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27:47

Rock Musician Elvis Costello

Costello's first album, My Aim Is True, showcased his tough but emotional songwriting and his classic rock star persona. He joins Fresh Air to discuss his growth as a singer, and to perform a few of his songs.

Interview
06:33

Louisiana's Lesser-Known, Home-Grown Talent

Rock historian Ed Ward says there was talent all over the state during the 1950s and '60s. Despite their excellent music, most of the recording artists of this era faded into obscurity. But contemporary musicians like Willie Nelson and Elvis Costello are rediscovering Louisiana's soulful, forgotten legacy.

Commentary
06:09

Jazz and Its Cross-Continental Dialogue

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says much of saxophonist Ahmed Abdullah's new album, Liquid Magic, takes its cues from South African musical traditions. Whitehead says that the international influence on a style already born of African traditions proves that jazz is in no danger of stagnating.

Review
07:00

The Checkered Tradition of Cover Songs

Rock critic Ken Tucker says there has been a long-running tradition of artists performing the hits of past performers, some of whom radically reinterpret the original song. But the success of these efforts is mixed. Tucker considers some recent examples by performers like Kylie Minogue, Cowboy Junkies, and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

Commentary
09:41

Jazz Musician Loren Schoenberg

The thirty-year-old saxophonist leads a new big band that performs pieces from the classic swing era. He formed a professional and personal relationship with Benny Goodman, and now stewards the archive of the jazz legends' recordings.

Interview
06:59

Three by Sir Thomas Beecham

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews new reissues of performances conducted by the British maestro and London Philharmonic founder.

Review
06:59

Oliver Lake's "Otherside" Is a Cause for Celebration

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says the saxophonist, often associated with the avant-garde, can't easily be pigeonholed. Lake's big band album takes its cues from Eric Dolphy, blues, and gospel. The ensemble may be loose, but the soloists shine.

Review
06:59

A Pop Star's Refreshing, New Maturity

Rock critic Ken Tucker says that most singer-songwritiers who find success early on never recapture the spark of their best work later in their career. But Elvis Costello bucks the trend on his 13th album, Spike.

Review
09:46

Classical Pianist Richard Goode

Goode was recently commissioned to record all of Beethoven's piano sonatas. He joins Fresh Air to discuss the challenges of that endeavor, the process of memorizing the repertory, and his early musical training.

Interview
06:47

The Giddy Wit of Jacques Offenbach

Classical music critic says that no music is more fun than a good operetta. A new collection of lesser known works by composer Jacques Offenbach is more fun than almost any other album this year.

Review
06:30

An American Original Struggles for Success

Charlie Rich was a jazz enthusiast who wrote for many legendary country and rock musicians on the Sun Record Label. Rock historian Ed Ward says, for Rich, recording his own, original music was an afterthought. He had a few hits on various Memphis-area labels, but could never break through into the mainstream.

Commentary
06:33

Discovering New "Shades of Bud Powell"

On his new album, trumpeter Herb Robertson reinterprets several compositions by the late pianist. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says the record emphasizes the jubilance of Powell's music, rather than the difficulties he faced later in life.

Review
09:46

New Age Music for Heavy Metal Fans

Rhys Chatham is a classically-trained, minimalist composer who incorporates rock influences into his music. He joins Fresh Air to talk about his choice of instrumentation, and the evolution of his work over the years.

Interview
09:42

Violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg

The classical musician says, now that she's established herself as an accomplished performer, she no longer feels the need to prove herself. She got her start early; her mother made sure she practiced. At nineteen, after a nine-month hiatus from the violin, she finally decided she wanted to devote her life to the instrument.

06:48

Orchestral Gems at Three Minutes Apiece

Leroy Anderson was classical composer who often used popular forms in his orchestral music. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz says a new collection of Anderson's Americana-infused work reveals his charm and wit.

Review

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