Pop

A concert and interview with producer/performer/songwriter T. Bone Burnett. Rolling Stone once called him "the best songwriter in America." He's produced records for Elvis Costello, John Hiatt, Marshall Crenshaw, and others. His new album is called "The Criminal Under My Own Hat."

At the age of 72, Farrell has had a long career: she began in radio in the 1940s with her own show on CBS. In the fifties, she started singing opera, and has performed with every major opera company and symphony orchestra in the U.S., including five seasons with the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Starting in the sixties, she began putting out albums of jazz standards, and has just released her twelfth, called "It's Over."

Rock critic Ken Tucker confronts the success of Billy Ray Cyrus.

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.

World music critic Milo Miles profiles veteran Zaire performer, Papa Wemba.

Rock historian Ed Ward reacquaints us with music from Seattle over the past 30 years.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new release by Sophie B. Hawkins, "Tongues & Tails," (on the Columbia label).

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews TWO new albums by Bruce Springsteen, "Human Touch," and "Lucky Town," -- his first out in almost five years.

Singer-songwriter Peter Case. He took a Greyhound to California in the 70s, played guitar on the streets of San Francisco, and later got involved in the L.A. band scene in the early 80s, where he started a band called The Plimsouls. Since then, he's had a solo career. His new album is called "Six Pack of Love" (it's on the Geffen label).

Ken Tucker reviews the new album by "Chic," called "Chic-ism."

World music critic Milo Miles reviews Kabu (kah-boo), the recent album from Ethiopian singer Aster Aweke (ah-ster ah-week-a).

World music critic Milo Miles checks out the pop music of Italy. Artists include: Lucio Dalla, Mango, and Angelo Branduari.

Rock historian Ed Ward concludes his look at the last four decades of rock with a profile of 1982.

Rock historian Ed Ward goes back 20 years, to 1972.

Rock historian Ed Ward continues his look at the last four decades in rock. Today he turns the clock back to 1962.

The late songwriter Doc Pomus co-wrote such hits as "This Magic Moment," "Save The Last Dance for Me," "Teenager in Love," and "His Latest Flame." We remember Pomus with three interviews:

1) Music critic Peter Guralnick (Gurr-AL-nick), a friend and admirer of Pomus. Guralnick wrote "Searching For Robert Johnson," a book that examined the life of blues musician Robert Johnson. And he's currently working on a biography of Elvis Presley.

A concert and interview with singer/songwriter/guitarist Jules Shear. He was with the "Funky Kings," and later, "Jules & The Polar Bears." The songs he has written have been recorded by The Bangles, Cyndi Lauper, and many others. He has a new album out this month, "The Great Puzzle." (on Polydor).

Rock critic Ken Tucker discusses the year in rock music, and he runs down his choice for the top ten records of 1991.