Music & Culture

Frank Zappa being interviewed on British television in 1973.

Music & Culture

Zappa On Zappa: 'Eat That Question' Tells A Contrarian's Story In His Own Words

6:32pm June 24, 2016

by Tom Cole

The new documentary, compiled from a deep archive of interviews, focuses on Frank Zappa's serious side — as a composer keen on exploring ugliness and difficulty.

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Ralph Stanley performs at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival in 2012.

Music & Culture

Remembering Bluegrass Singer Ralph Stanley

5:28pm June 24, 2016

by David Dye

The genre-defining singer joined World Cafe in 2002 for a career-spanning conversation.

Bernie Worrell performs at the Black Rock Coalition Presents: All The Woo In The World â An All-Star Celebration benefit concert on April 4 in New York City. The concert was raising money for Worrell's medical costs.

Music & Culture

Bernie Worrell, 'Wizard Of Woo,' Dies At 72

5:12pm June 24, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

The influential keyboardist and composer had been diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer. Worrell was a key member of Parliament-Funkadelic and played with the Talking Heads.

Music & Culture

Neil Young On World Cafe

5:07pm June 24, 2016

Join in a listening session for Young's new live album, Earth, which also features field recordings of natural sounds.

Ralph Stanley, Bluegrass Legend, Dies At 89

4:34pm June 24, 2016

Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley has died at the age of 89. He was perhaps most famous for his rendition of "O Death" on the soundtrack to the film O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Music & Culture

Remembering Bluegrass And Banjo Legend Ralph Stanley

2:59pm June 24, 2016

The Grammy Award-winning bluegrass pioneer died yesterday. He was 89. Stanley spoke to Fresh Air in 2002 about his career and his work on the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack.

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Music & Culture

Benny Golson On Piano Jazz

2:17pm June 24, 2016

A giant of hard bop, the saxophonist and composer performs some of his most enduring standards.

A still from D∆WN's "Not Above That" video.

Music & Culture

Songs We Love: D∆WN, 'Not Above That'

11:06am June 24, 2016

by Lars Gotrich

At this point, Dawn Richard — known these days as D∆WN — is simply beyond pop music. The Machinedrum-produced track celebrates cosmic desire with a video that moves the galaxy.

Music & Culture

Guest Dose: Steven Julien Of FunkinEven

10:50am June 24, 2016

by Piotr Orlov

The don of revered electronic music label Apron Records is about to release his first album under his given name. He brings the future boogie on NPR Music's latest Recommended Dose guest dance mix.

Nathan Bowles, spreading that jam thick.

Music & Culture

Viking's Choice: Nathan Bowles, 'Gadarene Fugue'

10:00am June 24, 2016

by Lars Gotrich

A member of the Black Twig Pickers, Bowles whips a meditative clawhammer banjo melody into a fury.