A country star turned rock 'n' roll pioneer, Jackson's prolific career protested patriarchal standards of music new and old. In doing so, she paved the way for countless rock singers who followed.
McPherson crossed several state lines before ending up in Nashville for his third album, Undivided Heart & Soul. The first single sounds like Link Wray and 1950s motorcycle movie soundtracks.
David Rodigan has spent his entire life exulting in and exalting reggae. In his autobiography, published earlier this year, the soundman stays away from a topic that would seem utterly central.
The Amen break is a drum riff that's been sampled in more than 2,000 songs by artists as diverse as N.W.A. and David Bowie. It was created some 50 years ago by a funk and soul band called The Winstons, and they've finally started getting some recognition.
After spending several decades writing beloved children's scores, Newman is back with the acerbic Dark Matter. Hear a conversation with Steve Inskeep, plus a performance of some original songs.
If you've been waiting for just the right musical statement to reflect your mood, hopes and mal humor, Living Colour's crunchy guitars and heavy funk just might be it.