Blues

Language commentator Geoffrey Nunberg looks back on the long nights he spent in a private club in Rome where the only requirement for membership was that you be a native-English speaker. He reflects on how the language brought together people who otherwise had nothing in common.

New Orleans pianist and singer Mac Rebennack pays tribute to one of his own, the New Orleans pianist and singer Cousin Joe. This is the fifth of a seven-part performance series with Rebennack, who is also known as Dr. John.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the work of Kansas City pianist Jay McShann. As a big band leader in the 40s and 50s, McShann helped start the careers of jazz stars like Charlie Parker and Big Joe Turner. Kevin reviews a reissue of a 1972 album, "Going to Kansas City."

Country and blues guitarist Moses Rascoe returns to sing a few more songs.

Country blues guitarist Moses Rascoe will perform a few songs.

K.D. Lang, Canadian country and blues singer, who brings a compelling theatricality to her performances.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the late New Orleans blues pianist and singer Smiley Lewis, a talent Ward says was consistently overlooked.

Blues and country musician Roy Bookbinder joins Fresh Air to talk about his career on the road and the issues involved with being a white singer performing traditionally black music. He plays several songs in-studio.

Rock historian Ed Ward looks back at Elvis Presley's early recording session, which show that the singer borrowed as much from white country music as he did from the blues.

Jazz critic Francis Davis reviews a new greatest hits collection of the late blues singer Big Joe Turner, whose voice and presence were larger than life.