Music

Music & Culture

Dwight Yoakam Says New Album Was Inspired By Coal Mining And Mountain Music

2:19pm December 06, 2016

The country star plays songs and talks with Fresh Air about his grandfather's work in the coal mines. Yoakam's latest album, Swimmin' Pools, Movie Stars ... features bluegrass versions of his hits.

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Music & Culture

6 Jazz Virtuosos Share The Stage In 'The Concert Of The Century'

1:32pm December 06, 2016

by Kevin Whitehead

Kevin Whitehead reviews a newly released recording of the '80 Montreal concert in which Dizzy Gillespie is joined by jazz legends Milt Jackson, Hank Jones, Ray Brown, James Moody and Philly Joe Jones.

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Beyoncé performs onstage during "The Formation World Tour" at Levi's Stadium on Sept. 17 in Santa Clara, California.

Music & Culture

Grammy Nominations Pit Beyoncé Against Adele

11:58am December 06, 2016

by Stephen Thompson

The two will face off for Album Of The Year, along with Drake, Justin Bieber and Sturgill Simpson. Other top nominees include Rihanna, Kanye West and Chance The Rapper.

Stef Chura's debut album, Messes, comes out Jan. 27, 2017.

Music & Culture

First Watch: Stef Chura, 'Spotted Gold'

11:51am December 06, 2016

by Anna Marketti

After years of playing Michigan's DIY scene, Chura is releasing her debut album, Messes, in January. "Spotted Gold" is the third single.

Fred Thomas' new album, Changer, comes out Jan. 27.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: Fred Thomas, 'Voiceover'

11:00am December 06, 2016

by Lars Gotrich

The chorus-less, frenetic power-pop song narrates a string of feelings — the laundromat, the grocery store, the angry dad, the White Castle — that regulate our existence.

The Marcus King Band performs at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia.

Music & Culture

The Marcus King Band On World Cafe

8:00am December 06, 2016

by David Dye

Watch the 20-year-old guitarist, whose new album was produced by Warren Haynes, play "Virginia" live in Philadelphia.

Ro James performs a Tiny Desk Concert on Oct. 11, 2016. (Raquel Zaldivar/NPR)

Music & Culture

Ro James: Tiny Desk Concert

6:35pm December 05, 2016

by Bobby Carter

Bringing the heat to the NPR Music offices, the R&B singer performs three funky, sexy, stripped-down songs from his debut album, Eldorado.

Music & Culture

Miranda Lambert Mixes Assertiveness With Vulnerability On Her New Record

5:42pm December 05, 2016

by Ken Tucker

Lambert's new release features 24 songs on 2 CDs. Critic Ken Tucker calls The Weight of These Wings a collection that "keeps on giving the deeper you get into it."

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Southern California native Anderson .Paak is KCRW's pick for best new artist of 2016.

Music & Culture

Metropolis: 12/3/16

4:55pm December 05, 2016

This week's two-hour mix from KCRW's Jason Bentley begins with a track by Anderson .Paak, KCRW's pick for best new artist of 2016.

After 15 Years Of Silence, New York City's Trinity Church Organ Returns

4:40pm December 05, 2016

by Bradley George

The historic organ of New York City's Trinity Church has been silent for 15 years. That's because Trinity is on Wall Street, and it was buried in dust and debris during the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Now the organ is in Georgia and has just been reconsecrated.