Music

The popular Cuban ensemble recently played a few dates in the States. Music critic Milo Miles saw them perform and has some thoughts about the band's lively career.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Paul McCartney's new album, "Flaming Pie."

Ken Emerson talks about the subject of his new biography, Stephen Foster. Foster was a nineteenth century songwriter who had a strong impact on American music. He was the composer of many familiar songs including, "Oh! Susanna," "Camptown Races," and "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair." Emerson says Foster was heavily influenced by black music. And even though the music was often performed in the offensive black-face style, his songs sometimes betray a sympathy for African-Americans.

In 1994, Philadelphia-based DJs and recording artists King Britt and Josh Wink joined their creative efforts together to form Ovum Recordings, an independent record label. Britt and Wink are each celebrated techno performers in the international dance music community and each has his own unique music style. Ovum recently agreed to a worldwide label pact with Ruffhouse/Columbia Records.

Jazz critic Kevin Whithead reviews "Spinning Song" featuring guitarist Duck Baker playing the music of Herbie Nichols.

Ochs has one of the world's largest private collections of record covers. He has a new book collecting covers from the 1950s to the 1990s, "1000 Record Covers" (Taschen Publishers, Germany). He talks with Terry Gross about his favorite recordings though, and brings them for us to hear.

Music commentator Milo Miles reviews a recent show of "They Might Be Giants."

The music of singer, songwriter, and guitarist Matthew Sweet is a mix of pop and alternative and has been likened to Revolver-era Beatles. His albums have enjoyed international critical and popular success. In his newest album, "Blue Sky on Mars" (Zoo Records), Sweet sings both lead and background vocals, as well as playing most of the guitars, keyboard, and bass.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Blue Moon Swamp" (Warner), the first solo album by John Fogerty in ten years.

Earlier this year, 75 year old South Carolina resident Mary Moran had the unique opportunity to go to Sierra Leone with other members of her family. Moran's mother had taught her a song in an African language which had been in the family since an ancestor had been brought over from Africa two hundred years ago. In 1989, through the efforts of anthropologist Joseph Opala and ethnomusicologist Cynthia Schmidt, it had been discovered that this song, composed in the Mende language, was still sung by certain villagers in Sierra Leone.

Michael Hashim talks about and and shares a recent recording of a rare and newly discovered composition of Billy Strayhorn "Up There." The composition had previously been recorded as the tune "Skippy." Strayhorn was best known for his collaborations with Duke Ellington.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Dig Me Out" by the rock band from Olympia, Washington called Sleater-Kinney.

Music critic Milo Miles reviews Capitol Records' "Ultra Lounge" reissue series.

Rock historian Ed Ward looks at how drinking has been portrayed in R&B music over the years.

Rap vocalist Darryl McDaniels of RUN-DMC talks about the group's success. McDaniels is the "DMC" of the group. They were the first rap group to earn gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums. Their most recent album is "Down with The King" released in 1994. But RUN-DMC is expected to release their next album later this year. The group is credited with bringing new fashions, new dances, and new language to popular culture.

In honor of Fresh Air's 10th anniversary as a national show, musician Dave Frishberg performs an original song, commissioned by the show's staff.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One" (Matador) the new recording by the band Yo La Tengo.

Composer Alf Clausen is the man behind the music of "The Simpsons." There's a new compliation CD of music from the animated cartoon TV series, "The Simpsons: Songs in the Key of Springfield" (Rhino).

Ken Tucker reviews the newest CD "Middle of Nowhere" by the group Hanson. They're a trio of teenage brothers with strong pop sensibility.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Abbey Lincoln's new release " Who Used to Dance." Lincoln is now in her 60s.