Music

Music & Culture

Christmas Albums By Rodney Crowell And The Monkees Capture The Spirit Of The Season

2:34pm December 12, 2018

by Ken Tucker

For both Crowell and the Monkees, Christmas is a time to draw up a gratitude list and put the year in perspective. The results aren't always jolly, but they're certainly sincere and passionate.

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H.E.R. performs a Tiny Desk Concert on Nov. 8, 2018.

Music & Culture

H.E.R.: Tiny Desk Concert

1:38pm December 12, 2018

by Bobby Carter

The singer stuns in her second appearance at the Tiny Desk, showcasing not only her vocal mastery, but her skills as a captivating multi-instrumentalist.

SoCal vocalist Nancy Sanchez rings in the holidays with a new track this week.

Music & Culture

Looking Back, Looking Ahead: Our Favorite Latin Songs This Week

11:51am December 12, 2018

This week, our playlist features nostalgic hits by Nancy Sanchez and Bad Bunny alongside exploratory tracks by Natti Natasha and Sol Pereyra.

Clockwise from upper left: Son Lux, Camp Cope, The Low Anthem, Mabel

Music & Culture

Glaring Omissions: The Music We Missed In 2018

6:31am December 12, 2018

We all had to kill some darlings to finalize NPR Music's list of the Top 50 Albums and Top 100 Songs. Here are the ones that really should have made the cut.

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The Cleveland Orchestra, with its music director Franz Welser-Möst, at Severance Hall, the orchestra's home since 1931.

Music & Culture

Cleveland Orchestra At 100: The Heartland Band With The World Class Sound

6:27pm December 11, 2018

by Tom Huizenga

Who knew that a little orchestra in America's Midwest, born in 1918, could grow up to be one of the world's best? Through a century of trials and triumphs, the Cleveland Orchestra still shines.

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Fantastic Negrito performing live at WXPN's Free At Noon Concert. Recorded live for this session.

Music & Culture

Fantastic Negrito On World Cafe

4:32pm December 11, 2018

Fantastic Negrito is a man that wants to be seen and wants to be heard. Enjoy a gripping story and thrilling performance in this session.

(L-R) Jane Bunnett, Danae Olano, James Francies, Booker T. Jones and Jason Moran at the Kennedy Center.

Music & Culture

A Jazz Piano Christmas 2018

4:28pm December 11, 2018

by Felix Contreras

The holidays aren't complete around NPR without our annual Jazz Piano Christmas concert. This year's event featured pianists Booker T. Jones, Jason Moran, Dánae Olano and James Francies.

Singer-songwriter JD McPherson (second from left) plays with Raynier Jacildo, Jimmy Sutton, Jason Smay and Doug Corcoran on the album Socks.

Music & Culture

A Roots And Rockabilly Holiday Concert With JD McPherson And His Band

1:53pm December 11, 2018

by Terry Gross

McPherson never thought he'd make a Christmas album. Then, he says, "I got a bug in my ear." He and his band perform live in studio from Socks, and McPherson talks about growing up on a cattle farm.

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Music & Culture

Meat Puppets Come Galloping Out Of The Stable With 'Warranty'

11:47am December 11, 2018

by Bruce Warren

The Arizona rock and roll band returns to its core while exploring new territories and sounds.

American Football's third self-titled album comes out March 22.

Music & Culture

American Football Announces LP3 With Haunting 'Silhouettes'

11:00am December 11, 2018

by Lars Gotrich

Paramore's Hayley Williams, Land of Talk's Elizabeth Powell and Slowdive's Rachel Goswell all appear on the emo band's third self-titled album, out March 22.