Pop

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Bob Dylan as songwriter, focusing on Dylan's rocky transition from a folk singer into a rock and roller. The key, Ed says, was getting other people to do pop covers of Dylan's folk hits.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews new rap albums from LL Cool J, Kool Moe Dee, and a compilation album from Boogie Down productions.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new reissue of Ella Fitzgerald's 1961 album, "Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie." Kevin calls the album an amiable mix of jazz and pop standards, novelty numbers and maudlin torch songs.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews new albums by Marshall Crenshaw and Chris Isaak.

Vocalist Fred Schneider and singer/keyboardist Kate Pierson of the rock band The B-52's. In the late 70's, the group came to New York from Athens, Georgia and scored a hit with their song "Rock Lobster." Their danceable music and 60's style stood out among the new wave groups of New York's downtown music scene. They have a new album titled "Cosmic Thing."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new albums from singer/songwriters Jackson Browne and Loudon Wainwright III. Browne, though he's recorded infrequently over the last eight years, is still very popular, while Wainwright, who plays in small folk clubs and on college campuses, is little noticed. Ken explains why it's Wainwright that deserves the attention.

Fresh Air's rock critic combs the music charts to see which artists are making a splash internationally, but failing to find success in the United States. He features songs by Roxette, Holly Johnson, Neneh Cherry, and Queen.

The prolific songwriter and performer has been living in Idaho, away from the public eye. Now she returns with a new, more rocking album. King joins Fresh Air to talk about dropping out college to pursue a music career, writing songs with her former husband Gerry Goffin for other artists, and becoming a solo artist.

Rock critic Ken Tucker says that record labels have started to take notice of underground artists from the Soviet Union. He reviews three recent albums from Russian artists with hopes of American success.

Rock critic Ken Tucker says that Paul McCartney's recent lackluster work has been eclipsed by other pop stars, including fellow Beatle George Harrison. His new album, Flowers in the Dirt, is familiar and sentimental, but features a few good songs cowritten with Elvis Costello.

Staples' new album, Time Waits for No One, was produced by Prince. Early in life, she was discouraged from singing secular music, and later co-founded the gospel group The Staples Singers with members of her family.

The former Steve Miller Band guitarist took a break from the music industry, but is back with a new album called Other Roads. He joins Fresh Air to talk about his early albums and the evolution of his music over the decades.

There has been spate of recent albums from artists who've long been out of the public eye. Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews new efforts by Dion, Phoebe Snow, and Donny Osmond.

Ken Tucker returns with his latest countdown of noteworthy songs. His list features Roachford, Peter Case, Tim Finn, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Elvis Costello.

Rock critic Ken Tucker says that, with the rise of bad boys and neo-traditionalists in country music, fans and critics have overlooked several accomplished women artists. He reviews new albums by four singers worth checking out.

Rock historian Ed Ward says its time we give bubblegum pop another listen. In contrast to the bombastic concept albums of the 1970s that were released at the same time, these one-off songs were catchy and accessible, and helped expand rock and roll's fanbase.

The avant-garde artist has a retrospective exhibition at the Whitney Museum in New York City. Growing up, she divided her time between the United States and Japan, before and during World War II. Her marriage to John Lennon made her a celebrity, but overshadowed her own work.

Rock critic Ken Tucker appreciates Madonna's provocative public persona; she's used her irresistible music to create videos and commercials that make controversial use of religious iconography. But her new album can't fully match her image; Tucker says there are too many ballads and not enough pop hooks.

Writer Mark Ribowsky has a new biography on the prolific and reclusive record producer, called He's a Rebel. Phil Spector innovated new studio techniques; his airy, heavily-overdubbed music helped form the California sound. Ribowsky also describes Spector's severe, domineering personality, and his frustration with changing trends in pop music.

Lovett plays country music, but he's heavily influenced by rock and roll and jazz. His newest album, Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, takes its cue from the big band era.