Pop

Rock historian Ed Ward begins a two-part profile of the influential singer, songwriter, and guitar player. Mayfield was recently injured during a performance, and is now paralyzed.

Replacements singer and songwriter Paul Westerburg has a reputation for rawness and bad stage behavior -- as well a strong pop sensibility. His band has lasted over a decade, in part because of their willingness to mellow and evolve. The Replacements' new album is All Shook Down.

On the occasion of what would have been the Beatle's 50th birthday, rock historian Ed Ward considers what bands and song may have influenced Lennon before he started his legendary group with Paul McCartney.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says some of the best parts of classic songs like "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and "A Foggy Day" are the half-sung, almost-spoken introductions. But many singers skip them, opting to begin with the chorus. Whitehead remembers some of these forgotten intros.

Carter was once considered too rock for country and too country for rock. But she says country music has come around to her distinctive sound. Carter is the daughter of June Carter Cash, and sang on the road with the Carter Family. Her new album is called I Fell in Love.

World music commentator Milo Miles turns to one of the newest countries in the world, Mozambique and discovers a local band called Eyuphuro. Their new CD, Mama Mosambiki is polished, with a skillful blend of acoustic and electric instruments, and a strong feminist message.

Artists like Bonnie Raitt and Bob Dylan had hits with songs by John Hiatt. Despite Hiatt's success as a songwriter, he hasn't yet topped the charts as a performer. He joins Fresh Air to talk about his career, quitting drinking, and his new album, Stolen Moments.

Mark Halliday returns to Fresh Air to recite two of his poems, about families, nostalgia, music, and memory.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews two albums representative of the new, technology fueled variation on the classic Jamaican style. He says its accessibility may give reggae the larger audience it deserves.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the music featured in Days of Thunder, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, and Dick Tracy. Whatever you may think of the movies, each soundtrack album has at least a few gems.

As the season comes to an end, Ken Tucker reviews some of his favorite new releases, including albums by The Time, Mariah Carey, The Allman Brothers, and Bonnie Raitt.

Fresh Air producer Amy Salit interviews Yankovic, who now has eight parody albums under his belt. Before he writes his version of a song, he secures permission with the original artist -- which has given him the opportunity to meet several musicians he admires.

Talking Heads frontman David Byrne featured Brazilian singer Margarich Menezes on a recent tour. World music critic Milo Miles says she blew Byrne out of the water. Menezes' politically-informed new album, Elegibo, is intriguing but uneven -- though Miles admits that, as an American listener, he may be missing something.

Along with bandmate Stephen Stills -- and occasionally Neil Young -- Crosby and Nash have been writing and recording folk rock songs with distinctive, tight harmonies. Their career began in the 1960s, and has weathered addiction and personal conflict. Crosby, Stills & Nash have a new album called Live It Up.

Biographer Laurence Bergreen. His new book is "As Thousands Cheer: The Life of Irving Berlin." (published by Viking Press). Bergreen is also the author of "James Agee: A Life."

Musician and songwriter John Hiatt. Hiatt spent years writing country tunes for other performers. In the past few years he's come into his own as a performer, with several critically-acclaimed albums. His latest is called "Stolen Moments," on A&M Records.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Madonna's new album, "I'm Breathless." It's music from, and inspired by, the new movie, "Dick Tracy." The album's on Warner.

World music critic Milo Miles checks out the music of Ethiopia.

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward takes the first of a two part look at surf music.

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.