Blues

Rock historian Ed Ward tells the story of how Ray Robinson--an obscure emerging R & B singer--broke away from his image as a Nat King Cole imitator, changed his name, his record label, and established his identity as Ray Charles.

The band's frontman Mick Jagger turns 45 this year. Ed Ward celebrates by looking at some of the music that shaped the Stones' sound.

Record producer Huey Meaux opened a barber shop before becoming a record producer. He worked hard to turn regional Texas and Louisiana music -- made by both black and white artists -- into national hits.

Dave Van Ronk. He was part of the folk music scene that flourished in Greenwich Village in the 1960s. His musical interests have ranged from traditional folk styles and jug band music to blues and jazz. He is known as a talented guitarist and singer who helped bring the relevance of black music to white audiences both in the United States and abroad. He'll also perform in today's show.

Blues singer Moses Rascoe sings "St. Louis Blues." Rascoe, who retired from truck driving in 1983, was discovered at a folk society performance in York, Pa. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews "Crossroads," the 2-CD, 73-song retrospective of the 25-year career of British guitarist Eric Clapton. The package includes previously unreleased material.

Language commentator Geoffrey Nunberg looks back on the long nights he spent in a private club in Rome where the only requirement for membership was that you be a native-English speaker. He reflects on how the language brought together people who otherwise had nothing in common.

New Orleans pianist and singer Mac Rebennack pays tribute to one of his own, the New Orleans pianist and singer Cousin Joe. This is the fifth of a seven-part performance series with Rebennack, who is also known as Dr. John.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the work of Kansas City pianist Jay McShann. As a big band leader in the 40s and 50s, McShann helped start the careers of jazz stars like Charlie Parker and Big Joe Turner. Kevin reviews a reissue of a 1972 album, "Going to Kansas City."

Country and blues guitarist Moses Rascoe returns to sing a few more songs.

Country blues guitarist Moses Rascoe will perform a few songs.

K.D. Lang, Canadian country and blues singer, who brings a compelling theatricality to her performances.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the late New Orleans blues pianist and singer Smiley Lewis, a talent Ward says was consistently overlooked.

Blues and country musician Roy Bookbinder joins Fresh Air to talk about his career on the road and the issues involved with being a white singer performing traditionally black music. He plays several songs in-studio.

Rock historian Ed Ward looks back at Elvis Presley's early recording session, which show that the singer borrowed as much from white country music as he did from the blues.

Jazz critic Francis Davis reviews a new greatest hits collection of the late blues singer Big Joe Turner, whose voice and presence were larger than life.

Jazz critic Francis Davis reviews a 7-LP box set, The Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz, which was just reissued with additional tracks. He says the selections, curated by fellow critic Martin Williams, are essential but predictable, and often dismissive of more forward-looking artists.

Ted Hawkins busked in Venice Beach for years before recording his first album; he was in his 40s. Now 51, he has a new album called Happy Hour, which blends blues, soul and pop. While the singer is popular in England, rock critic Ken Tucker says Hawkins deserves more recognition in his home country.

Sam Charters is a white northerner who studies the history black southern music. He moved to Louisiana to learn about forgotten jazz players and make field recordings of unknown blues musicians.

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers the brash and powerful blues "shouter" Wynonie Harris, whose raucous songs had a strong influence on early rock and roll.