Music

Music & Culture

Belated New Music From Drummer Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers Is A Gem

1:51pm July 29, 2020

by Kevin Whitehead

Blakey led his band for almost 40 years, making many classic records with top musicians. Just Coolin', a newly unearthed 1959 recorded studio session, showcases his stylistic precision.

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Hijas del Sol (formerly Sibeba) is featured on this week's The Thistle & Shamrock.

Music & Culture

The Thistle & Shamrock: Salm And Soul

1:30pm July 29, 2020

In this episode, African American gospel and Hebridean psalm singing are explored and celebrated.

A portrait of Peter Green, guitarist and co-founder of rock band Fleetwood Mac, c. 1968.

Remembering Fleetwood Mac Founder Peter Green, The Soulful Voice Of British Blues

11:38am July 29, 2020

by Tom Cole

The guitarist and singer, whose distinctive guitar and soulful voice propelled the band's early success, died over the weekend at the age of 73.

Eddie Stubbs has been the voice of the Grand Ole Opry for 25 years, but July 29 will be his final broadcast.

Music & Culture

Grand Ole Opry Announcer Eddie Stubbs To Retire

10:30am July 29, 2020

by Phil Harrell

After a 25-year career as the announcer of the Grand Ole Opry, Eddie Stubbs is leaving after Wednesday night's show. He says he has seen one amazing performance after another.

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Families are still seeking the musical instruments and other items stolen by the Nazis.

Where Are The Thousands Of Nazi-Looted Musical Instruments?

6:56am July 29, 2020

by Eleanor Beardsley

Researchers are still digging into the question and sharing their findings decades after the Nazis sacked the homes of Jews during World War II.

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Lyric Jones plays a Tiny Desk (home) concert.

Music & Culture

Lyric Jones: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

6:36am July 29, 2020

by Abby O'Neill

The Boston-born, Los Angeles-based rapper does it all in this performance for our Tiny Desk quarantine series.

Maria Sherman's new book gives critical consideration to a too-often maligned phenomenon within pop music: the boy band.

A New Book Traces The History Of Boy Bands, The Pop Phenomenon 'Larger Than Life'

7:59pm July 28, 2020

Author and music critic Maria Sherman talks about her new book, Larger Than Life: A History of Boy Bands from NKOTB to BTS and forgoing rock elitism to give into the joy of boy band pop songs.

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Authorities in New York are investigating after video emerged showing an sizable audience dancing close together at charity concert on Saturday in Southampton, N.Y..

Video Of Audience At Chainsmokers Concert Prompts New York To Investigate

5:43pm July 28, 2020

by Jason Slotkin

The Safe & Sound fundraiser, held Saturday in Southampton, drew rebukes after video emerged showing audience members dancing close together. Gov. Andrew Cuomo tweeted, "I am appalled."

Taylor Swift's eighth album, Folklore, was surprise-released Friday. The record features production by The National's Aaron Dessner and a new set of songwriting tools.

Music & Culture

Let's Talk About Taylor Swift's 'Folklore'

4:26pm July 28, 2020

Three critics dive into a new album full of surprises — released on a day's notice, co-produced by The National's Aaron Dessner — and ask how it fits into an arguably unprecedented career.

Music & Culture

Kentucky Artist S.G. Goodman Talks Her Debut Album, 'Old Time Feeling'

12:40pm July 28, 2020

The Kentucky singer-songwriter's debut album is a rocking country album called Old Time Feeling, and she talks about connecting with My Morning Jacket's Jim James to help co-produce the record.