Music

'Fresh Air' Remembers Johnny Gimble, The 'King Of The Swing Fiddle'

1:16pm June 26, 2015

Gimble, who died Saturday at the age of 88, spent years playing fiddle with the Texas Playboys. He was regarded by critics as one of the best to ever pick up a bow. Originally broadcast April 9, 2010.

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Music & Culture

Leon Bridges Offers Retro R&B With A Twist In 'Coming Home'

3:24pm June 25, 2015

by Ken Tucker

The Texas-raised singer connects to R&B music from the past — and challenges himself to give it an updated sound — in his new album. Critic Ken Tucker says Bridges' album packs an emotional punch.

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Composer James Horner, seen here at a movie premiere in 2012, is believed to have died in a plane crash.

James Horner, A Giant Among Movie Music Composers, Is Dead, Agents Say

11:38pm June 23, 2015

by Bill Chappell

A single-engine plane registered to Horner crashed on Monday in an area 60 miles from Santa Barbara, Calif. There were no survivors.

SOAK's debut album, Before We Forgot How To Dream, comes out June 2.

Music & Culture

Review: SOAK, 'Before We Forgot How To Dream'

10:25pm June 23, 2015

by Stephen Thompson

The Irish singer recorded her debut at 18, so it makes sense that it would chronicle youthful uncertainty. Throughout the album, her songs command attention by burrowing deep under the skin.

Music & Culture

Review: 'Covered,' Robert Glasper

8:56pm June 23, 2015

by Tom Moon

NPR's Tom Moon reviews the new album from pianist Robert Glasper, Covered.

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In The Battle Between Taylor Swift And Apple, Swift Didn't Fight Alone

1:51pm June 23, 2015

by Sam Sanders

Swift made headlines when her Tumblr post seemed to force Apple to pay musicians for music streamed during a three-month free trial period. But other music industry players get credit as well.

Music & Culture

Taylor Swift Wins Battle With Apple Over Free Music Streaming

6:31am June 23, 2015

by Aarti Shahani

Pop star Taylor Swift picked a fight with Apple over the weekend, saying that artists should get paid in the free trial version of Apple's new music streaming service. She won the battle, but the streaming wars continue.

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Music & Culture

Listen Back To A 1988 Conversation With Composer Gunther Schuller

2:05pm June 22, 2015

The composer, conductor, teacher and music historian who coined the term Third Stream for his synthesis of jazz and classical music, died Sunday in Boston from complications of leukemia. He was 89.

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After his shocking ballet, The Rite of Spring, Igor Stravinsky branched out in surprising directions.

Music & Culture

Igor Stravinsky's 'Rite Of Spring' Counterrevolution

11:31am June 22, 2015

by NPR Staff

Not long after his shocking ballet, the composer branched out into a broad range of styles, ushering in new musical trends far from the violent tone of his iconic Rite of Spring.

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Erik Jensen portrays rock critic Lester Bangs in the new one-man play How to Be a Rock Critic.

'Lester, You Changed Our Lives': Channeling Bangs In 'How To Be a Rock Critic'

6:42pm June 20, 2015

by NPR Staff

Husband-wife team Erik Jensen and Jessica Blank talk about their play based on the life and writings of legendary rock scribe Lester Bangs.

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