Music & Culture

Music & Culture

As Led Zeppelin Faces Copyright Charges, The Line Between Plagiarism And Homage

8:40am June 18, 2016

Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant and Jimmy Page were in court this week answering charges of copyright infringement. Forensic musicologist Joe Bennett and NPR's Scott Simon discuss.

Timothy Laughlin (Aaron Blake, left) meets Hawkins Fuller (Joseph Lattanzi) in Cincinnati Opera's world premiere production of Fellow Travelers, based on the novel by Thomas Mallon.

Music & Culture

A New Opera Illuminates The 'Lavender Scare,' A Little-Explored Era In Queer History

8:21am June 18, 2016

by Naomi Lewin

Fellow Travelers is based on Thomas Mallon's historical novel of the same name. It takes place during the McCarthy 1950s, when intense scrutiny fell not only on suspected communists but gays as well.

Music & Culture

Music Review: 'Johannesburg,' Mumford & Sons

5:59pm June 17, 2016

by Tom Moon

NPR reviews a musical collaboration between Mumford and Sons and musicians from far flung countries called Johannesburg.

Music & Culture

Mudcrutch On World Cafe

5:28pm June 17, 2016

Tom Petty's gotten his old band back together for a new album, Mudcrutch 2. Hear the songs performed live.

Arya Shine, proud daughter of hip-hop and the man who runs all the @NPRHipHop socials, the one and only Cedric Shine.

Music & Culture

Rap Dads, Daughters And Sons: The Father's Day Episode

3:15pm June 17, 2016

Our producer, David Luke, father of David Luke III, put together this podcast, in which past guests like Danny Brown, Solange Knowles and T.I spoke about fatherhood and father figures. It's OK to cry.

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Music & Culture

Across the Blue Ridge #25 - A joyful collection of songs and tunes for Spring and Summer

3:00pm June 17, 2016

by Paul Brown

This week we hear from a varied group of piedmont and mountain south artists for a joyful, invigorating hour of listening. Bluesman John Jackson provides a serene rag he composed. Our m

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Music & Culture

Monty Alexander On Piano Jazz

2:44pm June 17, 2016

The Jamaican-born pianist, known for his rhythmic approach, joined Marian McPartland in 1991.

Music & Culture

Producer Nick Venet Recalls The Story Behind Bobby Darin's 'Beyond The Sea'

2:31pm June 17, 2016

In 1996, Venet spoke with Fresh Air about his friend's recording of "Beyond the Sea." (A version of this song is the theme of the new Pixar film, Finding Dory.) Venet died in 1998.

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Music & Culture

Return Of The Jazz Harp

2:11pm June 17, 2016

Brandee Younger and Edmar Castañeda are bringing the ancient instrument back to the music. Hear concerts recorded at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: The 312, 'Touch Your Body (Moodymann Remix)'

1:49pm June 17, 2016

by Piotr Orlov

This instant house classic unites dance-music giants from Chicago (Felix da Housecat and Jamie Principle) and Detroit (Moodymann), and comes after a week of grief in the gay community.