Music & Culture

Bernie Worrell: The Most Influential Keyboardist You've Probably Never Heard Of

5:20pm June 25, 2016

by Eric Deggans

Composer and keyboardist Bernie Worrell played funk, soul, and broke genres as a founding member of Parliament-Funkadelic and a performer with Talking Heads. Worrell died Friday at the age of 72.

Music & Culture

'The Hot Sardines' Album: French Fries & Champagne

8:48am June 25, 2016

"French Fries and Champagne" is The Hot Sardines' new album. Singer Elizabeth Bougerol and band leader Evan Palazzo tell NPR's Scott Simon Craigslist helped them turn their hobby into a music career.

Music & Culture

Across the Blue Ridge #26 - Summer Party Music, Cultural Crossroads

7:00pm June 24, 2016

by Paul Brown

This week we mark the start of summer with a great selection of roots music that's fun to listen to above all. Whether it's a fiddle tune, a banjo song, a gospel number or a bit of the blues,

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Frank Zappa being interviewed on British television in 1973.

Music & Culture

Zappa On Zappa: 'Eat That Question' Tells A Contrarian's Story In His Own Words

6:32pm June 24, 2016

by Tom Cole

The new documentary, compiled from a deep archive of interviews, focuses on Frank Zappa's serious side — as a composer keen on exploring ugliness and difficulty.

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Ralph Stanley performs at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival in 2012.

Music & Culture

Remembering Bluegrass Singer Ralph Stanley

5:28pm June 24, 2016

by David Dye

The genre-defining singer joined World Cafe in 2002 for a career-spanning conversation.

Bernie Worrell performs at the Black Rock Coalition Presents: All The Woo In The World â An All-Star Celebration benefit concert on April 4 in New York City. The concert was raising money for Worrell's medical costs.

Music & Culture

Bernie Worrell, 'Wizard Of Woo,' Dies At 72

5:12pm June 24, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

The influential keyboardist and composer had been diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer. Worrell was a key member of Parliament-Funkadelic and played with the Talking Heads.

Music & Culture

Neil Young On World Cafe

5:07pm June 24, 2016

Join in a listening session for Young's new live album, Earth, which also features field recordings of natural sounds.

Ralph Stanley, Bluegrass Legend, Dies At 89

4:34pm June 24, 2016

Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley has died at the age of 89. He was perhaps most famous for his rendition of "O Death" on the soundtrack to the film O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Music & Culture

Remembering Bluegrass And Banjo Legend Ralph Stanley

2:59pm June 24, 2016

The Grammy Award-winning bluegrass pioneer died yesterday. He was 89. Stanley spoke to Fresh Air in 2002 about his career and his work on the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack.

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Music & Culture

Benny Golson On Piano Jazz

2:17pm June 24, 2016

A giant of hard bop, the saxophonist and composer performs some of his most enduring standards.