Blues

Rock critic Ken Tucker gives an update on the hard-rock scene and plays some music by three talented new groups: the Southern band "The Black Crowes," the Irish folk-influenced "Raindogs," and the "Rave-Ups," who aren't really new, but have just released their first album on a major label.

Record producer and folklorist Chris Strachwitz (rhymes with "crock-witz"). In 1960, Strachwitz started Arhoolie records as a leading outlet for many types of music that were disappearing our outside the mainstream. Today, the label has hundreds of titles, featuring blues, cajun, country and bluegrass, Tex-Mex, and many other styles.

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward tells the story of "Rabbit" Brown, a little-known New Orleans blues singer from the 20s who made some of the most haunting music you'll ever hear.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the music of two tenor saxophonists, who are father and son. Von Freeman from the Chicago blues style, plays with his son, Chico Freeman, on the album "Freeman & Freeman," (on the India Navigation label). Whitehead also reviews Von Freeman's album "Walkin Tuff!" (on Chicago's "Southport" label).

Rock guitarist Eric Clapton. His friends call him "Slowhand," his fans call him "God." Whatever name he goes by, Eric Clapton is at or near the top of any list of the greatest guitar players in rock history. Clapton started out playing blues with the Yardbirds (For Your Love) in the early 60s, then played with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers before forming Cream, one of the 60s most influential bands (Crossroads, White Room).

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Journeyman," the new album from veteran rocker Eric Clapton.

Music writer Peter Guralnick. His new book, "Searching For Robert Johnson," examines the brief life of perhaps the greatest blues musician of all time. In the 20s and 30s, Johnson was "King of the Delta Blues Singers," and a sensation throughout the South. Johnson died at age 27, shot to death by a jealous husband, but his music continued to be studied and copied by artists such as Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones.

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward talks about what happened to the blues from 1966 to the present. They were supposed to be dead during this period, but he says there are some eternals that keep going on no matter what.

Rock historian Ed Ward investigates the little known original versions of some of rock's most classic songs. Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, and Jerry Lee Lewis' covers are discussed.

Tex-Mex rocker Doug Sahm. For many, he's still best known for his stint with the Sir Douglas Quintet, a group of Texans and Mexicans who were packaged to look like a British Invasion band. The group sported regal coats and fakey British accents and cranked out hits like "Mendocino" and "She'a About a Mover." Sahm has been playing a variety of styles ever since, including Tex-Mex, blues, rhythm and blues, rock. Sahm is now touring with Antone's Texas R&B Revue, and has just released a new album, titled Juke Box Music.