Music Reviews

(L-R) Rick Richards, Bruce Smith and Fred McNeal of The Georgia Satellites perform onstage in 2018.

Music & Culture

The Georgia Satellites: A Southern Rock Band Lost To The MTV Era

5:47am January 23, 2020

by Phil Harrell

For NPR's One-Hit Wonders / Second-Best Songs series, Rolling Stone's Anthony DeCurtis recommends "Battleship Chains" by The Georgia Satellites, known for "Keep Your Hands to Yourself."

Music & Culture

Marcus King Turns Toward Blue-Eyed Soul On The Solo Album 'El Dorado'

1:35pm January 21, 2020

by Ken Tucker

The 23-year-old Southern blues rocker strikes out on his own with a soulful new album produced Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. The record is a real beauty — and a turning-point for King.

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William Still (1821-1902), a conductor on the Underground Railroad who helped nearly 800 enslaved African Americans to freedom.

Music & Culture

Underground Railroad: A Conductor And Passengers Documented In Music

5:31pm January 20, 2020

by Tom Huizenga

When it comes to the Underground Railroad, everyone knows Harriet Tubman. But a new oratorio sheds light on a different, key figure named William Still.

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After hit song "At Seventeen," singer-songwriter Janis Ian stepped away from her musical success for over 10 years, which is why Ann Powers thinks she's a bit forgotten.

Music & Culture

Janis Ian Was More Than Just A Teenager

5:29pm January 15, 2020

As part of NPR's series "One-Hit Wonders / Second-Best Songs," NPR Music's Ann Powers nominates "Jesse" by Janis Ian. She's known mostly for her 1975 hit "At Seventeen."

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Music & Culture

New Reissue From Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis And Johnny Griffin Is A Love Letter To Fans

1:28pm January 13, 2020

by Kevin Whitehead

In the early 1960s, saxophonists Davis and Griffin co-led a jumping two-tenor band. A live recording of their 1962 Seattle show is now available on Ow! Live at the Penthouse.

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On his latest album, DJ and producer Kaytranada pays his sonic respects to the Black forefathers of dance music.

Music & Culture

On 'BUBBA,' Kaytranada Captures Dance Music's Central Tenet

4:21pm January 07, 2020

by Miguel Perez

BUBBA sounds like the hazy, dream-like moments before last call; the club is packed and everyone is transfixed in a sort of effortless, collective rhythm.

Music & Culture

With 'Even Better,' Michael Formanek's Very Practical Trio Lives Up To Its Name

2:11pm January 06, 2020

by Kevin Whitehead

Though their improvising gets rowdy at times, the Very Practical Trio players don't neglect the tune when they jam. Kevin Whitehead says the ensemble's new album has a nice give and take.

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Music & Culture

Tyler Childers' 'Country Squire' Is Among The Best Country Albums Of 2019

1:21pm December 24, 2019

by Ken Tucker

Blessed with a Kentucky croon and a gift for storytelling, Childers offers a slice of country life on his recent album, with songs about marriage, life on the road and the school bus he took as a kid.

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Merritt Wever and Toni Collette play two detectives investigating a series of sexual assaults in the Netflix show Unbelievable.

Books

A Critic Returns To The Books, TV, Music And Movies He Didn't Get To In 2019

1:33pm December 23, 2019

by John Powers

Few things haunt a critic more than loving something and not being able to share it. This year, Fresh Air critic John Powers circles back to Unbelievable, Atlantics, Where the Light Falls and more.

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Music & Culture

Todd Marcus Tames The Raucous Bass Clarinet On 'Trio+'

3:57pm December 10, 2019

by Kevin Whitehead

Marcus gets a clean, unfettered sound from both his band and his instrument on his new album. Trio+ is crisp, tight and varied — with more good melodies than we can dip into.

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