Music

Philadelphia-based music journalist John Morrison lists five of the best recent beat tapes by producers with deep ties to Philly's music scene.

Known primarily for his southern-flavored operas, Floyd helped create an American opera vernacular. His 1955 hit Susannah won the New York Music Critics Circle Award and helped launch his career.

On Wednesday, Jamie Spears was suspended as his daughter's conservator. Is all the media attention, including three new Spears documentaries, still welcome?

At a hearing Wednesday at Los Angeles Superior Court, Judge Brenda J. Penny suspended the pop star's father from controlling her financial affairs. Britney Spears has accused him of exploiting her.

Pere Ubu leader David Thomas remixed two of his favorite Ubu albums, 1998's Pennsylvania and 2002's St. Arkansas, saying that the remixes are so substantial, they amount to being two new albums.

Let Me Do One More, the latest from songwriter, engineer and producer Sarah Tudzin, is proof that ambition doesn't have to be serious and that moments of vulnerability can also make for hooky rippers.

Spears and her father petitioned to end his conservatorship role. A Los Angeles judge has granted that request.

This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features Alan Stivell, Battlefield Band, Tony Cuffe, Clannad and Corrina Hewat.

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with gospel artist Pastor T.L. Barrett, Jr., whose collected work was recently reissued in a box set called I Shall Wear a Crown.

Known as "The Voice of Iran," Googoosh was silenced by the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Active again since 2000, she uses music to keep Iranians forced to leave the country in touch with their culture.

Pop star Britney Spears is having a big day in court on Wednesday. Spears is hoping that a judge will remove her father, Jamie Spears, as the conservator of her estate.

Dr. Lonnie Smith, an influential American organ player and member of the George Benson quartet in the 1960s, died this week at the age of 79.