Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'acoustic'

Francois Virot: 'Say Fiesta'

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:56:00 EST

Recorded at his home in Lyon, France with little more than an acoustic guitar and hand claps to accompany his vocals, Francois Virot's full-length debut, Yes or No, is indeed spare. But don't expect a typical singer-songwriter CD. Yes or No is lyrically rich, brimming with personality and charm, and produced with surprising layers of vocals and guitars that create a warm and vibrant sonic landscape.

Eric Hutchinson: Self-Made Acoustic Soul

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:15:00 EST

When his contract to a major record label went down with the ship, acoustic soul singer Eric Hutchinson hit the road to generate his own exposure, and in the end, self-released his debut as well. Hutchinson plays his material in a session from WXPN.

IRCAM: The Quiet House Of Sound

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:44:00 EST

A mecca for classical composers looking for ways to bridge music and technology, IRCAM in Paris has been an incubator for some of the most compelling developments in contemporary classical music and acoustics of the past three decades.

The Raconteurs: Acoustic 'Consolers'

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:01:00 EST

Jack White's main project outside The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, performs an all-acoustic set of material from Consolers of the Lonely. Members Brendon Benson and Patrick Keeler also explain why their Australian Web site calls the band The Saboteurs in a session from WXPN.

John Mellencamp: Heartland Rocker Goes Folk

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:16:00 EST

On Life, Death, Love and Freedom, the iconic heartland rocker John Mellencamp distances himself from his musical brand and makes a turn toward rumbling folk and blues. With the help of producer T-Bone Burnett, they created a whole new textured, acoustic sound.

Drew Emmitt On Mountain Stage

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:49:00 EST

Combining wide-ranging influences like reggae and roots music into an electric/acoustic hybrid, the Drew Emmitt Band recently performed on Mountain Stage in an appearance recorded at the Morgantown, W.Va., campus of WVU. The band played music from Emmitt's latest album, this year's Long Road.

The Pretenders: The Lillywhite Session

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:07:00 EST

In the early '80s, The Pretenders were one of the biggest new wave bands around. The band has existed in various formations since then — all fronted by Chrissie Hynde — and now display their new sound in an acoustic Lillywhite Session.

Cian Nugent: 'Knots'

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:14:00 EST

Cian Nugent is a 19-year-old guitarist from Dublin, Ireland who self-released his debut EP in 2007 and has followed it up this year with the live EP, Childhood, Christian Lies and Slaughter. Inspired by acoustic guitar legends such as John Fahey, Nugent plays instrumental folk pieces heavy with nostalgia for early 20th-century American music.

Neil Halstead: Warm, Inviting And Pastoral

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:28:00 EDT

Halstead has gone from making warm, fuzzy, distorted noise in Slowdive to dusty Americana in Mojave 3. Now on his own, he plays music with a stunning yet carefree style. Here, he shares his acoustic sound in a session from KEXP.

Peter Broderick: 'And It's Alright'

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:45:00 EDT

Take a look at musician and songwriter Peter Broderick's resume and you'll likely have a hard time believing that he's only 21 years old. Not only does Broderick play violin for the experimental Danish rock group Efterklang, but he recently released Home, a lovely solo album with delicate harmonies and acoustic guitar.

A Quintet Of Great Modern Piano Trios

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:25:00 EDT

In the piano trio, only three instruments are involved, so the thoughts and actions of musicians must be absolutely in sync with one another. Pianists like Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett have led legendary trios, but here are five piano-trio leaders who keep the acoustic jazz tradition alive in fresh ways.

Eric Church On Mountain Stage

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:51:00 EDT

North Carolina-born singer-songwriter Eric Church has quickly become one of the most popular young stars in modern country music. Church recently treated a Mountain Stage audience in Bristol, Tenn./Va., to a stripped-down acoustic performance of what is normally a loud, electric stage show.

Lambchop's Kurt Wagner: Tiny Desk Concert

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:21:00 EDT

Kurt Wagner writes and sings beautiful songs with Lambchop, a hefty Nashville ensemble with a calm, restrained sound. When Kurt Wagner came by our office to play a Tiny Desk Concert, he came alone, with just an acoustic guitar, a stack of lyrics and his humble, good-natured sense of humor.

Peter Bradley Adams On Mountain Stage

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:21:00 EDT

Singer-songwriter Peter Bradley Adams was once half of the duo Eastmountainsouth, which became known for its hushed harmonies and spacious acoustic songs. Now a solo artist, Adams stopped by Mountain Stage to perform selections from his latest album, Leavetaking.

Joseph Arthur: Acoustic 'Temporary People'

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:27:00 EDT

Joseph Arthur is a versatile and prolific rocker. In addition to playing music, his humanitarian efforts have helped bring art, music and more to children in Northern Uganda refugee camps. For all his sterling credentials, Arthur remains easygoing and casual in this session on WFUV.

A3: From 'The Sopranos' To Joy Division

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:49:00 EDT

The band formerly known as Alabama 3 strips down its roots-meets-dance sound with just two acoustic guitars and voices. The trio plays and talks about its Sopranos success song and plays a country death ballad version of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart."

The Village Vanguard: A Hallowed Basement

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:38:00 EDT

The small triangular room with low ceilings and remarkable acoustics has staged plenty of essential jazz recordings. But it's only a small fraction of what has transpired at the world's oldest continuously operated jazz club.

Leon Redbone On Mountain Stage

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:54:00 EDT

A mysterious yet charming performer, Redbone has made his name interpreting Tin Pan Alley, early blues and swing numbers while donning sunglasses and a Panama hat. Acoustic slide bluesman William Lee Ellis follows him on stage.

Jeff Hanson: 'Nothing Would Matter At All'

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:41:00 EDT

Singer-songwriter Jeff Hanson has one of the most incredible and unique voices you will ever hear. That is, from a guy. Upon hearing Hanson's third full-length record, Madam Owl, the first thing anyone will notice is the singer's impossibly high voice that sounds more like that of a highly skilled female vocalist (or maybe a eunuch) than a 30 year old man. But if you listen closer, there is far more to Hanson's music than his beautiful singing. The warm strings and acoustic guitars that back his sparkling falsetto are equally as dramatic, and the sound he has created is huge and anthemic in spite of his modest solo artist ouevre.

John Paul White On Mountain Stage

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:07:00 EDT

The Muscle Shoals, Ala., native discovered his city's musical heritage while playing in cover bands night after night. That was before he starting writing his own music, driven by his storytelling and work on the acoustic guitar. Hear a live performance.

Ray Wylie Hubbard On Mountain Stage

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:54:00 EDT

Blending humor with philosophical, introspective lyrics, Hubbard's album Snake Farm packs a gut-busting punch with its deep, swampy electric grooves. The songs spin stories of humility, persistence and religious curiosity. Hear the country-blues rocker play solo and acoustic while overlooking West Virginia's New River Gorge.

King Wilkie On Mountain Stage

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:02:00 EDT

Since forming in 2003, the Virginia band has shifted its stylistic focus from traditional bluegrass to an all-encompassing, broad style of original acoustic music. Hear King Wilkie perform overlooking West Virginia's New River Gorge.

She & Him At The Newport Folk Festival

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 17:40:00 EDT

Technical difficulties didn't deter M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel from plugging on ahead, even if that meant plugging in an electric guitar instead of an acoustic guitar. And then Newport's infamous rain came downÂ� hard. But that didn't stop them either with special guest appearances from Jim James and Becky Stark.

Jim James At The Newport Folk Festival

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 17:36:00 EDT

The solo sets of Jim James have become somewhat of a hushed spectacle, the kind that leaves a person spellbound for days afterward. Performing with just an acoustic guitar and a little help from M. Ward, the bearded singer practically hypnotized his audience with his stunning voice.

The Humble Roots Of Old-School Bachata

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:29:00 EDT

Before it took over Latin dance halls worldwide, bachata arose from Dominican shantytowns as a kind of lower-class party music. Now, a recent CD and a series of concerts are bringing the genre's early acoustic tradition back into the spotlight.