Music News

A Tale Of Dueling Ebola Songs: One From Britain, One From Africa

3:14pm January 05, 2015

by Eleanor Beardsley

African musicians have recorded a fund-raising song to help fight Ebola. They say it truly reflects what's happening in their homeland — unlike the Brit pop Ebola song "Do They Know It's Christmas?"

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John Fry, founder of Ardent Studios, died in December after nurturing some of the best music to ever come out of Memphis.

Music & Culture

A Light Goes Out In Memphis: Remembering John Fry

12:20pm January 04, 2015

by Rick Clark

Music producer Rick Clark remembers John Fry, co-founder of Ardent Studios, who died last month after 50 years of nurturing some of the best music to ever come out of Memphis.

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James Brown performs onstage at the TAMI Show on December 29, 1964 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in California.

James Brown On Film: An Admiring And Unflinching Look At 'Mr. Dynamite'

8:22pm January 03, 2015

by Eric Deggans

The new HBO documentary Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown traces the singer's career through the words of writers, musicians and former employees.

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Across six decades, the combination of innovative design and talented players has helped the Stratocaster not only persevere, but rule. John Mayer had the Fender Custom Shop design this one in 2009.

Music & Culture

Weapon Of Choice: Why The Stratocaster Survives

12:06pm January 03, 2015

by Robert Goldstein

When an instrument sounds as good playing Daft Punk as it does Lawrence Welk, you know it's got something. The Strat just turned 60, but it's barely aged a day.

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Wilko Johnson (left) and Roger Daltrey play a benefit for Pancreatic Cancer UK in London.

Music & Culture

Wilko Johnson Set Out To Make One Final Album, But It Didn't Work Out That Way

6:23pm January 02, 2015

by Alex Cohen

Facing a fatal diagnosis, Wilko Johnson made what was to be his final album with singer Roger Daltrey of The Who. Then doctors intervened. "Maybe," Daltrey says, "there's a Part 2 to this record."

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Music & Culture

Encore: A Basic Training Workout Mix

7:57am January 02, 2015

We're again asking listeners to tweet us their favorite workout tunes. In 2012, we asked people about what music makes them move. (This piece initially aired on May 8, 2012 on Morning Edition).

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At 84, acclaimed jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal is still recording and touring

Music & Culture

Ahmad Jamal, 'A Musical Architect Of The Highest Order,' Keeps On Building

6:48pm December 31, 2014

by Karen Michel

At 84, the acclaimed jazz pianist is still recording and touring. Among his many achievements is one that often eludes even the most beloved jazz artists: mainstream popularity.

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Music & Culture

Top 10 Top 40 For 2014

12:17pm December 30, 2014

by Ann Powers

Dig below the strata of pop songs so ubiquitous you can't stand to hear them anymore, and you'll find plenty of riches in the Top 40, from country crossover to innovative R&B and classic pop.

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Music & Culture

A Rational Conversation: Neal Brennan On What The Hell Happened This Year

7:03am December 30, 2014

by Eric Ducker

"A lot of women would say Taylor Swift has the album of the year. I don't think they'd be wrong. Taylor Swift, like Drake — I don't want to like her, but yet, here I am."

Music & Culture

Remembering When Johnny Cash Stopped To Talk To A Young Reporter

7:52am December 26, 2014

by Don Gonyea

In 1981, NPR's Don Gonyea's was working as a disc jockey in Michigan when he got an interview with Johnny Cash at a county fair. (This piece first aired on Feb. 23, 2013 on Weekend Edition Saturday).

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