Terkel comments and presents the music of Chanticleer, an acapella ensemble, comprised of 12 all male voices. Chanticleer discusses the following: the group vocal composition; the groups history; various recordings; and their influences. Chanticleer performs the following songs live on air: "Benedicamus Domino", "If Ye Love Me", "O Sacrum Convivium", "Nude Descending a Staircase", "When I Fall in Love", "Jesus Met the Woman at the Well", and "Magnificat a 12".

Cathy Berberian reflects on the evolution of her avant-garde singing style and her work with various contemporary music composers. Includes an interview with John Cage. Content Warning: This conversation has the presence of outdated, biased, offensive language. Rather than remove this content, we present it in the context of twentieth-century social history to acknowledge and learn from its impact and to inspire awareness and discussion.

Studs Terkel interviews opera singers, Carol Neblett and Richard Stillwell, as members appearing in the Lyric Opera production of "Don Giovanni". They discuss their characters, Elvira and Don. Carol Neblett and Richard Stillwell discuss their careers.

This interview features singer and actress Carol Channing which discusses: the film "Shinbone Alley"; production of "Lorelei"; her grandmother; and her career. It begins with a musical excerpt from the animated movie "Shinbone Alley" featuring Channing singing as the alley cat Mehitabel. It also includes excerpts from the Broadway production called "Lorelei", examples of her character acting/comedy (as Cecilia Sisson), her reading of "Madeline and other Bemelmans", and a portion of the song "So Long Dearie" from the play "Hello, Dolly!".

Studs interviews Carlo Curly, a RCA recording classical organist. Includes an interview from two years earlier with Curly giving a commentary about Virgil Fox, his greatest influence. Curly describes his family background in music. He explains in great detail the history of the organ, how it is made, and the music written for it. He explains the difference in music between pipe organs and electronic organs. Curly talks about his experience playing in Japan. He speaks of Bach and Mendelson and their influence on the organ as a classical instrument.

Author Carl Vigeland discusses his latest book, a portrait of the 1986-1987 concert season of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO). Vigeland focuses on the nexus between art, business, and music, seen through the tense relationship between Kennedy Center Honoree conductor Seiji Ozawa and principal trumpeter Charles Schlueter.

Burl Ives, actor and singer, discusses his life including childhood, schooling, early career, married life and some of his most popular songs. Ives also talks about his books and writing.

Burl Ives was born in Jasper County, IL and he attended Eastern Illinois State Teachers College. While in college, he played some football and then he wanted to become a football coach. Ives spent time in Terre Haute, IN, where he played records and sang songs on the radio. To be a great singer, Ives said he knew he had to add dramatization to certain songs.

Studs Terkel interviews Buffy Sainte-Marie in a two part interview.

Studs Terkel interviews Buffy Sainte-Marie in a two part interview.

Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry discuss their careers as blues musicians and longtime collaborators. The close relationship between Terry and McGhee is apparent as they perform a number of original and traditional songs during the interview. Songs have been removed due to copyright.

Studs interviews Brother John Sellers about his career and other blues singers. Sellers explains that religion influenced his music as did performers like Mahalia Jackson, Big Bill Broonzy, and Muddy Waters. Studs reads some of the lyrics of blues song, "In the Evening." Sellers describes street singers and blind singers. He describes the music and style of Jackson and Broonzy and some of his own songs. Sellers performs "Talk About A Child" and "Sally Go Round the Sunshine" live on the program.

Brick Top discusses her career, her colleagues, and the jazz scene.

Bradley Parker Sparrow discusses his musical influences and growing up as a self taught jazz musician and composer. He also discusses the rigidity of the classical music world and how he likes to improvise with that music. His songs from the album "Latin Black" are played: "Latin Black Funk", "Latin Black Agagio", "Bur-wiser", and "Looking for Duke". "Reflections in D" by Duke Ellington and "Cleopatra's Dream" by Bud Powell are also played. Songs have been removed on this file for copyright reasons.

Studs interviews Bobby Short, an African American composer, vocalist, and pianist. Short describes his performances and interpretations of songs by Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Noel Coward, and George Gershwin. Studs reads a letter written to short from Coward requesting that Short sing his songs. Studs and Bobby discuss composer and singer styles. The musical pieces are removed from this edited version of the original recording.