Music

Music & Culture

'Love Starvation/Trombone' And 'Transience' Speak To Past Sans Nostalgia

1:54pm May 27, 2019

by Ken Tucker

In their recent releases, Nick Lowe (along with Los Straitjackets) and Wreckless Eric have created new music that connects to old music without maudlin nostalgia or huffy defensiveness.

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Music & Culture

Elton John: The 'Fresh Air' Interview

1:23pm May 27, 2019

by Terry Gross

The film Rocketman is based on John's life story. In 2013, he talked about his elaborate stage outfits, his fear of sex as a young man and how Liberace's example encouraged him to focus on the piano.

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Mavis Staples' latest album, We Get By, is out now.

Music & Culture

In 'We Get By,' Mavis Staples Keeps Singing For 'Change'

4:04pm May 26, 2019

Nearing 80, the solo artist has a new album out. Decades after she brought a gospel score to the civil rights movement with The Staple Singers, she remains hopeful in her enduring mission for change.

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Music & Culture

'Alt.Latino' Summer Suggestions

10:06am May 26, 2019

by Felix Contreras

NPR's Alt.Latino music podcast shares suggestions for summer listening.

Jason Moran and Alicia Hall Moran think deeply about how the past is preserved and kept vital through music and culture.

'Two Wings: The Music Of Black America In Migration' Celebrates Journey Millions Took

9:55am May 25, 2019

by Walter Ray Watson

Singer Alicia Hall Moran and pianist Jason Moran mix original music works with 20th century spoken word to reflect on The Great Migration, when African Americans moved from the South to the North.

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Cover art to Songs from the Novel Greatest Hits, by Kathryn Williams

This 'Greatest Hits' Album Is Real. Its Artist Is Fiction

8:20am May 25, 2019

by Scott Simon

Laura Barnett wrote a novel about an aging singer-songwriter sizing up her life in 16 tracks. Then she approached musician Kathryn Williams, who created the book's original soundtrack.

Music & Culture

Rodrigo y Gabriela Spin The Songs Behind Their Wild Sound

3:29pm May 24, 2019

by Felix Contreras

The Mexican guitar duo talk share songs by Nina Simone, Caifanes and Rage Against the Machine and discuss the role of the guitar in rock.

Music & Culture

The 5 Best Latin Alternative Songs Of 2019 (So Far)

3:06pm May 24, 2019

by Sandra Treviño

We're nearly halfway through 2019 and have already been musically blessed with so many joyous sounds.

The O'Jays inside the World Cafe Performance Studio

Music & Culture

The O'Jays Want The World To Catch Up To The Love Train

12:30pm May 24, 2019

The O'Jays founding members Eddie Levert and Walter Williams explain why "Love Train" is still relevant today.

Music & Culture

ECM At Big Ears: A Boundless Label Meets A Broadminded Festival

12:22pm May 24, 2019

We head to the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville for the 50th anniversary of ECM Records. Hear three riveting performances by Carla Bley, Avishai Cohen and Nik Bärtsch's Ronin.