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He has written a new biography of blues legend Muddy Waters, who is credited with inventing electric blues and creating the template for the rock and roll band. The book is Can't Be Satisfied: The Life and Times of Muddy Waters (Little, Brown). Gordon also produced and directed an accompanying documentary of the same name, which will be shown as part of the PBS American Masters series next year. Gordon's other books are It Came From Memphis and The King on the Road. He also produced the Al Green box set, Anthology. This interview first aired October 3, 2002.

Noah Adams talks with members of The Sevens, who call themselves a "Celtic groove band." They play for dances and occasional concerts in New England. Members are Sarah Blair, Mark Roberts, Liza Constable, Mark Hellenberg, Stuart Kenney. They traveled to Vermont Public Radio's studio in Colchester for this interview. We hear a bit of contra dance music and complete versions of I Truly Understand, and Miss Otis Regrets. (22:00)The group's CD is The Sevens, on Newgrange Records, available at http://www.efolkmusic.com. You can e-mail the group at TheSevens@efolkmusic.com.

World music DJ Betto Arcos grew up in the Mexican state of Veracruz, where he learned a homegrown brand of Christmas music. He introduces NPR's Arun Rath to a few of those songs by bringing a four-piece band into the studio.

Johnny Hiland grew up in rural Maine, where he quickly established himself as a guitar prodigy and toured with the family band. He has recorded with Ricky Scaggs, Toby Keith and Randy Travis... and now he has his own solo CD, showing off his mastery of the Fender Telecaster.

British musician Jarvis Cocker founded the band Pulp at age 15; he made international headlines in 1996, when he stormed the stage in protest at a Michael Jackson concert at the BRIT awards in London. Lately he's been reunited with his father, who left the family when he was a child, denounced American Idol-style TV talent shows, and released a solo album, called simply Jarvis.

Dick Dale is the man known as "the King of the Surf Guitar." He launched surf rock in 1960 with his band, the Deltones. Four of Dale's early albums are being re-released by Sundazed Music: King of the Surf Guitar, Checkered Flag, Mr. Eliminator and Summer Surf.

Jim Fusilli listens to The Bad Plus, a jazz power trio with a rock-and-roll heart. The group discards the usual trappings of a trio of bass, drums and piano, which usually has the piano as the lead instrument, and the others in supporting roles. The Bad Plus tackles the music of Nirvana, Blondie, Aphex Twin and their own material the way a rock band does, which means everyone is responsible for the chaos and wonder that ensues. The CD by The Bad Plus is called These Are The Vistas. It's on Columbia Records.

Neko Case grew up in Tacoma, Wash., attended art school in Vancouver and performs and records with the Canadian pop-rock band The New Pornographers. As a solo artist, her music has often tended to be more influenced by country and folk music. Her new CD, Fox Confessor Brings The Flood, is her fourth studio album. Our music critic says it contains some of her most complex and beautiful music to date.

The music of the Asylum Street Spankers hails from the early 20th century, but many of their lyrics are modern enough to be too naughty for NPR. Key players Christina Marrs and Wammo tell Jacki Lyden about their "postmodern jug band."

King Sunny Ade is one of the founders of world music. The Nigerian star and his band have toured the U.S. many times, but never African style, which includes interactive elements known as "spraying" and "praise singing." King Sunny Ade tells Scott Simon how American fans are responding.