Since the release of the best-selling two-CD set of the complete recordings of Robert Johnson in 1990, interest in traditional American folk music has skyrocketed. Many composers who previously soldiered in the avant-garde trenches were suddenly drawn to the pureness and emotional honesty of recordings by the Delta blues legend. Among these composers is Dick Connette, who after becoming disenchanted with contemporary music a decade ago, formed Last Forever, a band featuring folk vocalist Sonya Cohen (whose uncle is Pete Seeger). Hear them in a New Sounds Live performance from Merkin Hall, performing "No Place Like Home." Also on this New Sounds program, electronic composers Paul Lansky and Neil B. Rolnick, and finally, Johnson's own recordings of "Cross Road Blues" and "Terraplane Blues."

PROGRAM # 2008, American New Music with Traditional Roots (First aired on Wed., 2/13/02)

ARTIST(S)	RECORDING	CUT(S)	SOURCE
Last Forever	New Sounds Live, Merkin Hall, 2/7/02	Mr. Olio [2:30] No Place Like Home [3:30] All Along [6:30] Boll Weevil Blues [13:30]	Last Forever's two CDs, Last Forever and Trainfare Home, are on the Nonesuch label**; these piece will probably be on the group's next CD. Info at www.nonesuch.com or www.lastforever.net
Neil B. Rolnick	CDCM Computer Music Series, Vol. 7	A Robert Johnson Sampler [12:30]	Centaur #2047. www.centaurrecords.com
Paul Lansky	Folk Images	Pretty Polly [2:00]	Bridge #9060** www.bridgerecords.com *
Also heard: Robert Johnson	King of the Delta Blues	Excerpts from Cross Road Blues and Terraplane Blues	Columbia/Legacy #65746**

*, ** Find the recordings you've heard - go to the New Sounds Recordings Information page