Music Reviews

Music & Culture

New Recording Revives Ravel's 'L'Enfant Et Les Sortileges'

1:27pm February 17, 2016

by Lloyd Schwartz

The opera, by the late composer Maurice Ravel, spins a modern fairy tale about a naughty child at bedtime. Critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new recording of it by conductor Seiji Ozawa.

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Music & Culture

Music Review: 'Manman M Se Ginen,' Ram

4:28pm February 15, 2016

Ram has been making music for over 20 years. The veteran Haitian band is out with their sixth studio album. Music reviewer Banning Eyre says it's their best work to date.

Music & Culture

Westerberg And Hatfield Aim For The Heart With 'Wild Stab'

1:34pm February 15, 2016

by Ken Tucker

The debut album by the I Don't Cares features two familiar voices — Paul Westerberg and the singer-songwriter Juliana Hatfield. Rock critic Ken Tucker says the songs on Wild Stab "will grab you."

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Music & Culture

Music Review: 'The Traveller,' Baaba Maal

4:22pm February 09, 2016

Baaba Maal is one of the most well-known Senegalese singers today. For over three decades, his music has won him fans all over the world. Music reviewer Banning Eyre says his first album in seven years, The Traveller, is different and surprising.

Music & Culture

New Box Set Shows Off The Twisted Rhythms Of Jazz Pianist James P. Johnson

2:39pm February 09, 2016

by Kevin Whitehead

Johnson was one of the greatest pianists of his time. Critic Kevin Whitehead says the Classic James P. Johnson Sessions (1921-1943) "paints a portrait of a working virtuoso."

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Music & Culture

Sia Reclaims Songs She Wrote For Others On 'This Is Acting'

2:11pm February 05, 2016

by Ken Tucker

The Australian songwriter who has written hits for Rihanna, Beyonce and Katy Perry just released an album of her own. Critic Ken Tucker likes Sia's singing, in part, because of its imperfections.

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Music & Culture

Lizzo Brings Ideas, Humor And Sass To 'Big Grrrl Small World'

1:56pm February 03, 2016

by Milo Miles

The vivacious alt-rapper Lizzo mixes rap, gospel and neo-soul on her new album. Critic Milo Miles says Big Grrrl Small World will win listeners over with its energy and hooks.

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Music & Culture

The Riffs And Rhythms That Led To Jazz As We Know It

1:46pm February 01, 2016

by Kevin Whitehead

The Original Dixieland Jazz Band's first recording in Feb. 1917 is often cited as the first jazz record ever, but critic Kevin Whitehead says that the roots of jazz stretch a little further back.

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Walter Martin Remembers Art History Class With 'Arts + Leisure'

4:06pm January 31, 2016

by Dustin DeSoto

The Walkmen musician has gone solo with his new record. It's a song cycle inspired what Martin calls his "shaky grasp of college art history."

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Born without his right hand, Nicholas McCarthy pursued a career as a concert pianist.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: Nicholas McCarthy, 'The Man I Love'

10:14am January 28, 2016

by Tom Huizenga

The one-handed British pianist pours the optimism of a young man at the dawn of his career into a classic Gershwin song.