Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'eclectic'

An Epic Tale Of Opium And Empire

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:01:00 EST

In Sea of Poppies, a British trading ship carrying an eclectic group of passengers sets sail on the eve of the First Opium War. The novel, the sixth from Amitav Ghosh, was shortlisted for the 2008 Booker Prize.

Whistle-Rock, Pink Floyd Jazz, West African 'Funk' And More

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:33:00 EST

We start the new year with a new mix, featuring an exclusive preview of Andrew Bird's latest album, Noble Beast. The classically trained violinist and singer performs a quirky mix of whistled melodies, Gypsy ballads, folk and art-rock. We've got the song "Oh No" here, but you can also hear the entire album as part of our "first listen" series. Also on the show: classic folk-rock singer Benjy Ferree, the Afro-funk rhythms of Chopteeth, an eclectic mixtape from Malawi-born singer Esau Mwamwaya, the haunting guitars of Begushkin, and the jazz trio Bad Plus covers the music of Pink Floyd.

Pink Martini: An Eclectic Splash Of Strings

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:12:00 EST

Pink Martini brought its eclectic stylings to the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles this New Year's Eve. With a splash of orchestral strings, smooth lyrics and a swig of a cha-cha, Pink Martini had the crowd raising its glasses for more.

Etran Finatawa: Niger's Nomadic Blues

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:43:00 EST

Etran Finatawa is a remarkable musical collaboration between members of two nomadic African cultures in Niger. With three songs exclusive to the Web, Etran Finatawa performs their eclectic sound that features a variety of modern and traditional instrumentation, strong polyphonic chorals and high tenor solos.

Joker's Daughter: 'Worm's Head'

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:02:00 EST

Team Love Records describes Joker's Daughter as "folk pop," but the truth is that the collaboration between vocalist and songwriter Helena Costas and famed producer Danger Mouse is hardly typical of that genre. A full-length debut album won't be unveiled until February 2009, but a single, "Worm's Head," has been released as part of a three song EP and offers a glimpse into the eclectic nature of the project.

The Postmarks: 'One Note Samba'

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:40:00 EST

By-the Numbers, the latest from Miami trio The Postmarks, is a collection of 12 cover songs originally by artists as diverse as David Bowie, Bob Marley and The Ventures. Despite the eclectic mix of genres in the originals, The Postmarks have transformed them all into innocent and lovely pop gems.

Moran On Monk: Finding Rhythm And Space

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:31:00 EDT

Jazz pianist Jason Moran has been praised for his eclectic and distinctive sound. But sometimes, Moran says, he's in danger of becoming inhabited by the brilliant jazz innovator of another time, Thelonious Monk. Here, Moran talks about discovering one of his biggest musical influences.

Homework: Odd Musical Instruments

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:01:00 EDT

Last week, host Andrea Seabrook asked listeners to send in home recordings and photographs of their oddest musical instrument. The responses were eclectic, and some were indeed strange. Here is a smattering of some of the more interesting instrument descriptions from listeners.

Revisiting Bernstein's Immodest 'Mass'

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 05:07:00 EDT

Leonard Bernstein wrote his Mass to memorialize John F. Kennedy. But conductor Marin Alsop says that the dizzyingly eclectic work reveals more about its composer than anyone else.

Azeda Booth: 'Big Fists'

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:04:00 EDT

The sounds of Azeda Booth are full and lush, exploratory and eclectic, and perfect for listening on headphones. In Flesh Tones, the Canadian band's first full-length album, is a beautiful foray into dreamy, hypnotic electro-rock, full of vast atmospheric soundscapes and introverted laptop music.

Trappers Cabin: 'Cosmically'

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:38:00 EDT

Trappers Cabin, the musical project of Georgia's Joel Nettesheim, makes interestingly odd and unclassifiable music. On Trappers Cabin's latest record, Trappers Mind, Nettesheim blends art-rock, freak-folk, psychedelia and space rock, and throws in plenty of surprises. From song to song, the sound twists and turns, and the result is an eclectic mix of music tied together by its collective goofiness.

Trouble Books: 'Shaky Science'

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:21:00 EDT

It's easy to get lost in the eclectic soundscapes of Ohio-based band Trouble Books' fourth self-released album, The United Colors of Trouble Books. The album plays out like a wandering trip through a 13 year-old's subconscious, set to beautifully unique experimental music. The gorgeous mix of meandering instrumental arrangements, expansive ambience, and wonderfully earnest vocals creates a sort of spacey chamber pop that seems to float wherever the wind may take it.

Computer Vs. Banjo: 'Magazine Queen'

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:20:00 EDT

The name of the Nashville band Computer Vs. Banjo says it all: Johnny Mann and Beau Stapleton blend folky banjos and acoustic guitars with synth-heavy electronica and experimental beats. The computer tends to win the battle on the group's self-titled debut, but countless computerized samples of more traditional instruments give the record an eclectic, genre-bending sound.

Mugison: 'George Harrison'

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:21:00 EDT

Iceland's Mugison is the brainchild of one Ã�rn ElÃas GuÃ°mundsson. The mad genius concocts music that is as engaging as it is odd and eclectic, running the gamut from electronic trip-hop to guitar heavy arena rock to earnest acoustic singer-songwriter work.

A New Label for the New Bloods of New Music

Thu, 29 May 2008 16:00:00 EDT

With classical music sales struggling, it's harder than ever for progressive young composers and performers to get noticed. But the independent New Amsterdam Records is documenting the eclectic musical community around its classically-trained, twenty-something founders.

Asha Bhosle Delights American Fans with Concerts

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 17:13:00 EDT

Legendary Bollywood singer Asha Bhosle is wrapping up a rare U.S. concert tour next weekend in Phoenix and Los Angeles. Now 74, Bhosle has recorded more than 13,000 songs in almost 1,000 movies. Her American shows have featured an eclectic mix of songs. Bhosle is preparing to release a new album.

Remembering Journalist Ray Farkas

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:00:00 EST

Ray Farkas, a pioneering radio and TV producer, died over the weekend after a long battle with Parkinson's disease and colon cancer. He had an eclectic and influential career, first for NBC's Huntley Brinkley Report and later making documentaries. Alex Chadwick remembers his friend.

Santiago: Eatery Serves Hearty Food, Eclectic Crowd

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:42:00 EST

Comfort food meets kitsch, and bow-tie sporting waiters serve up warmth, charm and hearty dishes, at Liguria in Santiago, Chile. Here, artists and intellectuals can settle their differences over a bottle of wine from an expansive cellar.

Dawn Dineen: 'Tomboys (You're Oh So Fine)'

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:40:00 EDT

Singer-songwriter Dawn Dineen takes a DIY approach to writing and recording her own style of bedroom folk-pop. She describes her music as, "an eclectic little sister of folk-rock with indie-pop cousins running around the house".

Catching The Duhks on a Good Day

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:11:00 EDT

The Duhks, a band of five high-energy, heavily tattooed twenty-somethings, has spent the last four years winning over fans across North America and around the world. Hear the eclectic folk group in an interview and performance from Folk Alley.

Otis Taylor: 'Trance Blues' in Concert

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:50:00 EDT

Otis Taylor plays what he calls "trance blues" -- a blues sound drenched in Appalachian country music and moody, psychedelic rock. He discovered blues and folk music after hearing the work of Mississippi John Hurt. Hear the eclectic musician perform at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Dark and Delicate, Hoop Finds 'Havoc in Heaven'

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 10:49:00 EDT

In "Havoc in Heaven," Jesca Hoop crafts an eclectic concoction of troubadour folk, summery California pop and Broadway balladry. At times, the music can be introspectively nuanced, at others powerful and cinematic, with bowed cellos and tympanis creating an ominous rumble.

Eclectic Keyboardist Joe Zawinul Dies at 75

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:56:00 EDT

Over a 60-year career, keyboardist Joe Zawinul embraced many types of jazz, but came to define the style known as jazz-fusion with his influential band Weather Report, and their 1977 hit "Birdland."

Paul Poiret Bucked, Pioneered Fashion Trends

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 16:08:00 EDT

Paul Poiret, the self-described "King of Fashion," is largely credited for freeing women from corsets and introducing them to pantaloons. A major retrospective of the French designer's work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art celebrates his eclectic designs.

Judith Owen: Happy and at Home

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 17:25:00 EDT

Judith Owen's new album, Happy This Way, sets a reflective tone and lets listeners in on the eclectic influences that have powered her musical career.