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Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews To Tulsa and Back by J.J. Cale, and Roll It Down by Canadian-American Ray Bonneville.

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.

NPR's Scott Simon talks to actor Kevin Kline, who stars as Cole Porter in the new motion picture about the man and his music, De-Lovely. Kline made a stunning dramatic film debut in Sophie's Choice, but he may be best known for his roles in the film comedies A Fish Called Wanda and In and Out. He's also won Tony Awards for his Broadway performances in On the 20th Century and Pirates of Penzance.

Friends, family and fans of musician Ray Charles, who died last week after a long battle with liver disease, gather in Los Angeles Friday to remember his life and music with testimonies, sermons and performances by B.B. King, Stevie Wonder and other music legends. Hear NPR coverage.

Music commentator Alexandra Patsavas is a music supervisor in Los Angeles, and we let her listen to all the new albums so we don't have to. Today, she's got five song suggestions that you should consider including in your summer music rotation: "Float On" by Modest Mouse; "Somebody Told Me" by The Killers; "Spitting Games" by Snow Patrol; "Saturday Night" by Ozomatli; and "One Horse Town" by The Thrills.

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 Tavis Smiley Show bids music legend Ray Charles a final goodbye. On Thursday, a long line formed around the Los Angeles Convention Center where people paid their final respects to the music legend. We hear from Mable John, who wrote more that 52 songs for Ray Charles and served as lead vocalist and director of the Raylettes backup singing group.

NPR's Steve Inskeep reports that a National Hip-Hop Political Convention in New Jersey hopes to create a political platform for the hip-hop community and encourage people to vote.

Los Lobos' new CD, appropriately named The Ride, celebrates the band's 30 years together. Hear their extended interview with NPR's Renee Montagne and live performance at NPR.

Tom Moon reviews Jill Scott's new CC, Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2. Scott had an incredibly successful debut recording 4 years ago. She has kept a fairly low profile until now. Tom Moon says her new recording is in a tradition of great soul singers writing about the political in personal terms.