Music

The members of Paramore (from left: Taylor York, Hayley Williams and Zac Farro) pair upbeat '80s sounds with bleak lyrics on After Laughter.

Music & Culture

When Times Are Hard, Paramore Calls On '80s Pep

5:46pm June 11, 2017

The trio's new album, After Laughter, sets bleak lyrics against summertime grooves. Taylor York, Hayley Williams and Zac Farro talk about that contrast and having faith in God and each other.

Music & Culture

Alt.Latino's Favorite Music Of 2017 (So Far)

8:12am June 11, 2017

by Felix Contreras

Felix Contreras joins NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro to share three standout Latin-alternative albums from the first half of the year.

Glen Campbell's daughter Ashley played banjo on his final album, Adiós.

Music & Culture

With Help From Friends And Family, Glen Campbell Says 'Adiós'

5:51pm June 10, 2017

His daughter Ashley Campbell and producer Carl Jackson reflect on the joy and laughter that went into making his final album, recorded a year after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

John Paul White performs live at the Lyric Theatre in Birmingham, Ala.

Music & Culture

In Birmingham, John Paul White Shares Songs And Stories

12:51pm June 10, 2017

The Alabama musician played the music you hear between stories during Weekend Edition's live broadcast from Birmingham. Here, he performs two songs from his latest solo album, Beulah.

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Music & Culture

Birmingham's Place In Rock 'N' Roll History

8:14am June 10, 2017

"Birmingham Bounce" was a pop song by Sidney "Hardrock" Gunter. Some people consider it the first rock 'n' roll record ever produced.

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Music & Culture

A Special Request: 'Birmingham Jail'

8:14am June 10, 2017

by Scott Simon

Scott Simon has a special request for musical guest John Paul White: the song "Birmingham Jail," also known as "Down in the Valley."

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Songwriter Norro Wilson. Wilson died Thursday at age 79.

Music & Culture

Remembering Country Music Hitmaker Norro Wilson

4:51pm June 09, 2017

by Andrew Limbong

One of Nashville's greatest all-around contributors — the songwriter and producer who worked with everyone from Tammy Wynette and Charlie Rich to Kenny Chesney and Shania Twain — has died, aged 79.

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Nat Hentoff is Marian McPartland's guest on this 2006 episode of Piano Jazz.

Music & Culture

Nat Hentoff On Piano Jazz

4:37pm June 09, 2017

Host Marian McPartland honors the prolific jazz critic by performing a "Portrait Of Nat Hentoff" in this 2006 broadcast.

Emily Haines' new album, Choir Of The Mind, comes out Sept. 15.

Music & Culture

For The First Time In A Decade, Metric's Emily Haines Goes Solo

4:15pm June 09, 2017

by Stephen Thompson

In 2006, the singer took a break from the dance-pop group Metric to record solemnly gorgeous solo music. In September, she and her band The Soft Skeleton will return with Choir Of The Mind.

Music & Culture

Stream SZA's Clear-Eyed Debut Album, 'CTRL'

3:55pm June 09, 2017

by Lars Gotrich

SZA's CTRL is here, a resolutely confident and skillful R&B album that explores the notions of control and honesty. Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar and Isaiah Rashad guest.