Music

Music & Culture

The 1961 Fishing Trip That Launched The Beach Boys

1:25pm September 27, 2016

by Ed Ward

Rock historian Ed Ward takes us back to California's Redondo Pier, where Dennis Wilson and his cousin Mike Love first decided to write a song about surfing. The Beach Boys were formed soon afterwards.

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Music & Culture

Hear David Bowie's Previously Unreleased Album, 'The Gouster'

1:00pm September 27, 2016

by Robin Hilton

A new David Bowie box set released late last week includes a complete version of his long-lost album, The Gouster. Bowie originally recorded the album in 1974, but eventually shelved the project.

Jon Cleary's most recent album is GoGo Juice.

Music & Culture

Jon Cleary On World Cafe

12:41pm September 27, 2016

Call him an Englishman in New Orleans — Cleary's piano playing is a beloved fixture of the Crescent City. Hear him play "Frenchmen Street Blues" and songs from his latest album, GoGo Juice.

A still from Metallica's "Moth Into Flame" video.

Music & Culture

Metallica's Rejuvenated On 'Moth Into Flame'

11:02am September 27, 2016

by Lars Gotrich

The new track from the band's first studio album since 2008 recalls the melodic, lead-foot-riff-fueled, progressive attack of ...And Justice For All.

Music & Culture

Blue Man Group: Tiny Desk Concert

6:53pm September 26, 2016

by Bob Boilen

The world-famous entertainers retrofitted their custom-made instruments, confetti cannons, and streamers to fit our Tiny Desk.

Brent Cobb's major-label debut, Shine On Rainy Day, comes out Oct. 7.

Music & Culture

World Cafe Next: Brent Cobb

5:13pm September 26, 2016

The Nashville songwriter's major-label debut is reminiscent of Kris Kristofferson, Billy Joe Shaver and James Taylor all at once. Hear two songs.

Kyle Craft's debut album, Dolls Of Highland, is out now.

Music & Culture

Kyle Craft On World Cafe

4:57pm September 26, 2016

Craft's music combines the influences of his Louisiana hometown and David Bowie; you might call it "Southern glam." Hear a conversation and performance.

This week's two-hour EDM mix features a guest set from Lee Burridge.

Music & Culture

Metropolis: 9/24/16

2:08pm September 26, 2016

KCRW's Jason Bentley spins a two-hour EDM mix featuring a guest DJ set from Lee Burridge.

Frank Sinatra and then-presidential candidate John F. Kennedy in February 1960.

Music & Culture

The Long, Strange History Of Campaign Endorsement Songs

1:31pm September 26, 2016

From "Nixon's The One" To "El Corrido de Hillary Clinton," an odd subgenre of music raises its head every four years: the endorsement song. It's part commercial jingle, part aspirational anthem.

Music & Culture

Angel Olsen Sings With Fierceness And Fatalism On 'My Woman'

1:29pm September 26, 2016

by Ken Tucker

Though Olsen sets pain and frustration to music in her latest album, critic Ken Tucker says it's clear that the singer is "very much in control of her emotions and her life."

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