February 2000

John Abercrombie -- Fifty-five-year-old guitarist John Abercrombie has been "on the scene" since he graduated from Berklee in Boston. In the late 1960s and early '70s, he was something of a star playing jazz-rock fusion. In the decades since, he's played very electric and very acoustic but he's always been recognizable for a legato style that numerous younger players have imitated. He's recorded 13 albums as a leader. His latest is called Open Land. Tom Vitale has a profile. (7:45)
Open Land by John Abercrombie is on the ECM label (ECM 1683).

Hugh Tracey -- Banning Eyre reviews a newly released collection of the field recordings of Hugh Tracey. From the 1930s to the late 1970s, Tracey trekked across Africa with recording equipment, documenting the sounds, and music of indigenous people. (3:00)
Historical Recordings by Hugh Tracey is available from Stichting Sharp Wood Productions.

City of God -- Alan Cheuse reviews a new book from E.L. Doctorow, entitled City of God. (3:00)

When Mountains Walked -- Alan Cheuse reviews a new book from prize-winning story writer Kate Wheeler, entitled When Mountains Walked. (3:00)

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