Soul and R&B

Rock historian Ed Ward on the Philadelphia production team of Gamble & Huff.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews Rhino Records new 6 cd set called Beg, Scream & Shout!: The Big Ol’ Box of 60s Soul

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers soul singer and songwriter Paul Kelly. He had one big hit in 1970. (Warner brothers released a compilation of his recordings in 1996)

Singer Syl Johnson had hits in the nineteen-sixties and seventies such as Come on Sock it to Me and Take Me to the River. Rappers including TLC and Hammer have sampled his early tunes. Johnson will perform, backed up by a four piece band.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Fresh Air: a presentation of blues music and interviews with performers at the world-famous Chicago Blues Festival recorded on June 8, 1997. Featuring Dan Penn, a master of nineteen-sixties soul and the writer of hits such as Cry Like a Baby and Sweet Inspiration. His songs have been recorded by artists including Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding. Penn is joined by his long-time songwriting partner Spooner Oldham, a talented keyboard player, who has recorded with Arthur Alexander and Box Tops and has toured with Bob Dylan and Neil Young.

Rock historian Ed Ward looks at how drinking has been portrayed in R&B music over the years.

Baker, one of America's great rhythm-and-blues singers of the 1950's, died earlier this week. She was 67. The Associated Press says the cause was heart complications. Baker was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. Her hits included "Tweedlee Dee," "Jim Dandy," and "I Cried a Tear." After living in the Philippines during the '70's and '80's, Baker made a comeback in the '90's when she appeared on Broadway in "Black and Blue." (REBROADCAST FROM 3/26/91).

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Apollo Records. Many of their albums are being reissued by Delmark.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles veteran bluesman Z.Z. Hill. Hill's career spanned decades, but took off in the 1980s, just when rap was becoming the dominant form of black music.

Critic Ken Tucker reviews the soul group's new album "Home Again," which he says, even with its jumble of producers, is solid and mature.

Merald "Bubba" Knight is a founding member of Gladys Knight and the Pips. He is Gladys' brother. Terry talked with Bubba about his years as one of the Pips -- one of the longest established soul vocal groups, spanning four decades.

Music critic Milo Miles reviews the new CD "Funk Power," a collection of recordings by James Brown and the J.B.'s during the heydey of his 1970s funk period.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews Toni Braxton's second album "Secrets." from La Face Records. Her debut album in 1993 yielded five hit singles.

Toussaint has been making hit records for nearly 40 years. He has a new record label, NYNO, on which he released "Connected" his first full-length national release in two decades.

Fifty-eight year old Johnson's new CD is "Whoever's Thrilling You." It's his first full-length album and marks his return to the music scene after a 20-year absence. He gave up his music career for steadier work as a longshoreman in 1972 in order to take care of his wife and five children. Friends convinced him to return to performing around the New Orleans area in 1993 and this year he appeared at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

World music critic Milo Miles reviews new releases of New Orleans Rhythm and Blues: "Crescent City Soul: The Sound of New Orleans 1947-1974," a 4-CD set on the EMI label.

World music critic Milo Miles reviews new collections and a reissue of Curtis Mayfield's work: "People Get Ready!" (Rhino) and "Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions: The Anthology 1961-1977 (MCA), and the reissue "Curtis Mayfield's Chicago Soul," (Columbia Legacy).

Rock historian Ed Ward continues his series on the instruments of rock and roll. Today's installment: is the Saxophone.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews the new album "The Score" by the hip-hop band the Fugees.