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Soul and R&B

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06:53

Curtis Mayfield Secures His Place in Soul Music

Ed Ward concludes his two-part history of the politically-minded singer and songwriter. Mayfield was recruited by Columbia Records so that label could compete with Motown. After a few career missteps with other labels, Mayfield scored two hits from his soundtrack the film Superfly.

Commentary
06:37

A Curtis Mayfield Retrospective

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.

Commentary
10:28

Blues Guitarist and Singer Robert Cray

Unlike other blues musicians whose sound is rooted in a particular place, Cray moved around the country throughout his youth. His hits include such songs as "Smoking Gun" and "I Guess I Showed Her." He's got a new album now, Midnight Stroll, which revives the the style of 1960s soul.

Interview
10:35

The Godfather of Soul's Sax Player

Maceo Parker was a member of James Brown's horn section. Parker was hired along with his brother, but soon made a name for himself. His new album is a straightforward jazz record, called Roots Revisited.

Interview
24:55

Soul Music Guitarist and Producer Steve Cropper

Cropper is a white musician who fell in love with black music. As a guitar player, he preferred working in the studio rather than on the road, and later became part of the house rhythm section for Stax Records. He's best known for his playing with Booker T & the MGs and Otis Redding.

Interview
24:19

James Brown's Ghostwriter Bruce Tucker

Tucker wrote Brown's memoir, The Godfather of Soul, which was recently reprinted. He joins Fresh Air to talk about Brown's rise as a soul singer, the evolution of his stage persona, and his recent conviction and imprisonment, a punishment which Tucker believes is too severe based on the charges.

07:27

The Best Music of the Summer

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.

Review
06:56

A Great Blues Talent Among the Imitators

Shortly after Ray Charles endured a family tragedy, he started to go blind. His mother feared for his future, but Charles was able to make a career in music. Rock historian Ed Ward describes how Charles, who was steeped in the tradition of Nat King Cole, developed his own unique voice.

Commentary
06:58

Little Richard, the Early Years: Finding His Way.

Rock historian Ed Ward begins a two-part profile on Little Richard. This week he tells us about Little Richard's early years, when he had more ambition than success and was still trying to make his mark in the music world.

Commentary
07:55

The Roots of Doo-Wop.

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward explores the roots of doo-wop from jazz harmonists the Cats and the Fiddle to groups such as the Ravens and the Orioles.

Commentary
06:56

Leiber and Stoller's Record Labels and Their Hits.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the Red Bird record label and its soul subsidiary Blue Cat. They were the creations of the 60s songwriting and producing team, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The labels' hits include "Going to the Chapel," and "Boy From New York City."

Commentary
06:56

Two White Artists Drawing on Black Sounds and Styles.

Rock critic Ken Tucker checks out singers Michael Bolton and Lisa Stansfield. Ken says Bolton's nothing to sing about, despite his recent Grammy for best pop male vocal. However, Ken says Stansfield's done a good job in mixing 70's disco-soul with 90's dance music.

Review
06:57

A Harmony Group Ruined by Success.

Rock historian Ed Ward has a retrospective on the Five Keys, a black harmony group that turned out a number of pop and R&B hits in the early 1950's. Their hits included "The Glory of Love," "Ling Ting Tong," and "Close Your Eyes."

Commentary
06:55

The Man Who Defined the Sound of Sophisticated Soul.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles arranger and producer Thom (pronounced "tom") Bell. Bell's responsible for much of what came to be known as the "Philly" sound, a result of his work with groups such as the Delfonics and the Stylistics.

Commentary
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
06:56

A Cool Yule with Black Musicians.

Rock historian Ed Ward plays a retrospective of Santa Claus songs by black popular musicians from Charles Brown singing "Merry Christmas, Baby" in the 1940's to James Brown's "Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto" in the 1960's. Also features songs from: the Pilgrim Travelers, Roy Milton, Oscar McLollie and His Honey Jumpers, the Voices, the Marquees (not the Stax group), andClyde Lasley.

Commentary

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