Gospel

Alexandria discusses her new album "How Will I Remember You?"

The trio of singers, who come from a family of 10 children, join Fresh Air's Danny Miller to talk about their faith, religious and musical upbringing, and admiration for soul and jazz singers of the '50s and '60s.

Joe Williams has long been affiliated with the the gospel group and will officially become the newest member after found James Davis retires.

Ira Tucker will replace founder James Davis as the lead singer of the long-running gospel group. The ensemble inspired the vocal styles of several secular soul and R&B singers. Tucker talks about keeping the faith while on the road.

Rock historian Ed Ward will explore the gospel roots of soul great Sam Cooke.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles James Carr, the little-known 60s soul singer, thought to have been the equal of Otis Redding and Wilson Picket.

Bernice Johnson Reagon, singer, cultural historian and director of Smithsonian's Program in Black American Culture. Reagon sings contralto with Sweet Honey in the Rock, one of the country's leading a cappella groups. She's been described as a "song shaper and song preserver." In her work with the Smithsonian, Reagon tries to maintain obscure and dying Baptist choral traditions.

In the first of a two-part profile, Fresh Air's rock historian looks back at the 5 Royales. They started off as a mediocre gospel group from North Carolina before evolving into a distinctive rhythm and blues vocal ensemble signed to Apollo Records.

Singer and civil rights worker Benice Johnson Reagon studied Euro-classical music in college, During her time in the Freedom Singers, she returned to her gospel roots. She joins Fresh Air to talk about how she combined her musical talents with her activism.

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward explores the roots of doo-wop from jazz harmonists the Cats and the Fiddle to groups such as the Ravens and the Orioles.

Rock historian Ed Ward plays us some tracks from the "Million Dollar Quartet" sessions. It was an early 60s recording date at the Sun Studios in Memphis, featuring Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Laura Lee, a gospel singer who in the late 60s and early 70s switched to soul. She became known for her feminist songs "Wedlock is a Padlock," and "Women's Love Rights." After a string of hits she went back to gospel music, recording with Al Green.

Green is one of the greats of soul and gospel music. He's probably best known for his hit, "Let's Stay Together." He'll talk about his secular musical career in light of being a born again Christian.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Blind Willie Johnson, an itinerant gospel singer who traveled the South between the 20s and the 40s. Unlike many of his peers, Johnson was a master guitarist.

Alto Saxophonist Vernard Johnson. He's best known for his Gospel playing, performing with preachers like, E.V. Hill, Billy Graham, and Bishop L. H. Ford. His saxophone was considered too raucous for the Gospel circuit when he began playing there in the mid-60's, but eventually he became a favorite on the evangelical circuit.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead has just returned from the Chicago Jazz Festival, where Swiss composer George Gruntz premiered his "Chicago Cantata."

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new Whoopi Goldberg movie, "Sister Act." (Buena Vista Pictures)

Rock historian Ed Ward looks at some pop singers who got their start in gospel. Artists discussed include Sam Cooke, Johnny Taylor, The Five Royales, Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls, James Brown, and Shirley Ceasar.

Mayfield has been called "the thinking man's soul man." He's known for his floating falsetto voice, gospel sound, and social commentary. He was with the group, "The Impressions" for 12 years recording such classics as "Gypsy Woman," "I'm so Proud," and "People Get Ready." His score for "Superfly," was considered a musical breakthrough, and has inspired many of today's hip-hop performers.

Gospel singer Marion Williams. Her trademark, a long-lasting high A-flat "whooo," has been adopted by most gospel singers and soul singers like Little Richard and Aretha Franklin. A self- proclaimed "Holy Roller", Williams received the Kennedy Center Honors Award last night in Washington for her lifetime achievement in the arts. When she's not performing, Williams sings traditional gospel at the African-Methodist-Episcopal church in Philadelphia--the first black church formed in America. Her new album is "Can't Keep It To Myself" (Sanachie).