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Robert talks to Wayne Barrett, an investigative reporter for the Village Voice, in New York City and author of Rudy! An Investigative Biography of Rudolph Guiliani. (5:00) Barrett's book about New York City Mayor Giuliani is published by Basic Books, 7/10/00.

How much of Bob Dylan's staying power comes from his signature craggy voice? And how much comes from the poetry of his songs? It can be hard to separate the two, so it's intriguing to hear his songs covered by the likes of Bryan Ferry.

Cordell Hull Reagon, a founding member of the civil-rights era quartet The Freedom Singers, has died in Berkeley, California. As a civil rights leader and vocal artist, he gave a voice to the civil rights movement of the early sixties. Robert and Noah remember his work.

NPR's Michael Sullivan in Cairo reports Arab leaders are gathering in the Egyptian capital for a week-end summit conference, called to voice support for the Palestinians in their confrontation with Israel. Egyptian analysts expect the summit to conclude with a strong denunciation of Israel, but also with a reaffirmation of support for the peace process.

A major voice in gospel before the age of 30, Kirk Franklin is back with a new release inspired by the controversial film The Passion of the Christ. The award-winning songwriter and producer speaks with NPR's Tavis Smiley about his music and why he feels that music is his mission.

Beth Nielsen Chapman's songs have been recorded by Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Faith Hill and other major artists. On her new collection of Latin hymns, the singer-songwriter finds a different voice within to sing the spiritual songs of her Catholic youth.

"Subtractions" builds a mountain of instrumentation while still leaving space for vocals. The multi-tracked voices "ba-ba" and "da-da" their way through distorted guitar leads and warm xylophones, and as the looping continues, synths, saxophones and a plethora of drums trade places at the front lines.

Swedish pop singer Victoria Bergsman has a voice heard by millions around the world: That was her singing on the massive hit "Young Folks," by the indie-pop band Peter, Bjorn and John. But fewer people heard that she also put out a solo record in 2007.

U.S. officials and analysts seek to confirm the authenticity -- and gauge the import -- of a recording that may feature Osama bin Laden's comments on recent events. Hear from NPR's Michele Kelemen, voice recognition expert Steve Cain, and Egyptian political scientist Mamoun Fandy.

If Cole Porter and George Gershwin provided a soundtrack for the city, then Hoagy Carmichael was the voice of America's heartland. A new Carmichael biography and song collection — both called Stardust Melody — lead a resurgence of interest in the prolific songwriter's work. Sing along Wednesday on All Things Considered

The title track from Ward's remarkable Post-War, this weary, trancelike spell of a song anticipates a moment of reckoning. It doesn't bring solutions or add to the rhetoric of grief — instead, the sleepy tenderness of Ward's voice, framed by pedal-steel guitar, offers an aura of consolation.

Whether performing country-blues or roots-rock, Greene has the voice, talent and confidence of a performer beyond his years. Hear folk-rock songs from his album Giving Up the Ghost when he joins David Dye on WXPN's World Cafe.

Fusing unique instrumentation with a soulful and sometimes playful voice, Sollee defies convention. His Kentucky roots shine through on his debut album, Learning to Bend, and in its photography, design, videos and music. Sollee plays music from his first CD on WXPN.

This live version of "Lowdown," a gem from My Morning Jacket's At Dawn, serves as a great way to bring the uninitiated into the band's chiming majesty. At times, the screaming-arrow lead guitars thoroughly overshadow Jim James' voice. Somehow, though, the unassuming and beautiful melody prevails.

NPR's Robert Siegel spends a year with Maria Jooste as she tries to launch an opera career. It's a year of acting classes, singing lessons, understudy appearances and an unexpected stage debut. It's also a year of setbacks, and the realization that a stellar voice may not guarantee stardom.

Ejigayehu "Gigi" Shibabaw has a truly international sound. By mixing jazz, electronica and even dub music elements with traditional Ethiopian styles, Gigi creates upbeat, hopeful music. Her range of styles and beautiful voice bring her very international sound to life.

The Lodger's "Kicking Sand" works with well-worn ingredients (memorable guitar hooks, a thumping bass line) without adhering to a single sound or era: Siddall's sweet voice even calls to mind Peter Noone from Herman's Hermits. The result begs to be played to excess.

One of the leading voices in '60s and '70s folk, Sainte-Marie wrote songs like "Universal Soldier," which she performs in this session from WFUV. At Studio-A, the singer was down to earth, flashed her 100-watt smile and laughed easily.

Thomas Dybdahl's voice has the emotional resonance of Jeff Buckley's and the vulnerability of Chet Baker's. His delicate but lush music recalls that of Tim Buckley, Nick Drake and other forward-thinking folk-rock songwriters who surrounded their basic guitar chords with layered arrangements.

Singer Kele Okereke watches as society begins viewing him with suspicion in "Where Is Home?" Any instrument that's not a drum kit or a voice is almost beside the point: During the verses, guitars and keyboards hang around for atmosphere when they can be bothered to show up at all.