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Ed Ward Ed Ward is the rock-and-roll historian on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross.
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Ed Ward

Music

'Buzzin' The Blues' Revisits The Declarative Harmonica Style Of Slim Harpo

Fresh Air

Born in Baton Rouge in 1924, the blues musician known as Slim Harpo influenced rock bands like the Rolling Stones, the Kinks and Pink Floyd. Rock Historian Ed Ward shares Harpo's story.

'Buzzin' The Blues' Revisits The Declarative Harmonica Style Of Slim Harpo

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Music

Revisiting The Career Of Gospel-Singer-Turned-Hit-Maker Garnet Mimms

All but forgotten today, Garnet Mimms was one of the early voices of soul. Now, Looking For You, a new collection of his records, is available on Kent Records. Rock historian Ed Ward has Mimms' story.

Revisiting The Career Of Gospel-Singer-Turned-Hit-Maker Garnet Mimms

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Review

Music Reviews

New Release Brings Overdue Recognition For Soul Singer Jackie Moore

Much of Moore's music was unreleased at the time of recording and some of her best work didn't get the attention it deserved. A double disc compilation of her recordings has just been released.

New Release Brings Overdue Recognition For Soul Singer Jackie Moore

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Music

No Hits, No Problem: Captain Beefheart's Major Label Run

In 1970, Warner Bros. Records had an unusual philosophy: they'd sign artists and, instead of wanting a hit single immediately, they'd develop them over several albums. Hence, Captain Beefheart.

No Hits, No Problem: Captain Beefheart's Major Label Run

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Music

Producer Cosimo Matassa Always Believed In New Orleans

In the '60s, musicians left New Orleans, major labels lost interest, and Motown and Memphis took over the black music charts. But one producer didn't give up.

Producer Cosimo Matassa Always Believed In New Orleans

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Music

The Mysterious Case of Arthur Conley, Otis Redding's Protege

Singer Conley had a number of hits before disappearing in the '70s, a few years after his mentor Redding died in a plane crash. So where did he go? To Europe, where he changed his name.

The Mysterious Case of Arthur Conley, Otis Redding's Protege

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Music

The Toil And The Oil That Fueled The Bakersfield Country Scene

Bakersfield, Calif., has become famous for its own brand of country music. It evolved through a music scene that was wild and wide-open during the 1950s and '60s.

The Toil And The Oil That Fueled The Bakersfield Country Scene

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Review

Music Reviews

The Story Of Little Feat's Fame, Destruction And Revival

The archetypal '70s band had a charismatic frontman and wonderful songs, but they also had drug problems and kept breaking up. Their Warner Bros. recordings are in a new box set called Rad Gumbo.

The Story Of Little Feat's Fame, Destruction And Revival

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Music

A Label Paramount To Early Blues And Jazz

Between 1917 and 1932, the label released thousands of records. Jack White's Third Man Records has joined with the reissue label Revenant to release the first of two packages documenting Paramount.

A Label Paramount To Early Blues And Jazz

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The Animals: The British Invasion That Wasn't

The Animals. Courtesy of ABKCO Records hide caption

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Courtesy of ABKCO Records

Review

Music Reviews

The Animals: The British Invasion That Wasn't

Fresh Air

Largely ignored today, the rough-and-tumble quintet from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne gets reassessed in a new box set, titled The Mickie Most Years & More.

The Animals: The British Invasion That Wasn't

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The Soul Singer Who Never Quite Made It

James Govan (left) with producer and engineer Mickey Buckins in the studio. Courtesy of Ace Records hide caption

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Courtesy of Ace Records

Review

Music Reviews

The Soul Singer Who Never Quite Made It

There was a time when people in the know in Memphis described James Govan as Otis Redding's natural successor. A new compilation collects some of his unreleased recordings.

The Soul Singer Who Never Quite Made It

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