Terkel comments and presents a musical performance by Wynton Marsalis

Studs interviews Wolfgang Rubsam who is performing at the St. Clements Catholic Church in Chicago. They discuss the sounds of the harpsichord, piano, and organ. Rubsam explains how the organ builder and the acoustics in a church affects the sound of the organ. Rubsam talks a little about various teachers he has had and the things he learned from each. The musical numbers are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

Interviewing folk singer Win Stracke.

Studs interviews blues singers Willie Dixon, Sunnyland Slim, and Willie Mae Big Mama Thornton about the blues. They discuss the blues festival in Chicago for which they are all in town for and name other musicians who will be performing. Sunnyland Slim talks about being on the road and the hard times. Thornton describes the blues as music made from life experiences.

Studs interviews Willie Dixon and Koko Taylor about the blues. They discuss their song "Insane Asylum" and their work together. Dixon uses his song "Little Red Rooster" to help explain how the blues are created from life experiences. Taylor reflects on singers like Willie Dixon, Memphis Minnie, and others who influenced her desire to sing the blues. Taylor also discusses European audiences and blues influence there. The musical numbers are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

Interviewing William Ferris, contemporary composer and conductor, and John Vorrasi, lead tenor, as they discuss the beginning and successes of their group called the William Ferris Chorale.

American jazz cornet player Wild Bill Davison known for his wild ways, discusses his career in jazz music and life in Chicago. Davison rubbed elbows with all the Chicago bigwigs from Al Capone to jazz legends such as Fats Waller.

Studs Terkel interview with Wanda Wilkomirska about her life as a violinist. They discuss her childhood and her musical family. Wilkomirska talks about the people and music that influenced her, and she describes the differences in audiences between large cities and smaller ones. She expresses her deep love for music and her need to play her music with emotion. Music performances are cut from this particular recording with Wanda Wilkomirska. Studs quotes Ray Erickson, critic from the New York Times and discusses other critiques of her work.

Ursula Oppens and Studs discuss contemporary avant-garde piano. Oppens performs pieces from contemporary composers.

At the time of the interview, Gobbi was playing Simon Boccanegra in Chicago.

Interviewing the cast of the musical revue "Suburbs of Heaven," songwriter Thom Bishop, singers Marty Peifer and Megon McDonough. Songs include "Mr. Arthur's Place," "Why Not Talk to Me?" "The Telephone Song," "Just Because You Didn't See Me," "Suburbs of Heaven," "Times I Tried to Love You," "Amateur Night/New Year's Eve," and "Somebody Feels the Water."

The Emerson String Quartet's members Eugene Drucker (violin), Lawrence Dutton (viola), David Finckel (violoncello), and Philip Setzer (violin) discuss their past work, scheduled performances, and musical techniques.

Tervalan Porche discusses creole music, language and culture in which she is an exponent as a singer. The interview starts abruptly which we can deduce that the first part of the introduction was not recorded. This recording has copyrighted material removed.

Studs Terkel and John McDonough talk with jazz pianist Teddy Wilson about his influences and career. Wilson was initially strongly influenced by Fats Waller and later came to highly admire Earl Hines. He adapted their clean and clear piano style to his own work. Wilson aspired to be a classical musician but felt he could not attain the performance level required because his time was spent in jazz. He was an original member of the Benny Goodman trio alongside both Goodman and Krupa. He was a part of the first inter racial group to play in public.

Maxene Andrews reminisces over Andrews Sisters songs with Studs Terkel. She acknowledges the heavy influence the Boswell Sisters played in the creation of their image. She relays musical stories surrounding songs in Abbott and Costello such as "Bugle Boy" from their movie "Buck Privates". How they found the song "Mir Bist Du Schon" and Sammy Cahn and Saul Chaplin helped with the lyrics. How song pluggers brought The Andrews Sisters "Tip-Pi-Tin". How "Apple Blossom Time" helped an injured soldier at Oak Knoll Hospital upon his return to the states.