Blues

Music critic Ed Ward has part two in our week long series tracing the evolution of blues music in America. Today, Ed focuses on the growth of the genre after The Depression.

Part 2 of Terry's interview with the influential blues guitarists and singers. In this segment, he talks about making it to Memphis, a city that expanded his musical horizons.

Part three of Ed Ward's series on the history of the blues. He talks about how the realities of post-war life changed the trajectory of the genre.

Rock historian Ed Ward has part four of our five part series on the evolution of blues music in America. He talks about how the regional nature of the blues kept it flourishing during the dawn of rock and roll.

Rock historian Ed Ward talks about how white fans of the 1960s folk revival sought out long-neglected blues artists.

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.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the 4-CD box set "Count Basie: The Golden Years," which features recordings the pianist made after the age 70.

Critic Milo Miles reviews "I Can't Lose" (Blind Pig label), the new recording of blues singer, guitarist and songwriter Deborah Coleman.

The blues singer and guitarist has been credited with helping bring the traditional acoustic sound of Mississippi Delta Blues to contemporary blues audiences. He has a new CD called "Fish Ain’t Bitin’," by Alligator Records. His first album is titled Between MIdnight and Day.

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.

Also performing with Penn and Oldham, Rufus Thomas, the self-proclaimed world oldest teenager. He played an integral role in the success of major record labels in the nineteen-fifties, Sun Records and Stax Records. He celebrates his 80th birthday at the festival by playing with his son, Marvell Thomas.

Rock historian Ed Ward reviews an MCA release of Muddy Waters' songs folklorist Alan Lomaz recorded in the field.

Sun Studios founder Sam Phillips. He is revered as one of the leading catalysts in post WW II American music. As a record producer in the 1950s and 60s his recordings launched the careers of Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis and that’s just to name a few. Next Month, Phillips will be a celebrity host on the public radio program Beale Street Caravan. Phillips is now in his mid 70s.

Rock historian Ed Ward on the importance of the Smithsonian Institute's re-released "Anthology of American Folk Music" on CD.

World music critic Milo Miles reviews the new reissue: "Chess Blues Piano Greats" (Chess/MCA records)

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the CD “A Prescription for the Blues” (Impulse) by jazz pianist Horace Silver.

Commentator Milo Miles recommends three music books that might make suitable last minute gifts. “The Rough Guide to World Music,” (Penguin) “The Rough Guide to Reggae,” (Penguin) and “Portrait of The Blues.” (DaCapo Press). Miles is former music editor of The Boston Phoenix. He writes about music for The Village Voice and The New York Times.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews two new collections of singer Ted Hawkins who died three years ago at the age of 59. "The Ted Hawkins Story: Suffer No More" Rhino Records and "Ted Hawkins: The Final Tour" Evidence Records.

Rock historian Ed Ward on Moran Lee Boggs, otherwise known as Dock Boggs, who played banjo like a blues guitar in the 1920s. Boggs died in 1971. His recordings have been collected on a new CD "Dock Boggs: Country Blues" (Reventant label)

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews Bonnie Raitt's latest album "Fundamental." Raitt has new record producers working with her. Instead of Don Was, Raitt is using Mitchell Froom and Chad Blake on "Fundamental." They are best known for their work with Suzanne Vega, Los Lobos and Richard Thompson.