Music Reviews

Music & Culture

Fresh Air Remembers Country Music Legend Merle Haggard

1:41pm April 08, 2016

"I was, to say the least, probably the most incorrigible child you can think of," Haggard told Fresh Air in 1995. The country icon died Wednesday morning in California. It was his 79th birthday.

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Musicians from the French ensembles Dedalus and Muzzix have recreated an album by Moondog, originally released in 1971.

Music & Culture

'Behold': Moondog With A French Twist

10:13am April 08, 2016

by Tom Huizenga

A pair of French new music ensembles lovingly recreates songs by the iconoclastic New York street composer and poet who called himself Moondog.

Music & Culture

Music Review: 'Two Friends, One Century of Music,' Caetano Veloso And Gilberto Gil

5:28pm April 07, 2016

by Tom Moon

Tom Moon says simplicity is beauty in the new live album from Brazilian music legends Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil.

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Music & Culture

Robbie Fulks Sings His Way Home In 'Upland Stories'

2:23pm April 06, 2016

by Ken Tucker

The raucous singer turns thoughtful on his new album. Critic Ken Tucker calls Upland Stories a "marvelous mongrel mixture" of bluegrass banjo-picking, honky-tonk pedal steel and stark folk phrasings.

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Music & Culture

Music Review: 'The Revival,' Cory Henry

4:25pm April 05, 2016

Cory Henry is a Grammy award-winning keyboardist. But on his latest live album, The Revival, he returns to his roots and plays the Hammond B-3 Organ — an instrument he learned to play when he was only 2 years old. Music commentator Michelle Mercer says Henry's personality is a match for the 400 pound instrument.

Music & Culture

Music Review: 'Trade Winds: Cuba,' Matt Geraghty Project

5:00pm April 04, 2016

by Tom Moon

Tom Moon reviews an album chronicling some unscripted jam sessions from a variety of Cuban musicians.

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Charles Bradley's new album, Changes, is out April 1.

Music & Culture

First Listen: Charles Bradley, 'Changes'

8:55am March 22, 2016

by Tom Moon

Hear the new album by "The Screaming Eagle of Soul," which cleverly balances the vintage and the modern.

Music & Culture

Music Review: 'You're Dreaming,' The Cactus Blossoms

4:32pm March 21, 2016

If you listen to the Cactus Blossoms, you will definitely be reminded of the Everly Brothers. But Minneapolis brothers Jack Torrey and Page Burkum are much more than a tribute act. Music critic Meredith Ochs says the duo's gorgeous harmonies and ageless sound spell out just the beginning for these brothers.

Music & Culture

Alt.Latino Stakes Out SXSW: The Chamanas, Jenny And The Mexicats And More

8:25am March 20, 2016

Alt-Latino host Felix Contreras is at the Austin festival this weekend, scoping out great Latin music. He shares some of his finds with NPR's Rachel Martin.

Music & Culture

At 83, 'Songwriter-Singer' Loretta Lynn Comes 'Full Circle'

1:43pm March 18, 2016

by Ken Tucker

The country music legend's new album mixes original material with interpretations of country classics. Reviewer Ken Tucker says the record shows a vulnerability that is somewhat new to Lynn's music.

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