Music : NPR https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1039 NPR Music features, streams, live concerts and music news. en Copyright 2021 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Tue, 20 Apr 2021 17:16:40 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 Music https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1039 Jim Steinman, Writer Of Operatic Rock Hits For Meat Loaf And Celine Dion, Dies At 73 Closely associated with Meat Loaf, Jim Steinman also wrote over-the-top hits for Bonnie Tyler, Air Supply and Celine Dion, as well as music for the stage. Tue, 20 Apr 2021 17:16:40 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2021/04/20/989245089/jim-steinman-writer-of-operatic-rock-hits-for-meat-loaf-and-celine-dion-dies-at- https://www.npr.org/2021/04/20/989245089/jim-steinman-writer-of-operatic-rock-hits-for-meat-loaf-and-celine-dion-dies-at-

Closely associated with Meat Loaf, Jim Steinman also wrote over-the-top hits for Bonnie Tyler, Air Supply and Celine Dion, as well as music for the stage.

(Image credit: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall of Fame)

]]> Elizabeth Blair 'Renegades' Podcast With Obama And Springsteen Is Interesting ... Enough There's clearly a limit to what the former president will say --even on his own platform. Obama's conversation with the Boss is at its most fluid and introspective when the two discuss masculinity. Tue, 20 Apr 2021 13:32:04 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2021/04/20/989084879/renegades-podcast-with-obama-and-springsteen-is-interesting-enough https://www.npr.org/2021/04/20/989084879/renegades-podcast-with-obama-and-springsteen-is-interesting-enough There's clearly a limit to what the former president will say --even on his own platform. Obama's conversation with the Boss is at its most fluid and introspective when the two discuss masculinity.

]]> Nick Quah Tribute Album 'Law Years' Captures Ornette Coleman's Happy Bounce Coleman, who died in 2015, had a knack for writing catchy melodies in a distinctive voice. Saxophonist Miguel Zenón loves Coleman's music and put together a quartet to play some. Tue, 20 Apr 2021 13:32:04 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2021/04/20/989081119/tribute-album-law-years-captures-ornette-colemans-happy-bounce https://www.npr.org/2021/04/20/989081119/tribute-album-law-years-captures-ornette-colemans-happy-bounce Coleman, who died in 2015, had a knack for writing catchy melodies in a distinctive voice. Saxophonist Miguel Zenón loves Coleman's music and put together a quartet to play some.

]]> Kevin Whitehead C. Tangana: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert The Spanish superstar performed one of the most ambitious, and yet simple, Tiny Desks we've seen in quarantine. Tue, 20 Apr 2021 05:00:29 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2021/04/20/988256921/c-tangana-tiny-desk-home-concert https://www.npr.org/2021/04/20/988256921/c-tangana-tiny-desk-home-concert

The Spanish superstar performed one of the most ambitious, and yet simple, Tiny Desks we've seen in quarantine.

(Image credit: NPR)

]]> Anamaria Sayre A Daughter Grieves Her Mom, And Finds Herself, In 'Crying In H Mart' Michelle Zauner's new memoir, built on her 2018 <em>New Yorker</em> piece of the same name, powerfully maps a complicated mother-daughter relationship cut much too short, with Korean food as a guide. Tue, 20 Apr 2021 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2021/04/20/988665726/a-daughter-grieves-her-mom-and-finds-herself-in-crying-in-h-mart https://www.npr.org/2021/04/20/988665726/a-daughter-grieves-her-mom-and-finds-herself-in-crying-in-h-mart

Michelle Zauner's new memoir, built on her 2018 New Yorker piece of the same name, powerfully maps a complicated mother-daughter relationship cut much too short, with Korean food as a guide.

(Image credit: Knopf)

]]> Kristen Martin Rina Sawayama: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert The Japanese British pop star performs three tracks from her 2020 debut album, SAWAYAMA. Mon, 19 Apr 2021 05:00:22 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2021/04/19/988198737/rina-sawayama-tiny-desk-home-concert https://www.npr.org/2021/04/19/988198737/rina-sawayama-tiny-desk-home-concert

The Japanese British pop star performs three tracks from her 2020 debut album, SAWAYAMA.

(Image credit: NPR)

]]> Alex Ramos On 'Vulture Prince,' Arooj Aftab Finds New Meaning In Familiar Words Aftab's third record, <em>Vulture Prince</em>, was completed after the loss of her younger brother; it weaves grief and longing through the different styles the artist dabbles with. Sun, 18 Apr 2021 07:56:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2021/04/18/988483619/arooj-aftabs-newest-album-finds-light-in-dark-times https://www.npr.org/2021/04/18/988483619/arooj-aftabs-newest-album-finds-light-in-dark-times

Aftab's third record, Vulture Prince, was completed after the loss of her younger brother; it weaves grief and longing through the different styles the artist dabbles with.

(Image credit: Diana Markosian/Courtesy of the artist)

]]> Lulu Garcia-Navarro Not My Job: We Quiz Japanese Breakfast On 'The Breakfast Of Champions' Singer songwriter Michelle Zauner performs under the name Japanese Breakfast so we've invited her to answer three questions about Wheaties. Sat, 17 Apr 2021 08:24:53 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2021/04/17/987992382/not-my-job-we-quiz-japanese-breakfast-on-the-breakfast-of-champions https://www.npr.org/2021/04/17/987992382/not-my-job-we-quiz-japanese-breakfast-on-the-breakfast-of-champions

Singer songwriter Michelle Zauner performs under the name Japanese Breakfast so we've invited her to answer three questions about Wheaties.

(Image credit: Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

]]> Gospel Singer Elizabeth King Hits A Musical Milestone At 77 At the age of 77, Memphis sacred soul singer Elizabeth King is releasing her first full-length album, <em>Living in the Last Days</em>. She talks about it with NPR's Debbie Elliott. Sat, 17 Apr 2021 07:59:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2021/04/17/988331573/gospel-singer-elizabeth-king-hits-a-musical-milestone-at-77 https://www.npr.org/2021/04/17/988331573/gospel-singer-elizabeth-king-hits-a-musical-milestone-at-77 At the age of 77, Memphis sacred soul singer Elizabeth King is releasing her first full-length album, Living in the Last Days. She talks about it with NPR's Debbie Elliott.

]]> Oath Keepers Member Is 1st To Plead Guilty In Capitol Riot Investigation Jon Schaffer pleaded guilty to two charges — obstructing an official proceeding and entering restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon. He has agreed to cooperate fully with investigators. Fri, 16 Apr 2021 13:06:59 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2021/04/16/988120319/justice-department-secures-1st-guilty-plea-of-capitol-riot-investigation https://www.npr.org/2021/04/16/988120319/justice-department-secures-1st-guilty-plea-of-capitol-riot-investigation

Jon Schaffer pleaded guilty to two charges — obstructing an official proceeding and entering restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon. He has agreed to cooperate fully with investigators.

(Image credit: Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

]]> Ryan Lucas Julien Baker's 'Little Oblivions' Goes Deep And Gets Personal On Baker's new album, there's no shying away from the tough stuff. Fri, 16 Apr 2021 12:40:49 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/world-cafe/2021/04/16/987879598/julien-bakers-little-oblivions-goes-deep-and-gets-personal https://www.npr.org/sections/world-cafe/2021/04/16/987879598/julien-bakers-little-oblivions-goes-deep-and-gets-personal

On Baker's new album, there's no shying away from the tough stuff.

(Image credit: Alysse Gafjken/Courtesy of the artist)

]]> Raina Douris Selena At 50: Preserving And Protecting A Precious Legacy This week marks what would have been the 50th birthday of Selena, who died in 1995. Now, she's experiencing a remarkable revival. But has she ever really been that far from our thoughts or playlists? Fri, 16 Apr 2021 08:00:25 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2021/04/16/985827827/selena-at-50-preserving-and-protecting-a-precious-legacy https://www.npr.org/2021/04/16/985827827/selena-at-50-preserving-and-protecting-a-precious-legacy

This week marks what would have been the 50th birthday of Selena, who died in 1995. Now, she's experiencing a remarkable revival. But has she ever really been that far from our thoughts or playlists?

(Image credit: AFP Contributor/AFP via Getty Images)

]]> Deborah Paredez KevOnStage's 5 Favorite Tiny Desk Concerts Actor and comedian KevOnStage spends a considerable amount of time waving the Tiny Desk flag for his millions of followers. We wanted to make this official, so we asked him to share his favorites. Fri, 16 Apr 2021 07:00:55 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2021/04/16/985446341/kevonstages-5-favorite-tiny-desk-concerts https://www.npr.org/2021/04/16/985446341/kevonstages-5-favorite-tiny-desk-concerts

Actor and comedian KevOnStage spends a considerable amount of time waving the Tiny Desk flag for his millions of followers. We wanted to make this official, so we asked him to share his favorites.

(Image credit: NPR)

]]> KevOnStage Very Very Henry Threadgill The saxophonist and composer has always pushed boundaries. Harlem Stage celebrates his career with a two-day concert retrospective of his various groundbreaking ensembles. Thu, 15 Apr 2021 13:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2014/11/13/363674856/very-very-henry-threadgill https://www.npr.org/2014/11/13/363674856/very-very-henry-threadgill

The saxophonist and composer has always pushed boundaries. Harlem Stage celebrates his career with a two-day concert retrospective of his various groundbreaking ensembles.

(Image credit: Shahar Azran/Courtesy of Harlem Stage)

]]> On 'Our Country,' Miko Marks' Musical Lineage Comes Full Circle Marks' catalog — especially her latest album — deserves a close listen, revealing a history lesson not just about her own experiences and repertoire but the entire last century of Black roots music. Thu, 15 Apr 2021 10:00:54 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2021/04/15/987204687/on-our-country-miko-marks-musical-lineage-comes-full-circle https://www.npr.org/2021/04/15/987204687/on-our-country-miko-marks-musical-lineage-comes-full-circle

Marks' catalog — especially her latest album — deserves a close listen, revealing a history lesson not just about her own experiences and repertoire but the entire last century of Black roots music.

(Image credit: Beto Lopez/Courtesy of the artist)

]]> Jewly Hight