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Rock historian Ed Ward investigates the little known original versions of some of rock's most classic songs. Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, and Jerry Lee Lewis' covers are discussed.

World music critic Milo Miles introduces us to the music of Cheb Khaled. Khaled is a leading performer of Raï, a type of music popular in Algeria.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Too Long in the Wasteland," the debut album of singer and songwriter James McMurtry. Like his father, the novelist Larry McMurtry, James McMurtry writes of the drifters and loners of the high plains.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews "Steel Wheels," the new album by The Rolling Stones. The release of the album is timed to the start of The Rolling Stones' extensive U.S. tour, their first since the early 80s.

A concert with singer and songwriter Loudon Wainwright III. He writes very personal, eccentric songs that take a darkly humorous, sometimes caustic view of life. He first gained fame with his hit song "Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road." His new album is titled "Therapy." (Interview with Sedge Thomson)

Guest critic Milo Miles has a primer on world music, and he examines why it should, by all rights, be more popular in the U.S. than it is. Miles is the former rock critic for The Boston Phoenix.

Rock critic Ken Tucker continues his look at current rap releases. This week he explores the music of The Beastie Boys, Queen Latifah and the 2 Live Crew.

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.