January 2000

Ekova's Heaven's Dust-- Ekova Noah talks with Dierdre Dubois, the vocalist for the musical group Ekova. This trio is based in France and consists of Dubois, who is originally Italian-American, along with Iranian percussionist, Arach Khalatbari, and Algerian guitar/lute player Mehdi Habbab. Dubois sings in what she terms a "spontaneous" language, syllables and sounds that express feeling and emotion, set to melody. The result is ethereal. (7:30) Ekova's CD is Heaven's Dust on Six Degrees Records in California. Phone number 415-626-6334.

The Fly-Truffler -- Alan Cheuse reviews The Fly-Truffler, a novel by Gustaf Sobin. He says he's still savoring the book's sweet aftertaste. (2:30)

Kepa Junkera -- Banning Eyre reviews the new CD Bilbao Zero Hour by Basque accordionist Kepa Junkera. Junkera has invited musicians from all around the world to join him on a recording that went gold in Spain. It's now become available in this country. (3:30)

69 Love Songs -- Music Reviewer Will Hermes examines 69 Love Songs, a three-volume CD set by The Magnetic Fields. The group, led by New York singer/songwriter Stephen Merritt picks a theme to focus on for each of their records. This theme, love, resulted in an abundance of material. (4:30)

Pilgrim -- Alan Cheuse reviews a novel by Timothy Findley about psychoanalyst Carl Jung and his fictional patient, an Englishman who goes by the name of "Pilgrim." (2:00)

Bob Marley -- Banning Eyre reviews Chant Down Babylon, a new CD featuring Bob Marley, artfully re-mixed with the voices and playing of many of today's top hip-hop and rock artists, including Lauren Hill, MC Lyte, Chuck D and Aerosmith's Steve Tyler. Marley's own kids are responsible for the project.(5:30)

Surf Music -- David Greenberger reviews the latest CD from the surf guitar band Los Straitjackets. The band is from Nashville, and when they perform they like to wear Mexican wrestling masks, medallions, and matching black turtlenecks. But their music is distinctively surf music -- with many original tunes, and some eclectic covers, like Louis Prima and the love theme from the film Titanic. The music is all about surprise, invention, and good taste. (3:30)

Gertrude and Claudius -- Writer John Updike's latest work of fiction is titled, Gertrude and Claudius. Alan Cheuse, of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, has a review. (1:30)

Fortune's Rocks -- Reviewer Alan Cheuse reviews a new work by New England novelist Anita Shreve, called Fortune's Rocks. (1:45)

Keith Jarrett -- Tom Moon reviews pianist Keith Jarrett's new CD The Melody at Night, With You. Jarrett has had chronic fatigue syndrome for several years, and has not been able to play or perform in public much. But he's used this time to record lovely and contemplative solo versions of jazz standards. (4:00)

Books & Music Review Archive

Reading Lists