Soul and R&B

Music critic Milo Miles reviews soul recordings by The Bo-Keys, Royal Sessions Yellow Dog Records and Van Hunt, the debut album by Van Hunt.

In memory of the late, great R&B singer, rock historian Ed Ward gives us a guided tour of a famous Ray Charles studio rehearsal tape, circa 1953.

The great singer and pianist Ray Charles died Thursday, June 10, at the age of 73. He was about to go back on tour, but died of complications of liver disease. Charles shaped American music since the 1950s, at first copying the styles of black vocalists like Nat King Cole and Charles Brown. But he soon developed a style all his own. His career grew along with Atlantic records, which signed him as a fledgling label. Charles' first hit was "I've Got a Woman" in 1955. He went on to record more bluesy, gospel-charged hits, country, jazz and rock.

The great singer and pianist Ray Charles died Thursday, June 10, at the age of 73 (Rebroadcast from Oct. 19, 1998.)

Rock historian Ed Ward talks about some of the soul music that came out of the Vietnam war.

Ed Ward reviews the career of almost unknown soul singer Bobby Paterson.

Music critic Ken Tucker reveals his favorite rock, pop and R&B albums of the year. Tucker is TV critic for Entertainment Weekly.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Green's new album. The disc marks Green's return to secular music, as well as to his old producer, Willie Mitchell.

Tate is making his comeback after nearly 30 years. His rhythm and blues hits in the '60s — produced by Ragovoy — included Get It While You Can, Stop, Ain't Nobody Home, and Look at Granny Run. But bad record deals, the demands of touring and tragedy in his personal life took their toll on Tate. He developed a drug habit and disappeared from view. Eventually he kicked his drug habit and became a pastor. Back with his producer, Ragovoy, the two have collaborated on a new album called Rediscovered. It includes a track written for him by Elvis Costello, a longtime fan.

Soul singer Barry White, the sweet-talking, deep-voiced performer who rhapsodized about love, died on July 4. He was 58. The cause was kidney failure. His hits included "My First, My Last, My Everything," "Never Never Gonna Give Up," and "I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More." Before he became a hit as a solo performer, White put together the female vocal trio Love Unlimited and founded the Love Unlimited Orchestra, a 40-piece ensemble, to accompany himself and the trio.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles soul singer James Carr who died in 2001.

Music critic Milo Miles reviews Donnie's The Colored Section, and A Woman Like Me, the new album by Bettye Lavette.

Music critic Milo Miles reviews the new box set: Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers: The Complete Specialty Recordings (Specialty label).

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Instant Vintage the first solo album from Raphael Saadiq, formerly of the R & B group Tony Toni Tone.

Rock historian Ed Ward tells the story of Frisco Records, a New Orleans soul label run by a female fry-cook.

Blues singer Rufus Thomas has died at the age of 84. Wel play back several songs and an interview from the 1997 Chicago Blues Festival. Thomas was best known for novelty dance tunes like Walking the Dog and Do the Funky Chicken. In 1953 Thomas recorded Bear Cat, the answer to Big Mama Thornton Hound Dog. It became Sun Recordsfirst hit. In the sixties, Thomas became one of the founding performers for Stax Records.

Music Review: Babyface and Alicia Keys

Rock Historian Ed Ward brings us up to date on soul singer Howard Tate

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward considers the Philly sound that came out of Philadelphia.