Music

Music & Culture

From Hip-Hop To Country, Critic Ken Tucker Assesses The Best Of 2015

2:54pm December 18, 2015

by Ken Tucker

Rock Critic Ken Tucker presents his playlist for 2015, which includes the Alabama Shakes, Bruno Mars and Ashley Monroe, among others. For reading pleasure, he suggests Real Life Rock, by Greil Marcus.

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Music & Culture

Son Little: Tiny Desk Concert

2:11pm December 18, 2015

by Bob Boilen

A modernistic bluesman with a taste for electronics appears with just his acoustic guitar, his singing sister and a percussionist.

Music & Culture

Viking's Choice: Aluk Todolo, '8:18'

1:00pm December 18, 2015

by Lars Gotrich

Opening the French occult rock trio's fourth LP is a gnarly thing that sounds like Miles Davis' Agharta played by a Can/Hawkwind supergroup. Enter the endless abyss.

Ruby Brafff on the cover of Very Sinatra.

Music & Culture

Ruby Braff On Piano Jazz

12:06pm December 18, 2015

The trumpeter joined Marian McPartland in 1992 to perform "Thou Swell" and "Blue and Sentimental."

All Songs Considered's Robin Hilton (left) and Bob Boilen will host a night of live music and special guests on Jan. 13, at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., for the show's 16th birthday.

Music & Culture

Announcing The All Songs Considered Sweet 16 Birthday Bash

10:08am December 18, 2015

by Robin Hilton

All Songs Considered is celebrating its 16th birthday in January with a night of live music at the 9:30 Club, and we want you to come join us.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: Derek Rogers, 'Warm Christmas'

9:00am December 18, 2015

by Marc Masters

A brief, richly suggestive drone piece that conjures chilly atmospheres and faded family memories.

Recommended Dose's Favorite Tracks Of 2015

Music & Culture

Recommended Dose: Our Favorite Dance Tracks Of 2015

3:00am December 18, 2015

Our two-hour mix featuring more than two dozen of the year's best dance tracks reflects an ever-shifting landscape that — through everything — stays true to the beat.

David Bowie's new album, Blackstar, comes out Jan. 8.

Music & Culture

All Songs +1: David Bowie Fulfills His Jazz Dream

11:05pm December 17, 2015

by Bob Boilen

Saxophonist Donny McCaslin and longtime David Bowie producer Tony Visconti talk Blackstar and Bowie's deep dive into jazz.

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Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis' version of "We Three Kings" goes on Christian McBride's holiday playlist.

Music & Culture

Christian McBride's Christmas Jazz Playlist

6:48pm December 17, 2015

These days, the host of Jazz Night In America looks for old and forgotten gems during the holiday season. He weighs in with surprisingly different and joyous tunes — plus, of course, James Brown.

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Choral Groups Honor Composer Alice Parker On 90th Birthday

6:48pm December 17, 2015

by Charlene Scott

Composer, conductor and teacher Alice Parker turned 90 on Wednesday. She made her name as the primary arranger for the Robert Shaw Chorale for some 20 years. She continues to compose and teach, and she's a much beloved figure in the choral music world — so much so that choral groups all over the world posted performances to YouTube on Wednesday.

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