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NPR's Tavis Smiley and music critics Gail Mitchell of Billboard magazine and Stephen Ivory talk about the significance of Black Music Month. They hash out what tunes they would want most if trapped on a desert island.

AMC's new series takes a detailed look at the intersection of crime, policing and the courts. But while its story is compelling, 61st Street is ultimately marred by a script that seems too obvious.

Andrew Wallenstein of The Hollywood Reporter reviews the second season of Reno 911, a spoof on reality cop shows that he says is dead-on funny.

Simon and Garfunkel made some of the most memorable music of the 1960s and '70s. They are back together on tour, performing old favorites and a new song.

Thirty years ago, Guy Tyler, an amateur ethnographer, began recording Emmett Van Fleet, the last of the Mojave creation song singers. Over the course of several years, Tyler spent his weekends and holidays meticulously recording the 525 song cycle that recounts the legend of the creation and origin of the Mojave people. These recently rediscoverd recordings have been unheard for decades.

Phil Nohl owns about 2,000 antique homemade recordings of various strangers singing, talking, and performing. He shares samples of some of his favorites in the latest edition of 'What Are You Listening To?' from All Things Considered.

The a cappella group The Persuasions decided to do an album of Grateful Dead songs. As "The Dead" have been icons of sub-culture since the mid 60's, and have inspired more than one generation of devotees (Deadheads), they knew that covering the harmonies would not suffice. They would have to rediscover AND reinvent the music - both for themselves, and the audience.

Bill Hawkins was Cleveland’s first black disc jockey. He was known for a jiving, rhyming style that had influence throught the industry and earned him many imitators. He also had a son he never knew. Lost and Found Sound sends that son -- William Allen Taylor -- back to Cleveland to find out more about his father.

Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews some new summer reads. Her list includes The Rule of Four, by Ian Caldwell; You Remind Me of Me, by Dan Chaon; and The Master by Colm Toibin.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new reissue Black Christ of the Andes (Smithsonian label) by pianist Mary Lou Williams.