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The Tradition of the Black Pop Ballad.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews three albums by older black male vocalists who are trying their hand at new genres, or trying to extend the traditions they first performed in. The albums are "Forever and Ever," the second solo album by Howard Hewett, a former singer with the black rhythm and blues group Shalamar, "On the Strength," by the rap group Grandmaster Flash, and "I Need Money Bad," by John Whitehead.

06:59

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Other segments from the episode on April 14, 1988

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, April 14, 1988: Interview with Tom Wolfe; Review of albums by Howard Hewett, Grandmaster Flash, and John Whitehead; Interview with Eugene Levy; Review of the film "Beetle…

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