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Music Reviews

American Roots Music

Meredith Ochs reviews American Roots Music, a four-CD box set of American country, blues, gospel, folk and other genres. (4:30) The compilation is inspired by last year's television documentary series of the same name. Copyright 2001, Palm Pictures. See palmpictures.com.

American Roots Music

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'The Lion That Roars: Live in America'

Banning Eyre reviews the new live CD from Hakim, one of Egypt's most popular young singers. Hakim is known to his fan as the "Lion of Egypt." He recorded "The Lion Roars: Live in America in New York early last year. (4:00) The CD is on the Mondo Melodia label.

'The Lion That Roars: Live in America'

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Review: The B-52s Anthology

David Greenberger reviews Nude on the Moon — The B-52s Anthology. It's a two-CD set that covers more than 20 years of songs from this pop band from Athens, Ga. Their sound has always been playful, space age, and loopy. Many of their songs became party anthems, like "Rock Lobster", "Love Shack", and "Private Idaho." Greenberger says this set is a great collection of songs from a surprisingly inventive and resilient career.

Review: The B-52s Anthology

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Hebrew Melodies

Music critic Tom Manoff reviews Turban and Nemtsov Play Hebrew Melodies, a recording from violinist Ingolf Turban and pianist Jascha Nemtsov. More than half the recording is devoted to music written by the Russian composer Joseph Achron. Manoff says Achron's compositions create classical music with Jewish folk themes.

Hebrew Melodies

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Jay Farrar

Jay Farrar has been in two bands — Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt — popular for mixing rock and country music. Now Jay Farrar has a solo recording that continues to explore the alternative country sound. Reviewer Meredith Ochs says the new CD, Sebastopol, combines some rock music studio tricks with lyrics that take a microscope to the roadsides of America. (4:30) The CD is Sebastopol by Jay Farrar, on Artemis Records. See http://www.artemisrecords.com and http://www.jayfarrar.net.

Jay Farrar

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Miles Davis' 'In a Silent Way'

David Greenberger reviews The Complete 'In a Silent Way' Sessions, by Miles Davis. In 1969, Miles Davis released In a Silent Way, a 38-minute LP. Now previously unreleased sets are being offered, totaling nearly four hours of music. Greenberger says this music represents an important, brief period in Davis' evolution as a jazz performer and producer.

Miles Davis' 'In a Silent Way'

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