September 2001

First Lady-- Acclaimed writer Michael Malone has just published his first novel in a number of years. Alan Cheuse reviews First Lady. (2:00)

First Lady, by Michael Malone is published by Sourcebooks.

Leos Janacek-- Tom Manoff has a review of a new CD of piano music by Leos Janacek, a Czech composer who lived and composed in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It's called Leos Janacek, A Recollection. Janacek was known for infusing his classical compositions with the folk music of his native Moravia. This new recording features pianist Andras Schiff. It's on the ECM label. (6:00)

This Is Not a Clarinet-- Music Reviewer Colin Berry reviews the CD This is Not a Clarinet, by Evan Ziporyn. The album offers incredible insight into the kinds of sounds the clarinet can deliver. The album has been released by Cantaloupe Music. (5:00)

Rocket House-- Scott Aiges reviews Rocket House, the latest album from Chris Whitley. Whitley's debut album a decade ago was called a masterpiece in postmodern blues. On this record, he mixes songs that are firmly rooted in the blues with hypnotic futuristic sound effects. The highly stylized sound doesn't obscure the solid foundation of the songs, and Aiges says the album is both rootsy and experimental. (4:00)

Mystic-- Music Reviewer Sarah Bardeen tells us about the debut CD by San Francisco Bay Area rapper Mystic. It's called Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom. (3:15) The CD is on GoodVibe Recordings. See www.goodvibe.com

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