Music

The film Hustle & Flow follows the story of a Memphis pimp who dreams of becoming a rapper. Relative newcomer Craig Brewer wrote and directed the film, which won the 2005 Audience Award at Sundance. Brewer and star Terrence Howard discuss the gritty movie.

Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, the three-woman band Sleater-Kinney is known for its is loud, fast, aggressive grrrl rock. Lead singer and guitarist Corin Tucker and guitarist Carrie Brownstein talk about their music and the band's latest release The Woods

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz tells why he likes the soundtrack for the Preston Sturges film Unfaithfully Yours, now out on DVD.

Music critic Milo Miles tells us about Joe Strummer's pre-Clash band, The 101'ers. Strummer went on to fame as the lead singer of the seminal punk band The Clash. Elgin Avenue Breakdown Revisited is the reissued 101'ers album in stores now.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Simulated Progress, from the co-operative trio Fieldwork. The CD features Vijay Iyer on piano, Steve Lehman on alto and sopranino saxophones and Elliot Humberto Kavee on drums and percussion.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Triplicity, from tenor saxophone player Bob Feldman

Rock historian Ed Ward tells us about Philadelphia's Cameo and Parkway record labels. From the late 1950s to the late-'60s, their hits included "The Twist," "South Street" and "Bristol Stomp." ABKCO Records has just released a Cameo-Parkway four-CD retrospective.

A Memphis pimp with a midlife crisis tries to make it as a rapper in Hustle & Flow, a film featuring the prodigious acting talents of Terrence Howard. He spent nearly two years researching a role that he initially did not want to accept.

Rock critic Ken Tucker gives the band Dr. Dog a listen. The five-piece rock band from the suburbs of Philadelphia has cut three albums in a home studio. The latest is Easy Beat.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Magic Hollow, a new four-CD retrospective of the band The Beau Brummels, a '60s British Invasion-era pop group from California. Their biggest -- and only top 10 -- hit was "Laugh, Laugh."

Rock historian Ed Ward talks about the early days of the legendary Motown record label and salutes some of its first artists who never quite made it.

Iggy pop talks about his music and career

Rock critic Milo Miles reviews She Sang California, a new CD from singer songwriter Judy Henske. She was popular in the 1960s, but it's been 28 years since she released an album.

Billy Joe Shaver discusses his career and personal life

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Hope, Future and Destiny, the latest CD from flute player Nicole Mitchell.

Rock historian Ed Ward looks back on the beginnings of Motown's Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews country musician Dwight Yoakam's new release, Blame the Vain. It's his 18th album.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews Backstabber's Ball, the new album from bassist Neal Caine.

Rock historian Ed Ward takes us back to the early days of Motown. The first volume of The Complete Motown Singles has just been released on Hip-O Select, with 11 volumes to come.

The '80s cult band from Australia has a new CD called Oceans Apart. After recording throughout the 80s, Grant McLennan and Robert Forster broke up to pursue solo careers. This is their third CD since they reunited in 2000. They're on an international tour.