Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'music'

At 72, Veteran Musician Scores in a New Scene

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:07:00 EDT

Best known for his sly, sexy party anthems, 72-year-old Andre Williams toiled in the music industry trenches for decades, battling homelessness and addiction along the way. Now he's been rediscovered by young white rockers.

DNC Band Steals The Show

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EDT

The hard-hitting political speeches are not the only thing generating a buzz year's Democratic National Convention (DNC), the political elite are sharing the spotlight with another big hit: the music. Tell Me More takes a look at Ray Chew and the Crew. The popular DNC house band has convention goers grooving to everything from Lenny Kravitz to Kool and the Gang.

Brilliant in Boston: Teens Play Modern Classics

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:20:00 EDT

From Boston's New England Conservatory, eight musicians – none older than 13 – showcase their remarkable accomplishments. A 10-year-old violinist plays Bartok, a 13-year-old pianist tackles a diabolical piece by Prokofiev and a multi-talented 11-year-old cellist performs music by Kabalevsky. Also, a 13-year-old composer debuts a new work. This program originally aired on April 2, 2008.

In Central Park, 'Hair' Line Brings A City Closer

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:17:00 EDT

Free summer staging of the '60s musical has New Yorkers camping out overnight — but a sense of shared adventure (and bike messengers bearing delivery breakfasts) help pass the time.

Brad Laner: "Out Cold"

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:41:00 EDT

On his debut solo release, Neighbor Singing, Brad Laner mixes lush harmonies with gentle melodies and a subtle but densely layered pastiche of electronics. Based in Granada Hills, Calif., Laner's music could be called electro-psychedelic-folk. But he likes to keep listeners guessing as each track morphs seamlessly into new forms, taking unexpected sonic directions that don't fit neatly into any standard category. Laner's is a blissful world rooted as much in '60s psychedelia as in 21st century pop.

Soulive With Fred Wesley, Live At Newport

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:52:00 EDT

The popular funk band teams up with James Brown's arranger and trombonist in a collaboration between two different generations of groove musicians. Hear them perform a set of original jams and classic R&B numbers, live at the Newport Jazz Festival

Andrew Fleming and Pam Brady: Making 'Hamlet 2'

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:07:00 EDT

The two collaborated on the new Steve Coogan comedy, about a failed actor and overzealous drama teacher who mounts a musical sequel to Shakespeare's most famous tragedy.

Kenny Barron: Live At The Village Vanguard

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:30:00 EDT

A pianist who bridges multiple generations of jazz musicians, Barron has long been known as one of New York's most talented and tasteful keyboard players. He brings a quartet of young instrumentalists to the Greenwich Village outpost.

The Music of PCP, Ra Ra Riot, And More

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 21:59:00 EDT

The New York rock group Ra Ra Riot returns from an emotional roller coaster with a fantastic new CD. Hear a cut from The Rhumb Line. Singer Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley mixes it up on her latest solo CD, Acid Tongue. Argentinian singer Juana Molina has a mesmerizing new album out in October. We've got a sneak preview. Also on the show: Brooklyn duo High Places, the "Dreamend" songs of Ryan Graveface, "Failure" from singer Laura Marling, and PCP, also known as the Portland Cello Project.

Johnny Flynn: Stirring Up 'A Larum'

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:58:00 EDT

A 25-year-old singer-songwriter, Flynn makes music that seems to draw equally from William Shakespeare and Bob Dylan: He has the ear of a poet and the mind of a storyteller. Flynn has just made his American debut with A Larum.

A Vice President's Hit Song

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 10:35:00 EDT

How many vice presidents are also talented composers? Well, President Calvin Coolidge's vice president, Charles Dawes, was. He composed the music to a song that's been performed by the likes of Bob Dylan and Elton John.

Cuban Symphony Changes Tune

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EDT

The National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba has made the transition from a virtually all-white group to one featuring a number of black musicians.

Tito Puente's Self-Titled Masterwork Examined

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The Latin percussionist's classic 1972 album captures one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century at his peak. Bobby Sanabria, himself an award-winning bandleader, discusses the music and career of "El Rey del Timbal," Tito Puente.

1,000 Essential Recordings You Must Hear

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:18:00 EDT

Covering music from Marian Anderson to ZZ Top, 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die: A Listener's Life List covers all genres in its more than 900 pages. It's driven by the notion that "the more you love music, the more music you love." Author Tom Moon submits his picks for the best summer recordings.

Norah Jones On Piano Jazz

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:31:00 EDT

Norah Jones is one of the most popular musicians in the world today. Her soulful vocals were on display when she joined Marian McPartland at the 2003 Tanglewood Jazz Festival. The sold-out crowd enjoyed duets and standards from the two musicians.

Jukebox The Ghost: Promise Of A 'Good Day'

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:16:00 EDT

Often compared to the likes of Ben Folds, or even a muted incarnation of Queen, Jukebox the Ghost makes music that's buoyant without leaving a saccharine aftertaste. Exhibit A: the flamboyantly orchestrated "Good Day."

An Animated Take On The 'Chicago 10'

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:14:00 EDT

Brett Morgan's film, Chicago 10, uses a combination of archival footage, animation and music to tell the story of eight anti-war protesters who were put on trial following the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

'Hamlet 2': Something Deliriously Rotten

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:03:00 EDT

Steve Coogan stars as an Arizona drama teacher inspired to save his failing theater program — with a musicalized sequel to the best-known drama in the English language. The results? Tragically funny.

Yael Naim's New Soul

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:10:00 EDT

Born in Paris and raised in Israel, multilingual singer Yael Main crafts a mysterious and delicate sound that features elements of folk and jazz. She visits the World Cafe with host David Dye to share music from her self-titled sophomore album.

Last Word: Musician Hears His Work In Beijing

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:11:37 EDT

The source of the American national anthem being played at the Beijing Olympics during medal ceremonies is in question. Peter Breiner wasn't watching the Games until his friends starting calling to say, "That sounds like your arrangement." It does. Especially the "Rockets Red Glare" section — an unusually soft string rendition that brought some controversy when it was used in Athens in 2004.He got paid for that rendition in 2004. Now Mr. Breiner says he's "100-percent positive" that the Chinese borrowed it from his work. In an email to The Washington Post, the Chinese insist they came up with the arrangement themselves.

Bon Iver: Songs From A 'Good Winter'

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:39:00 EDT

Two years ago, things weren't going well for Bon Iver's Justin Vernon. So he holed up in a cabin in the snowy Wisconsin northwoods, only to emerge with an album celebrated across the indie music community. Here, Vernon shares his story and performs in the studio.

Martha Scanlan On Mountain Stage

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:03:00 EDT

The songwriter was a member of the Reeltime Travelers, featured on the soundtrack to the movie Cold Mountain, before setting out to create her own brand of old-time Appalachian music. Here, she performs live on stage.

Billy Childs And John Blake At Mt. Hood

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:48:00 EDT

In the late 1990s, JazzSet made two visits to the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival in Gresham, Ore. Music started before noon, and as the sun burned the haze away, the snow-capped peak shimmered on the skyline, helping to inspire memorable performances by the Billy Childs Trio and the John Blake Quintet.

Mates Of State's Family Band Solution

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:24:00 EDT

Mates of State's music has only gotten richer and more rewarding since its members started a family: Their superb new album, Re-Arrange Us, finds it celebrating the tricky balancing act of marriage, parenthood and rock 'n' roll in a way that's undeniably uplifting and cheerful. Hear songs from that album in a session with World Cafe host David Dye.

Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich And Fussible

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:10:00 EDT

The Grammy-nominated Nortec Collective brings together Mexican, electronica and dance music. Hear songs from the group's new album, Tijuana Sound Machine, when Bostich and Fussible come by WXPN's World Cafe with host David Dye.