In-Studio Performances

We feature three members of the quintet Ranky Tanky: guitarist and singer CLAY ROSS, singer QUIANA PARLER, and trumpeter and singer CHARLTON SINGLETON. The group hails from South Carolina and they play the music of/inspired by the Gullah culture, found in the low country regions of South Carolina and Georgia. The Gullah people were descendants of slaves from West Africa. Three members of the band are Gullah. Ranky Tanky's songs are a mix of spirituals, dance music and children's rhymes. Their debut CD titled Ranky Tanky has been in the top 10 of Itunes jazz albums.

Frishberg's playful songs include "Peel Me a Grape" and "A Little Taste." To mark the publication of his new memoir, My Dear Departed Past, we listen back to a 1991 interview with the songwriter.

Giddens' Freedom Highway is an exploration of African-American experiences, accompanied by an instrument with its own uniquely African-American story: the banjo. Originally broadcast May 11, 2017.

During a 2000 visit to the Fresh Air studios, the former teen idol performed old songs, new songs and songs by blues and country performers who influenced him.

Dion has just released a CD of new songs, covers and new versions of his old hits. It's called New Masters (Collectables, 2003). In the late 1950s, Dion and his band the Belmonts topped the charts with several pop hits, earning him the status of teen idol. His best known songs include "I Wonder Why," "A Teenager in Love," "The Wanderer," and "Runaround Sue." This interview first aired Oct. 17, 2000.

We listen back to an interview with the eccentric singer and performer Tiny Tim. Born Herbert B. Khaury, he began performing in the 1950s. He is best known for his performances on Laugh-In, especially his croonings of "Tip Toe Through the Tulips." Tiny Tim died in 1996. There's a new box set of his recordings God Bless Tiny Tim. This interview originally aired on June 16, 1996.

Pianist and composer Dave Burrell was an important part of the free jazz scene of the 1960s, recording with Pharoah Sanders, Marion Brown, Archie Shepp and others. His new CD with his Full-Blown Trio, Expansion, marks Burrell's first recording for a U.S. label in almost 40 years.

While on tour for her album, Over and Even, Shelley stopped by WHYY to play some of her songs along with accompanist Nathan Salsburg. She tells Fresh Air's Sam Briger she's always wanted to perform.

"We think it's all a bit vulgar, you know, cashing in on Christmas," Lowe says of the British. He says he took it as a challenge: Quality Street tackles old classics and adds originals to the mix.
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