Aretha Franklin: Just Her And A Piano
A small, sterling selection of the best stripped-down performances the Queen of Soul delivered in her later years.
Music & Culture
St. Vincent Is The 21st Century's Guitar Vanguard
For Annie Clark, the guitar is not an appendage, not an extension of the body. It is its own body with its own voice. She doesn't use it to embellish her songs; she uses it to build worlds.
Meet Ray BLK, Britain's Rising Star
Rita Ekwere, also known as Ray BLK, is the first unsigned artist to win the BBC Sound Of poll. She tells NPR's Lakshmi Singh why it's important for her to highlight social justice issues in her music.
The Sound Made Flesh
Franklin's gospel recordings presented black life itself as a sacred practice. On albums like Amazing Grace, she is less individual genius than willing instrument of the world that created her.
Aretha Franklin's Gospel Music Connection
Aretha Franklin's album Amazing Grace was recorded in 1972 at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in south-central Los Angeles after riots devastated the area.
Aretha's Bridge
Amidst an instantly historic performance in 1971 that led to one of her best-known albums, Aretha Franklin's rendition of a single song carries inside it the weight of pop, soul and gospel history.
Aretha Franklin Knew How To Make Us Laugh, Too
The Queen of Soul had quite the sense of humor.
Musician (And Landscaper) Ryan Culwell On Making Ends Meet
NPR's Jennifer Ludden talks to Ryan Culwell about his latest album. The Last American is about the struggles of ordinary Americans.
Yo-Yo Ma, A Life Led With Bach
If the celebrated cellist could soundtrack his life, the music would be J.S. Bach's six Cello Suites. Yo-Yo Ma explains why they mean the world to him while he played the music at the NPR offices.
Across the Blue Ridge #139 - Galax Fiddlers’ Convention
This week we hear music from the past at the Galax, VA Old Fiddlers' Convention. The event was founded in 1935 by the local Moose Lodge, and is now billed as the world's oldest and largest fi