Valerie June Wants To Be On Your Mind
June can sing a duel with the Devil, even as her voice tells you she knows she's already triumphed.
Music Reviews
Shine And The Moonbeams: R&B For The Kids
Family music comes in a broad range of styles — folk, rock, punk and even polka. But, compared with its popularity among adults, there have been very few R&B and soul music albums for kids. Enter Shine and the Moonbeams.
'South Texas' Collects Producer's Checkered Career
Huey Meaux wound up in jail twice, but he sure had a knack for finding talent in unlikely places.
Trumpeters And Troubadours: New And Old Music From Italy
World music DJ Betto Arcos just got back from an Italian vacation. He joins NPR's Jacki Lyden with some of his favorite musical finds.
Buddy Guy: 'Rhythm And Blues' Titan Channels Guitar Wisdom
The 77-year-old guitarist and vocalist's new two-disc set features cameos from Kid Rock, Keith Urban and members of Aerosmith. But the lyrics merely set the scene, and the jolts come after the verses — when the profound legend begins to play.
Vince Gill And Paul Franklin Ain't 'Foolin' Around' With Bakersfield Sound
The country-music star and steel guitarist's new album features Merle Haggard and Buck Owens covers.
'The Edenfred Files': Darryl Harper's Blues-Infused Jazz
On the clarinetist's latest album, the blues might be modernized or tweaked, but it's never far away. Fresh Air's jazz critic says The Edenfred Files is modest in a good way, like a musical chapbook or novella. The scale suits Harper's pointedly focused music.
Piano Mastery, Trinidadian Trumpet, Singing Apes: New Jazz
This summer has seen plenty of worthwhile jazz, including a pianist who's been around since the '50s, a Caribbean jazzman, a band of deliberate melody, and a cover from The Jungle Book. Sample recordings from Harold Mabern, Etienne Charles, the band Black Host and Lauren Desberg.
Sylvester: 'Mighty Real' Disco Star Deserves A Modern Spotlight
A new collection of disco numbers, Mighty Real: Greatest Dance Hits, showcases the career of Sylvester. Music critic Milo Miles argues that Sylvester — an openly gay, superstar costume-wearer from the start — was not only a pioneer, but also someone with whom the times have finally caught up.
Jay-Z Swings Triumphant Then Trivial On 'Magna Carta Holy Grail'
The rapper's new album is his first collection since becoming a father with singer Beyonce. Rock critic Ken Tucker says the album is an uneven but intriguing collection of songs that tries to navigate a path between parenthood and an obsession with commercial success.