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55:34

Bob Neloms' Life As Motown's House Pianist.

Jazz pianist Bob Neloms joins the show to discuss his early career as the house pianist for Motown Records. Neloms worked with artists such as The Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Mary Wells. He can be heard on such Motown hits as "Dancing in the Streets," "You've Really Got A Hold On Me," "Baby Love," and "Heat Wave." (INTERVIEW BY DANNY MILLER)

Interview
06:46

"Hearing Secret Harmonies": Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever.

On this edition of "Hearing Secret Harmonies," rock critic Ken Tucker will review the television special "Motown: Yesterday, Today, Forever," and share some of the music "you didn't hear on the special," including songs by Jackie Wilson and Smokey Robinson. (PARTIAL REVIEW)

Review
01:02:04

A History of Motown with Nelson George.

Nelson George is a music writer who is the author of the best-selling "The Michael Jackson Story," and the black music editor for Billboard magazine. His latest book, "Where Did Our Love Go?," is a history of the black-owned company Motown Records. Motown employed a stable of writers, producers, singers, and studio musicians who created what became known as "the Motown sound." This soul sound appealed to both black and white audiences. George argues that that the company's move from Detroit to Los Angeles caused it to lose its sound.

Interview
58:50

Soul Music and the Dream of Freedom

Music critic Peter Guralnick explore the history of soul music by looking at both the impact of individual artists and the role record companies like Motown, Atlantic and Stax played in producing their albums.

Interview
56:55

A Supreme Behind the Scenes

In her new memoir, Dreamgirl, singer Mary Wilson outlines the history of the girl group, including their contentious legal and financial relationship with Motown Records.

Interview
06:40

Rediscovering the Vitality of Live Performance

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz shares his admiration for the Music & Arts Programs of America, a Berkeley-based record label that reissues classic performances from earlier in the 20th century.

Commentary
06:35

Cashing in on the Summer of Love

Rock historian Ed Ward looks at how record labels tried--and failed--to market second-rate bands from San Francisco's psychedelic rock scene.

Commentary
06:50

Looking Beyond Motown

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers the black Detroit musicians who made their mark with the city's smaller record labels.

Commentary
08:53

What's Lost When Black Music Goes Commercial

Music critic Nelson George considers the changing nature of black music. In the past, Nelson says, African American artists, record store owners, and concert promoters were more community oriented. He thinks the focus now is on corporate-backed, commercial success.

Interview
27:41

The "A" in A&M Records

Herb Alpert co-founded the label with Jerry Moss. In addition to his work as a record producer, he's an accomplished trumpet player, recording both with the Tijuana Brass Band and as a solo artist. Alpert's new album is called "Under a Spanish Moon."

Interview
06:50

Ruth Brown's Early Years.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Ruth Brown. Back in the 50s, Brown was one of the country's top female R&B singer, with hits such as "So Long" and "Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean."

Commentary
07:14

Record Mogul Bobby Robinson.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Bobby Robinson and his Harlem record labels which were responsible for such hits as "Kansas City," and "Fannie Mae," and for launching the career of Gladys Knight.

Commentary
06:43

An Independent Label Finds Success with Black Artists

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward gives us the first part of a two part history of Scepter Records, which--led by Florence Greenberg--discovered and produced the Shirelles and Dionne Warwick, and helped bring black music into the mainstream.

Commentary
21:36

Record Producer Jerry Wexler

A live interview with the former Atlantic Records executive. Wexler was the producer behind some of the greatest soul music of the 60s, including classic sessions with Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding. His memoir of his career is called "Rhythm and the Blues."

Interview

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