Music

Herb Alpert co-founded the label with Jerry Moss. In addition to his work as a record producer, he's an accomplished trumpet player, recording both with the Tijuana Brass Band and as a solo artist. Alpert's new album is called "Under a Spanish Moon."

Rather than features songs from the 1970s in the recent Patty Hearst biopic, the filmmakers recruited composer Scott Johnson to write the soundtrack. His dense score combines synthesizers with heavy percussion, but retains the accessibility of pop music.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz never saw She Loves Me on Broadway, but recently discovered the reissued original cast recording. He says the musical has the feel of classic operetta, and succeeds at everything it sets out to do.

Love was the phantom lead singer on some of Phil Spector's biggest girl group hits, like "He's a Rebel," "(Today I Met) The Boy I'm Gonna Marry" and "Da Doo Run Run." She was in the Broadway productions of "Leader of the Pack" and "Carrie." Her first solo album has just been released. It's titled "Paint Another Picture." This is the first of a two-part interview.

To help fund the Smithsonian's purchase of the Folkways Records collection, a number of artists are raising money with an album of Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly covers. Rock critic Ken Tucker says Bruce Springsteen and Brian Wilson give standout performances.

The hit songwriter sang bass with the doo-wop group The Crowns; he switched to lead vocals when they became The Drifters. King got his start at Harlem's Apollo Theater before finding national fame. As a solo performer, he had hits with original songs like "Stand by Me" and "Spanish Harlem."

Rock historian Ed Ward tells the story of how Ray Robinson--an obscure emerging R & B singer--broke away from his image as a Nat King Cole imitator, changed his name, his record label, and established his identity as Ray Charles.

Folk singer Michael Cooney says that several classic songs from the early 20th century have verses that never made it onto recordings or sheet music. He joins Fresh Air to sing some of those forgotten words.

The luthier got his start making acoustic guitars for country and folk musicians. He later built instruments for rockers more accustomed to the feel of an electric guitar. Ferrington's custom designs are often asymmetrical, and incorporate the wants and needs of his clients.

Bill Harley writes music for children. His songs are inspired both by different folk traditions and his experiences as a father. He performs some of his music for Fresh Air guest host Liane Hansen.