October 1999

Jan Dismas Zelenka -- Music Critic Tom Manoff reviews a new recording of the chamber music of Jan Dismas Zelenka. Zelenka is lesser known than his baroque counterparts Bach and Handel, but his music is rich, and full of melodic counterpoint. (5:15)

The two-CD set is called Trio Sonatas, and is performed by an ensemble led by Heinz Holliger. It's on the ECM label.

The Girls -- Novelist Helen Yglesias is eighty-four years old, and still writing. Her latest work of fiction is a novel called, The Girls. Alan Cheuse has a review. (2:00)

Women on the Run -- Alan Cheuse reviews Women on the Run, a collection of stories by Jane Campbell Hale. (2:00)

Beck -- Since his 1996 CD Odelay came out, singer and songwriter Beck Hansen has been called a visionary by rock, hip-hop and pop musicians. Critic Tom Moon says Beck has a special genius for combining free-associating riffs and cryptic lyrics, and for creating tension with ear-bending vocal harmonies. Moon calls the CD a cultural commentary about power, money and sex at the turn of the century. (4:45)

Fiona Apple -- Music critic Tom Moon reviews Fiona Apple's second album. The title is 90 words long, and begins with the phrase "When the Pawn Hits The Conflicts He Thinks Like A King." Moon says that Apple's command of different musical styles, and her willingness to play with them, make her latest effort very satisfying. (4:00)

Timeline --Alan Cheuse reviews Timeline the new novel by Michael Crichton, the author who brought us Jurrasic Park. Cheuse says it's a fast-moving mix of science fiction, history and romance. (1:45)

Graham Parsons --Will Hermes reviews Return of the Grievous Angel. The recording is a tribute to the singer and songwriter Gram Parsons, who was the spark behind the melding of rock and country music. His partner for many of the recordings he made was Emmylou Harris. On this tribute recording, Emmylou has helped put together artists Cowboy Junkies, Gillian Welch, Elvis Costello and Beck among others. Hermes thinks its the best look back at a great American songwriter. (6:30)

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