of Misha Mengelberg.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the hit debut single of the girl-group Edens Crush and the new comeback CD God Bless the Go-Gos by (of course) the Go-Gos.