Soul and R&B

Rock historian Ed Ward looks back at the music of Sam Cooke.

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers South Texas singer Doug Sahm.

Rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, and Guitarist Barbara Lynn. The left-handed guitarist was one of the first female practioners of the instrument. Her signature song is the 1962 hit Youll Lose a Good Thing. The Rolling Stones recorded her song Oh Baby (We Got a Good Thing Going) in 1964. After a lengthy hiatus to raise a family, Lynn made a come back in 1986. Her new album is Hot Night Tonight (Antone Records).

Church leader and gospel singer Reverend Al Green. He’s just published a new biography called “Down by the River” (Harper Entertainment) detailing the trip from R&B stardom to Reverend. Presiding over his own Pentecostal church in Memphis for the last 20 years, Green recently returned to the recording studio to record a set of gospel songs. A popular culture icon, he’s had cameo roles in movies and TV shows. He lives in Memphis, Tenn.

Ken Tucker reviews “Voodoo” by D’Angelo

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers the record label Gee which recorded of the New York vocal group sound of the 1950s.

Music critic Milo Miles reviews “At the Close of a Century” (Motown) the new box set that collects the work of Stevie Wonder.

World Music critic Milo Miles shares the story of Savoy Records, an independent label that specialized in jazz, R&B, and gospel from the 1940s to the 60s.

Fresh Air rock critic Ken Tucker gives us HIS ten best list for the year 1999, and then picks the recordings from the century he'd take with him If he were stranded on a desert Island.

Curtis Mayfield, the great soul singer and songwriter, died yesterday at the age of 57. We'll remember him with a 1993 interview. (3/23/1993)

Rhythm and blues singer Bobby Womack. His R&B and pop hits include "It'a All Over Now," "Lookin' For A Love," and "That's The Way I Feel About Cha." Recently his recording "Across 110th Street" was used in the Quentin Tarantino film, "Jackie Brown." Womack began his career singing gospel with his brothers. They were discovered by Sam Cooke. On his new release he returns to his gospel origins, "Back To My Roots" (The Right Stuff label/EMI).

We remember jazz trumpeter Lester Bowie. He died Monday at the age of 58 from liver cancer. Bowie was a founding member of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, founded in 1969. Bowie was known for his flamboyant performing, his sense of humor and theatrics, and his off kilter interpretations of R&B classics. (REBROADCAST from 11/3/89) (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES AFTER THE FLOATER).

Soul singer Barry White, the sweet-talking, deep-voiced performer who rhapsodizes about love. His hits include "My First, My Last, My Everything," "Never Never Gonna Give Up," and "I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More." Before he became a hit as a solo performer, White put together the female vocal trio, Love Unlimited and founded the Love Unlimited Orchestra, a 40 piece ensemble to accompany himself and the trio. White has a new autobiography, "Barry White: Love Unlimited." (written with Marc Eliot, published by Broadway books).

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Hadda Brooks.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews a new collection of previously unreleased material by the late white soul singer Eddie Hinton, "Hard Luck Guy"

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews T.L.C's newest CD "Fan Mail".

Guitarist Mickey Baker. The 74 year old musician is about to receive a pioneer award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation for his work as a sideman on hundreds of recordings of R&B and rock & roll records from the 50's and 60's. He recorded with Ray Charles, Dinah Washington, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Ruth Brown, and many more. The Awards banquet takes place in L.A. February 25th. (The Rhythm and Blues Foundation is located in Washington D.C.)

Chicago soul/blues singer Otis Clay. The Mississippi native got his training in gospel. As a teenager he joined the gospel/pop harmony group Blue Jay Quartet, and then worked with a number of gospel groups. In the 1960s he signed with One-derful Records and recorded the singles, "Tired of Falling In and Out of Love," "A Flame in Your Heart" and "Got to Find a Way." Later he signed with Hi Records and recorded the hit "Trying to Live My Life Without You." His newest release is "This Time Around" (Bullseye).

Rock historian Ed Ward considers the career of Dusty Springfield, and her landmark album, "Dusty in Memphis" the 1969 album which is being re-released in April by Rhino Records, along with a collection of tracks recorded in London.