Soul and R&B

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.

Rock critic Ken Tucker tells us about two of his favorite hits from the summer. He thinks Tom Cochrane's "Life is a Highway" is a triumph of rock and roll cliches, while En Vogue's cover Aretha Franklin's "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" is the "dreamiest hit of the year."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews two new come-back albums by 70s singers Ann Peebles and Otis Clay, ("Full Time Love," and "I'll Treat You Right," both on the Bullseye Blues Label - a subsidiary of Boston's Rounder Records)

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the hip-hop hits of TLC (their current hit is "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" on LaFace Records' "Ooooooohhh...On The TLC Tip") and Kriss Kross ("Jump" on Columbia's "Totally Krossed Out").

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.

Rock historian Ed Ward goes back 20 years, to 1972.

Rock historian Ed Ward continues his look at the last four decades in rock. Today he turns the clock back to 1962.

Rock critic Ed Ward, in honor of Elvis' birthday, looks into the rhythm and blues roots of his music.

The late songwriter Doc Pomus co-wrote such hits as "This Magic Moment," "Save The Last Dance for Me," "Teenager in Love," and "His Latest Flame." We remember Pomus with three interviews:

1) Music critic Peter Guralnick (Gurr-AL-nick), a friend and admirer of Pomus. Guralnick wrote "Searching For Robert Johnson," a book that examined the life of blues musician Robert Johnson. And he's currently working on a biography of Elvis Presley.

Rock historian Ed Ward begins a series of pieces on rock 10, 20, 30, and 40 years ago. Today, he goes back to 1952, and the early days of rock and roll.

There's been a flood of CD anthologies this year documenting the careers of many great early rock and rollers. Rock historian Ed Ward tells us what ones he likes best, and what ones would make the best Christmas presents.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the songwriting team of Don Harris and Dewey Terry. They worked at Los Angeles' Specialty Records, where Little Richard also recorded, and gave the studio some of its biggest hits.

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers the little known era of the show bands and groups like The Boogie Kings, The Triumphs, and The Uniques.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Jumptime," the first in a series of reissues of 50s singles from alto saxophonist and singer Tab Smith. (Smith originally recorded these tunes for the United label. They're being reissued by the Delmark label in Chicago).

Rock Historian Ed Ward reviews a 9-CD reissue from the old soul label Stax, the Memphis label that brought us Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, Sam and Dave, and Booker T and the MG's.

Green is one of the greats of soul and gospel music. He's probably best known for his hit, "Let's Stay Together." He'll talk about his secular musical career in light of being a born again Christian.

Rock historian Ed Ward looks back at some of the best soul music of the 70s. Rhino Records has just released a series of CDs collecting the best hits of that decade.

Baker had a series of hits in the 50s, among them "Bumblebee," and "Jim Dandy to the Rescue." During her hiatus from performing in the United States, she lived in the Philippines and booked concerts for American soldiers.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Laura Lee, a gospel singer who in the late 60s and early 70s switched to soul. She became known for her feminist songs "Wedlock is a Padlock," and "Women's Love Rights." After a string of hits she went back to gospel music, recording with Al Green.

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward profiles pioneering rhythm and blues artists Joe and Jimmy Liggins. Joe recorded one of the the genre's first hits,"The Honeydripper" in 1945. Jimmy was a lesser musical figure, but also enjoyed success with his more rough and ready style.