Music

Music & Culture

Remembering Bluegrass And Banjo Legend Ralph Stanley

2:59pm June 24, 2016

The Grammy Award-winning bluegrass pioneer died yesterday. He was 89. Stanley spoke to Fresh Air in 2002 about his career and his work on the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack.

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Music & Culture

Benny Golson On Piano Jazz

2:17pm June 24, 2016

A giant of hard bop, the saxophonist and composer performs some of his most enduring standards.

A still from D∆WN's "Not Above That" video.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: D∆WN, 'Not Above That'

11:06am June 24, 2016

by Lars Gotrich

At this point, Dawn Richard — known these days as D∆WN — is simply beyond pop music. The Machinedrum-produced track celebrates cosmic desire with a video that moves the galaxy.

Music & Culture

Guest Dose: Steven Julien Of FunkinEven

10:50am June 24, 2016

by Piotr Orlov

The don of revered electronic music label Apron Records is about to release his first album under his given name. He brings the future boogie on NPR Music's latest Recommended Dose guest dance mix.

Nathan Bowles, spreading that jam thick.

Music & Culture

Viking's Choice: Nathan Bowles, 'Gadarene Fugue'

10:00am June 24, 2016

by Lars Gotrich

A member of the Black Twig Pickers, Bowles whips a meditative clawhammer banjo melody into a fury.

Music & Culture

Mashrou' Leila: Tiny Desk Concert

9:22am June 24, 2016

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

A rock band from Beirut gives a stunning performance, with songs that mix hedonism and heady, hyper-literate lyrics.

A still from Casket Girls' "Tears of a Clown" video.

Music & Culture

First Watch: Casket Girls, 'Tears Of A Clown'

9:12am June 24, 2016

by Bob Boilen

The eerie Savannah, Ga. pop band wants to express its rage with the current state of our culture as it relates to freedom and race. They've written "Tears of a Clown" to reflect their frustration.

(Clockwise from left) Drummer Tiki Fulwood, guitarist Tawl Ross, keyboardist Bernie Worrell, Billy "Bass" Nelson, and guitarist Eddie Hazel of the funk group Parliament-Funkadelic pose for a portrait in 1971.

Music & Culture

On Parliament-Funkadelic And A Less 'Squeaky-Clean Picture' Of Blackness

8:54am June 24, 2016

by Walter Ray Watson

Parliament showed me that being black has liabilities, but that it's also a powerful gift.

Ralph Stanley at the Stagecoach Country Music Festivalin 2012.

Music & Culture

Bluegrass Pioneer Ralph Stanley Dies At 89

8:33am June 24, 2016

by Paul Brown

Stanley was one of the early leaders of bluegrass music, and enjoyed an unexpectedly broad following after he sang "O, Death" in the film O, Brother, Where Art Thou.

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Music & Culture

Bluegrass Hall Of Famer Ralph Stanley Dies At 89

8:09am June 24, 2016

by Paul Brown

Together with his brother Carter, the Stanley Brothers created a smooth duet sound but it was Ralph's a capella rendition of "O Death" that took his name and voice beyond the bluegrass audience.

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