Encore Week: Celebrating 2017's Studio Sessions
Listen back to some of the best World Cafe interviews and performances of the past year, including Robert Plant, John Mayer, Hurray For The Riff Raff and many more.
Music Interviews
Ranky Tanky Builds On The Music And Culture Of Slave Descendants
Three members of Ranky Tanky perform songs from their debut album. The band's name and music derive from the tradition of slave descendants known as the Gullah. Originally broadcast Dec. 12, 2017.
'The Lonely, The Lonesome And The Gone' Is an Ode To The Underdogs
Lee Ann Womack's new album is packed full of classic country music characters. Womack tells NPR's Lauren Frayer that she recorded it in Houston because going back home fills her with hope
From Skid Row To The San Francisco Conservatory Of Music
Ben Shirley's addictions landed him on the streets of Los Angeles. Now, at 53, he's turning his life around with the help of music.
Analog For The People: Synth Master Tatsuya Takahashi On Engineering Fun
NPR Music's year-end interview series continues with an engineer who's led a quiet movement to create music tools anyone can use.
Wear My Headphones: Damon Krukowski On How Digital Culture Changes Us
NPR Music's year-end interview series concludes with an analog baby turned digital savant, who says that how we consume music today has become a political, emotional and existential choice.
Remembering Jazz Singer Keely Smith
Smith, who died Saturday, was discovered by bandleader Louis Prima as a teenager. She later married Prima, and the two became a popular Las Vegas lounge act. Originally broadcast in 2000.
Priscilla Presley Remembers Christmas With Elvis
From the first gifts they ever exchanged to their tree-trimming traditions at Graceland, hear heartwarming holiday stories and music from Christmas with Elvis and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Jidenna On World Cafe
The star quality you can't really describe but it's just there? He's got it.
Goran Bregović Reconciles Religion With Music On 'Three Letters From Sarajevo'
"I like to understand music as a conversation," the Balkan singer says. "Music is language."