Soul and R&B

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers the record label, Red bird, founded by songwriters and producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Their hits included "Chapel of Love," and "Leader of the Pack."

The singer and pianist has a new CD titled "Sing It" on Rounder Records. It features her with Tracey Nelson and Irma Thomas. She has been compared with Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Dr. John, Leon Russell, and, Jerry Lee Lewis. She's been called the bayou queen of the piano. Her latest solo album came out last year on Rounder. "Let Me Play With Your Poodle." The concert was recorded in September in Austin, Texas as a benefit for the public radio station KUT.

Nelson is best known for her work leading the Mother Earth band from the 1960s and 70s. Her hits included "Down So Low" and "Mother Earth." A collection of her hits "The Best of Tracy Nelson/Mother Earth" (Reprise) came out in 1996. She has a number of albums on Rounder: "Homemade Songs/Come See About Me," "In the Here and Now," "I Feel So Good" and "Move On." She's also got a new recording in which she teams up with Marcia Ball and Irma Thomas, "Sing it!" (Rounder).

The soul musician has written his autobiography "Truly Blessed" (Putnam). Pendergrass was a popular soul singer in the group "Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes". He went solo in 1976. In 1982, he was paralyzed after a near fatal car accident in Philadelphia, his hometown. Since then he has returned to the studio and produced several albums.

Rock historian Ed Ward talks about the Philadelphia soul music scene which produced such superstars as Teddy Pendergrass. Many of those artists were signed to the Philadelphia International Records label.

Critic Ken Tucker reviews the ex-Fugees member's debut record.

Rock historian Ed Ward tells us the tale of Joe Tex, a black man who longed to be a country singer, a preacher who renounced Christianity, and a life-long teetotaler who died of drug and alcohol abuse.

Rock Historian Ed Ward has pt 2 of 2 in our look at Ray Charles career. This year marks his 50th year in the music business. Much of the music comes from "Ray Charles: Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection" (Rhino)

Rock historian Ed Ward begins a 2-part retrospective on the work of Ray Charles, who celebrates 50 years in show business this year. Much of the music comes from "Ray Charles: Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection" (Rhino)

Critic Milo Miles reviews Volume One of "Kurtis Blow Presents the History of Rap" (Rhino)

REV. : Rock Music Historian Ed Ward finishes a three-part series celebrating Atlantic Records 50th Anniversary. Today, when Atlantic turned to rock.

Rock historian Ed Ward continues with part 2 of 3 in his series on Atlantic Records. This year the recording company is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. Today, we look at how Atlantic became a powerhouse for soul music.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews two new collections of singer Ted Hawkins who died three years ago at the age of 59. "The Ted Hawkins Story: Suffer No More" Rhino Records and "Ted Hawkins: The Final Tour" Evidence Records.

Critic Milo Miles reviews the reissue of "Sex & Soul" (Polymedia/Collectibles) a album first released in 1974 on Mercury by Roy C, otherwise known as Roy Charles Hammond. Roy C said it was his concept album about infidelity.

Critic Milo Miles reviews reissues of ska albums.

Rhythm and Blues singer Ruth Brown. She got her start in the 1940s, and influenced a whole generation of singers including Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard and Bonnie Raitt. Her hits include "Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean" and "Teardrops From My Eyes." Later she appeared in John Water's film "Hairspray" and in the Broadway hit "Black and Blue." In 1996 her autobiography was published, "Miss Rhythm"(Donald Fine Books) and this year she has a new CD, "R + B = Ruth Brown"

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new debut album "Supa Dupa Fly" (Atlantic) by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott. It includes her hit single "The Rain."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "The Velvet Rope" (Virgin Records) the new album by Janet Jackson, her first in four years.

Rock Historian Ed Ward continues his review of "The Philly Sound: Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff & The Story of Brother Love (1966-1976)" (Epic)