Bluegrass Legend Ralph Stanley Dies At 89
Bluegrass pioneer Ralph Stanley has died. Family members say he passed away Thursday night at his home in Virginia after a battle with skin cancer. He was 89 years old.
Music
Remembering Bluegrass And Banjo Legend Ralph Stanley
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.
Benny Golson On Piano Jazz
A giant of hard bop, the saxophonist and composer performs some of his most enduring standards.
Songs We Love: D∆WN, 'Not Above That'
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.
Guest Dose: Steven Julien Of FunkinEven
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.
Viking's Choice: Nathan Bowles, 'Gadarene Fugue'
A member of the Black Twig Pickers, Bowles whips a meditative clawhammer banjo melody into a fury.
Mashrou' Leila: Tiny Desk Concert
A rock band from Beirut gives a stunning performance, with songs that mix hedonism and heady, hyper-literate lyrics.
First Watch: Casket Girls, 'Tears Of A Clown'
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.
On Parliament-Funkadelic And A Less 'Squeaky-Clean Picture' Of Blackness
Parliament showed me that being black has liabilities, but that it's also a powerful gift.
Bluegrass Pioneer Ralph Stanley Dies At 89
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.