Remembering Pere Ubu's David Thomas, a frontman who preserved chaos
Thomas' April 23 death at age 71 brings to a close one of the most significant avant-garde experiments ever conducted within the confines of pop music. Rock critic Ken Tucker reflects on his legacy.
Margo Price Sings About The Heartache And Beauty Of Small-Town America
Price is up for the 2019 Grammy Award for best new artist. She spoke to Fresh Air in 2017 about growing up in the small town of Aledo, Ill.: "Now, when I go back, I see the beauty in it."
Line Between Good And Bad Taste Blurs On Oscar Peterson's 'Motions & Emotions'
A 50-year old album by pianist Oscar Peterson and a studio orchestra has been reissued by the German label MPS. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead confesses to having mixed feelings about it.
Could Chinese Telecom Giant Huawei Put U.S. Cyber-Security At Risk?
NY Times reporter David Sanger says the world's leading producer of telecom equipment will be central to the spread of a global 5G network — which could pose a major threat to U.S. national security.
Sharon Van Etten Presents A Richer, Fuller Sound On 'Remind Me Tomorrow'
Critic Ken Tucker says you don't have to know anything about Van Etten to find her new album striking and impressive: It's the sound of a woman redefining herself, on terms that are totally her own.
Remembering Academy Award-Winning Composer Michel Legrand
The jazz pianist, singer and producer, who died Saturday, won Oscar Awards for his compositions in Yentl, Summer of '42 and The Thomas Crown Affair. Originally broadcast in 1996.
Fresh Air Weekend: 'Ear Hustle' Podcasters; Historian Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Earlonne Woods and Nigel Poor tell about life behind bars in Ear Hustle. Kevin Whitehead reviews new interpretations of Monk's complete works. Gates talks about DNA testing and finding his own roots.