Music

Music & Culture

'The Biggest Jazz Riff Ever Written:' Jeremy Denk's 'Goldberg Variations'

11:01am November 18, 2013

by NPR Staff

The celebrated pianist, and newly minted MacArthur fellow, describes the 'naughty, wicked and bittersweet' sides of Bach's iconic keyboard work. Denk's new recording includes a DVD with him discussing various aspects of the music.

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Brandy Clark's new album is titled 12 Stories.

Music & Culture

Brandy Clark Tells The 'Stories' That Are Tough To Hear

9:12am November 18, 2013

by Ken Tucker

Ken Tucker calls the country singer-songwriter's new 12 Stories a "modestly amazing album." Every song is striking, textured and finely detailed.

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Ted Nash's new album, Chakra, is out now.

Music & Culture

'Something That Is Very Real For Me': Ted Nash Completes His 'Chakra'

5:29pm November 16, 2013

by NPR Staff

The jazz multi-instrumentalist and composer embarked on a spiritual journey that spanned years before he was able to complete his new record. In a discussion with NPR's Arun Rath, Nash talks about starting from square one in educating himself about Hindu philosophy.

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Music & Culture

The Soulful, Swinging Sounds Of Stax: A Look Back

11:22am November 16, 2013

by NPR Staff

Robert Gordon's new book explores the tragedy and triumphs of one of the most unlikely soul labels, an integrated business that produced hits such as Sam and Dave's "Hold On, I'm Coming" and Otis Redding's "Try a Little Tenderness."

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Kelly Clarkson's new holiday album is titled Wrapped in Red.

Music & Culture

Two Sides Of Holiday Cheer From Kelly Clarkson, Nick Lowe

2:57pm November 15, 2013

by Ken Tucker

Whether glossy and heartfelt (Clarkson's Wrapped in Red) or earnest and playful (Lowe's Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection for All the Family), these albums can help conjure a holiday mood in the month before Christmas.

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Omar Souleyman's new album, Wenu Wenu, is out now.

Music & Culture

Omar Souleyman: America's Favorite Syrian Wedding Singer

6:53am November 14, 2013

by NPR Staff

Souleyman discusses the importance of musical experimentation in an unlikely setting. In conversation with NPR's Renee Montagne, the Syrian electronic musician also expresses his desire to perform in his homeland again.

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Music & Culture

Heavy Rotation: Download 10 Songs Public Radio Can't Stop Playing

5:11am November 13, 2013

Download two handfuls of our favorite new songs, including music by British producer Tourist., German pop act Claire, New York City dance duo Holy Ghost!, rapper Jean Grae, punk-pop trio Upset, fiddle prodigy Sarah Jarosz and more.

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What Today's Online Sharing Companies Can Learn From Napster

9:02pm November 11, 2013

by Laura Sydell

Perhaps no company showed how the Internet could turn sharing into a global phenomenon more than Napster. The music-sharing site upended the record industry. But the industry ultimately survived and free-music Napster did not. What are new businesses doing to avoid the same fate?

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Lady Gaga's new album, ARTPOP, is out now.

Music & Culture

Pop's Resident Provocateur Fizzles On 'ARTPOP'

7:54pm November 11, 2013

by Tom Moon

Lady Gaga has been building anticipation for her third studio album in ways that only she can manage. But perhaps the forte of ARTPOP lies in its marketing — not the actual music.

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Booker Ervin on the cover of The Book Cooks, his debut album.

Music & Culture

No Need To Cook The Books: Booker Ervin's Debut LP Reissued

1:42pm November 11, 2013

by Kevin Whitehead

Down-home and majestic, the tenor saxophonist's sound was like a cane stalk shooting up out of rich earth. His 1960 album The Book Cooks features fellow sax-man Zoot Sims in a friendly square-off.

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