Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'singer'

Domingo And Bocelli: Keeping Opera Relevant

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:23:00 EST

Placido Domingo is the most durable, thoughtful opera singer in recent history. Andrea Bocelli has sold more than 60 million albums. The two icons discuss their first performance together and describe what makes opera relevant today.

Jacob & Lily On Mountain Stage

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:31:00 EST

Singer-songwriter Karla Adolphe and percussionist Caleb Friesen make up the Manitoba-based duo Jacob & Lily. On their recent Mountain Stage appearance, the two show off Adolphe's powerful, passionate voice and steady guitar strumming, along with Friesen's meticulous and driving rhythmic work.

Cory Chisel: Life In A Northern Town

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:31:00 EST

Appleton, Wis., provides a lot of material for Cory Chisel: It's the childhood home of Harry Houdini, and it's surrounded by small towns, bigger lakes, paper mills and vast stretches of rural landscape. The singer-songwriter plays music inspired by the seemingly normal town, and talks about a music scene that takes a lot of pride in itself.

Sara Lov: 'New York'

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:54:00 EST

The Los Angeles-based dream-pop duo Devics has enchanted fans for years with its beautifully dark and moody music, but there's hardly been a peep from the band since its 2007 album, Push the Heart. Thankfully, singer Sara Lov has just released a solo EP, The Young Eyes, which features gorgeous ballads, setting her flawless voice over melancholic piano and strings.

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.

Jonatha Brooke: Rediscovering Woody Guthrie

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 05:10:00 EST

Guthrie has had a profound influence on American music, and he was such a prolific writer that some of his lyrics have yet to be set to music. Having been given access to the Guthrie archives, singer-songwriter Jonatha Brooke recently released The Works, which adapts previously unreleased Guthrie lyrics.

Unbunny: 'The Path'

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:47:00 EST

Seattle-based Unbunny is primarily the work of singer and songwriter Jarid del Deo. His latest album, Sensory Underload, is a compilation of previously unreleased material spanning Unbunny's 12-year career and takes a look at many of del Deo's personalities: from introspective folk musician to pop humorist.

Matthew Ryan On Mountain Stage

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:32:00 EST

Ten years since his last visit, singer Matthew Ryan makes his long-awaited return to Mountain Stage. Accompanied by Molly Thomas on piano and vocals, Ryan performs a humorous, if sometimes bumpy, set that features music from his latest album, Matthew Ryan vs. The Silver State.

Pink Aims For The 'Truth' In New Album

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST

Pop star and singer Pink gets even more real with fans with her latest release, Funhouse. The Doylestown, Pa., native talks about her music, how her personal life plays an important part in her career and why this CD is so important.

Judith Owen On Mountain Stage

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:23:00 EST

Welsh singer-songwriter Judith Owen has a knack for entertaining her audience with self-deprecating humor just before enchanting it with her elegant and emotional songs. In her third Mountain Stage appearance, Owen plays songs from her latest album, Mopping Up Karma.

Obi Best: 'Who Loves You Now'

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:24:00 EST

Up until this summer, Los Angeles-based singer Alex Lilly had been known mostly for her role as backup singer for pop duo The Bird and the Bee. Recently, however, Lilly embarked upon a new project and took the spotlight for herself. With the help of 10 of her friends, she's created the band Obi Best and recorded the keyboard-driven pop debut, Capades.

Harry Belafonte Remembers Miriam Makeba

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST

Singer Miriam Makeba is a woman whose influence extends far beyond the world of music. Fans called her "Mama Africa," the South African apartheid government banned her albums and exiled her, and Black Panther Stokely Carmichael chose her as his wife. Makeba died this week at age 76. For more, Farai Chideya speaks with Harry Belafonte about the passing of the South African singer, and we revisit a News & Notes interview with Makeba herself.

South African Singer Makeba Dies

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:38:00 EST

Miriam Makeba, whose voice gave South Africans hope when the country was gripped by apartheid, has died of a heart attack after collapsing on stage in Italy. She was 76.

Remembering Miriam Makeba, 'Mama Africa'

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:41:00 EST

South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba died Sunday at age 76. In a letter of tribute, Nelson Mandela said, "Her music inspired a powerful sense of hope in all of us." Talk of the Nation remembers her with a 1988 recording of Mosadi Ku Rima.

'Worlds Of Sound' A Tribute To Folkways

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:15:00 EST

Sixty years ago, Moses Asch set out to record "all the sound of the world." He established Folkways Records — "the little label that could" — and in the decades that followed, recorded everything from folk singers, to jazz greats, to sounds of the natural world.

Sonya Kitchell, The Slip On Mountain Stage

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:57:00 EST

Kitchell is a singer-songwriter seasoned beyond her years, having previously joined Herbie Hancock on a worldwide tour. For her appearance in Charleston, W.Va., she brought along the Boston-based indie-rockers in The Slip, who appeared on Mountain Stage in 2006. Together, they promote Kitchell's latest album, This Storm.

Music World Mourns 'Mama Africa'

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:24:00 EST

Legendary South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba died this weekend after collapsing on stage at a concert in Italy. Makeba was 76. She was the first African woman to win a Grammy and was affectionately known around the world as "Mama Africa." Host Michel Martin offers a reflection.

Singer Miriam Makeba Dies At 76

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

The South African singer known as "Mama Africa" has died. Miriam Makeba was 76. She became an international symbol of the anti-apartheid struggle.

Hanggai: Chinese Punk Looks To The Past

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:47:00 EST

Modern Chinese music is most famous for sappy Canto-pop love songs. But on the mainland, young Chinese musicians are innovating and taking risks with ancient music forms such as throat singing. Former punk singer Ilchi is now a force in the Mongolian folk-music revival with his band Hanggai.

Regina Spektor Returns To The Bronx

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:39:00 EST

Ever since the success of her hit "Fidelity," singer-songwriter Regina Spektor has attracted widespread attention for her smart, quirky, emotionally engaging music. In a session from WFUV, Spektor talks about growing up in the Bronx and performs some of her new music.

Absentee: 'Shared'

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:31:00 EST

The most immediately striking thing about London-based pop quintet Absentee is singer Dan Michaelson's deep and gravelly voice. A little bit Leonard Cohen, a little bit Johnny Cash, Michaelson immediately takes hold of listeners on Victory Shorts, the band's sophomore album which navigates the flurry of emotions following failed relationships.

Julie Fowlis On Mountain Stage

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:41:00 EST

Singer and multi-instrumentalist Julie Fowlis has made a huge name for herself overseas singing in Gaelic, a language understood by only 1 percent of the population in her native Scotland. She recently performed her unique music on Mountain Stage, accompanied by Dobro master Jerry Douglas in the final song of her set.

Matthew Sweet's Ringing Guitars Return

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:15:00 EST

Power-pop singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet spent the late '90s and early '00s avoiding the instrument that defined his early sound: the chiming guitar. His latest album, Sunshine Lies, marks his welcome return to the guitar as a primary instrument. Sweet performs new songs and discusses the influence of nature on the CD.

Dion Pays Homage To Guitar-Rock Giants

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:49:00 EST

With his band the Belmonts, singer-songwriter Dion rose to fame as a '60s teen idol, topping charts with hits like "The Wanderer" and "I Wonder Why." The latest album in his long career is Heroes: Giants Of Early Guitar Rock.