Music & Culture

Surviving A Shot To The Throat, Iconic Chicago Anthem Singer Returns To World Series

8:58am October 29, 2016

Wayne Messmer has sung the national anthem about 5,000 times, many times at Chicago Cubs home games. He tells Scott Simon what it means for the Cubs to be in the Series for the first time in decades.

Music & Culture

Heavy Rotation: 10 Songs Public Radio Can't Stop Playing

8:53am October 29, 2016

Public-radio hosts share the songs you need to hear now — including new music from Obongjayar, Jim James, Mandolin Orange and more.

Let David Bowie's "Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)" be the soundtrack to your Halloween.

Music & Culture

Listen: World Cafe's Hip-For-Halloween Playlist

3:54pm October 28, 2016

by Talia Schlanger

Had enough of "Monster Mash", "Time Warp" and "Thriller"? Get in the Halloween spirit with these alternatives.

Sturgill Simpson's latest album is A Sailor's Guide To Earth.

Music & Culture

Sturgill Simpson On World Cafe

3:33pm October 28, 2016

by David Dye

Hear the Americana star perform songs from A Sailor's Guide To Earth and discuss writing for his son in this session.

Music & Culture

Remembering Singer-Songwriter Bobby Vee, The Teen Idol Of The '60s

1:43pm October 28, 2016

Vee, who died Monday, had 38 hit singles including, "Take Good Care of My Baby." During a 1999 Fresh Air interview, Vee explained how the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly got him started in music.

Queue Listen Now

Wynonna Judd performing live on Mountain Stage in Charleston, W.Va.

Music & Culture

Wynonna & The Big Noise On Mountain Stage

1:07pm October 28, 2016

Hear Wynonna Judd and her band play gutsy blues and sweet country-pop songs from their latest album, Wynonna & The Big Noise, live onstage.

Music & Culture

Across the Blue Ridge #44 - New Recordings Listening Party

12:31pm October 28, 2016

by Paul Brown

There's a lot happening in old time string music these days. This week, we catch up on some of the recordings that have come out in the last year or so. We hear from master fiddlers Kil

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Mario Grigorov joined host Marian McPartland for this 1995 session.

Music & Culture

Mario Grigorov On Piano Jazz

12:22pm October 28, 2016

The Bulgarian-born film composer and concert pianist performs original music in a 1995 session.

Music & Culture

Joseph: Tiny Desk Concert

9:00am October 28, 2016

by Bob Boilen

The trio's sound has grown to include elements beyond sisterly harmonies and acoustic guitar. But here, Joseph strips down to its original setup, playing newer songs the way they could have been.

Music & Culture

A Listener's Guide To The Ghosts That Haunt Opera

8:49am October 28, 2016

by Tom Huizenga

Do you believe in ghosts? Composers from Mozart to John Corigliano have written them into their operas. Take a tour of some famous operatic phantoms.