Music Interviews

Muscadine Bloodline is Charlie Muncaster (left) and Gary Stanton.

Music & Culture

World Cafe Nashville: Muscadine Bloodline

10:20am June 16, 2017

by Jewly Hight

The duo's take on down-home narratives and fist-pumping country anthems is edged in angsty, masculine sensitivity, betraying Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton's emo and mall-punk reference points.

Jason Isbell's new album with the 400 Unit, The Nashville Sound, is named after the unique 1960s production style Chet Atkins helped craft in Nashville's RCA Studio A.

Music & Culture

Jason Isbell Forges His Own 'Nashville Sound'

7:53am June 15, 2017

by Jewly Hight

His undeniable visibility has made Isbell consider how he represents the South in his music. On his new album, he expands his repertoire of character-driven songwriting with a turn toward politics.

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South African legend Miriam Makeba performing at Zaire 74. The performances of the African artists on the 1974 music festival's lineup have been unearthed for a new live album.

Music & Culture

Before The Rumble In The Jungle, Music Rang Out At Zaire 74

5:59pm June 14, 2017

Trumpeter Hugh Masekela and producer Stewart Levine organized the 1974 festival and produced the new album Zaire 74: The African Artists, which captures performances by Miriam Makeba, Franco and more.

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Rhiannon Giddens' latest solo album is Freedom Highway.

Music & Culture

World Cafe Nashville: Rhiannon Giddens

3:50pm June 13, 2017

by Ann Powers

The singer, fiddler and banjo player performs songs from Freedom Highway, which she wrote to tell the stories of victims of racialized violence throughout American history.

Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm, with Steve Jordan on drums, perform live at WXPN's 2017 Non-COMMvention in Philadelphia, Pa.

Music & Culture

Robert Cray And Steve Jordan On World Cafe

2:32pm June 12, 2017

by David Dye

The bluesman and producer-drummer Steve Jordan discuss the record they made at Royal Studios, birthplace of Al Green's hits. Plus, hear a live performance featuring original members of Hi Rhythm.

"I was very scared to enter this business knowing what I want to give of myself," ALA.NI says. "It's extremely lonely."

Music & Culture

Don't Call It Nostalgia: ALA.NI's Done This For Years

5:01am June 12, 2017

With a cabaret star for a great-uncle and Julie Andrews as her role model, the British singer has been steeped in classic pop all her life. "I just did what I grew up listening to," she says.

"If you hear the music, you don't have to be there looking at somebody's body," Sonny Rollins says. "His music is here. All the time."

Music & Culture

After 7 Decades, Sonny Rollins Can't Get Music Off His Mind

5:00am June 12, 2017

The legendary saxophonist, who recently donated his personal archives, speaks with Christian McBride and Audie Cornish about improvisation, innovation, mentorship and legacy.

The members of Paramore (from left: Taylor York, Hayley Williams and Zac Farro) pair upbeat '80s sounds with bleak lyrics on After Laughter.

Music & Culture

When Times Are Hard, Paramore Calls On '80s Pep

5:46pm June 11, 2017

The trio's new album, After Laughter, sets bleak lyrics against summertime grooves. Taylor York, Hayley Williams and Zac Farro talk about that contrast and having faith in God and each other.

Glen Campbell's daughter Ashley played banjo on his final album, Adiós.

Music & Culture

With Help From Friends And Family, Glen Campbell Says 'Adiós'

5:51pm June 10, 2017

His daughter Ashley Campbell and producer Carl Jackson reflect on the joy and laughter that went into making his final album, recorded a year after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

John Paul White performs live at the Lyric Theatre in Birmingham, Ala.

Music & Culture

In Birmingham, John Paul White Shares Songs And Stories

12:51pm June 10, 2017

The Alabama musician played the music you hear between stories during Weekend Edition's live broadcast from Birmingham. Here, he performs two songs from his latest solo album, Beulah.

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