Folk : NPR

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#NowPlaying

Julie Doiron, 'You Gave Me The Key'

September 21, 2021 • With its shufflin' rhythm section and a bendy line harmonized by double guitar, "You Gave Me the Key" choogles along to Doiron's bright rasp tinged with a touch of life's uncertainty.

José González Returns With 'Local Valley'

Folk singer, songwriter and guitarist José González released his fourth studio album, Local Valley, on Sept. 17. Peter Toggeth / Mikel Cee Karlsson/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Peter Toggeth / Mikel Cee Karlsson/Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

José González Returns With 'Local Valley'

September 16, 2021 • The singer-songwriter, renowned for his hushed work, looked to his surroundings for inspiration on his new album, Local Valley.

José González Returns With 'Local Valley'

Listen · 7:41 7:41

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Transcript

Join NPR Music's Listening Party For John Prine's Debut Album

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Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

Join NPR Music's Listening Party For John Prine's Debut Album

September 16, 2021 • John Prine's self-titled album came out 50 years ago. Bonnie Raitt, Jim Rooney, Fiona Prine and Jody Whelan guest in an online listening party with host Ann Powers on Sept. 23.

George Wein, Music Festival Pioneer, Dies At 95

George Wein, backstage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in May 2012. Rick Diamond/Getty Images hide caption

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Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Obituaries

George Wein, Music Festival Pioneer, Dies At 95

September 13, 2021 • A founder of the Newport Folk Festival, the Newport Jazz Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival — and perhaps the most important jazz impresario of all time — died Monday.

Foy Vance performs live for Mountain Stage in Charleston, W.Va. Brian Blauser /Mountain Stage hide caption

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Brian Blauser /Mountain Stage

Mountain Stage

Foy Vance On Mountain Stage

September 10, 2021 • We revisit the Northern Irish singer-songwriter's set from 2016.

Foy Vance On Mountain Stage

39:47

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Folk artist Pete Seeger is featured in this week's episode. Bryan Bedder/Getty Images hide caption

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Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

50 Years Of NPR

The Thistle & Shamrock: Celtic Voices

September 9, 2021 • This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features The Bothy Band, Pete Seeger and Jean Redpath.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Celtic Voices

57:58

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Joe Troop, 'The Rise Of Dreama Caldwell'

Kendall Bailey /Courtesy of the artist

#NowPlaying

Joe Troop, 'The Rise Of Dreama Caldwell'

Jefferson Public Radio

September 9, 2021 • Best-known as the leader of the Grammy-nominated folk ensemble Che Apalache, singer and banjo player Joe Troop has sharpened both quill and activist voice on his new single.

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Tiny Desk

The Staves: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

September 1, 2021 • The three sisters play songs from their latest album, Good Woman, from the house they grew up in.

To Jackson Browne, Songwriting Is A Game Of Revision

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Nels Israelson/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

To Jackson Browne, Songwriting Is A Game Of Revision

XPN

August 27, 2021 • Songwriting is a craft. No one follows through on that promise more than Jackson Browne.

Jackson Browne on World Cafe

46:21

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Julian Neel/Courtesy of the artist

#NowPlaying

Natalie Jane Hill, 'Orb Weaver'

August 27, 2021 • A year after her debut, Hill quietly expands her universe with "Orb Weaver," featuring delicately ornate pedal steel and cello that gently eddies around a whitewater of finger-picked guitar.

Sarah Jarosz performs on Mountain Stage. Josh Saul /Mountain Stage hide caption

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Josh Saul /Mountain Stage

Mountain Stage

Sarah Jarosz On Mountain Stage

August 26, 2021 • Revisit a classic Mountain Stage performance by the Americana singer-songwriter.

Sarah Jarosz On Mountain Stage

24:53

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Hiss Golden Messenger Performs Songs From Throughout His Career

Hiss Golden Messenger Chris Frisina/Courtesy of the Artist hide caption

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Chris Frisina/Courtesy of the Artist

World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

Hiss Golden Messenger Performs Songs From Throughout His Career

XPN

August 20, 2021 • You might wonder why Hiss Golden Messenger's new album is called Quietly Blowing It — because bandleader M.C. Taylor has not been blowing it at all.

Hiss Golden Messenger on World Cafe

32:40

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Patty Griffin performs on Mountain Stage. Brian Blauser/Mountain Stage hide caption

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Brian Blauser/Mountain Stage

Mountain Stage

Patty Griffin On Mountain Stage

August 20, 2021 • In this 2014 concert, singer-songwriter Patty Griffin plays songs from the rediscovered Silver Bell, as well as a sublime cover of the Billy Hill-written song "Glory of Love."

Patty Griffin On Mountain Stage

32:04

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Tiny Desk

Joy Oladokun: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

August 20, 2021 • Watch the folk-soul singer-songwriter perform four songs from her new album, in defense of my own happiness.

Courtesy of the artist

#NowPlaying

Semler, 'Jesus From Texas'

August 19, 2021 • This #NowPlaying discovery of Semler comes to us from this year's Tiny Desk Contest.

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The Thistle & Shamrock

The Thistle & Shamrock: Carry The Torch

August 19, 2021 • This week's episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd, Caroline Keane and The Shee.

The Thistle & Shamrock: Carry The Torch

57:57

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Nicki Fletcher/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

Brittney Spencer Follows Her Own Light

XPN

August 18, 2021 • For every time that someone succeeds by following certain markers, there's someone who succeeds by following their own light. Brittney Spencer is the latter.

Brittney Spencer on World Cafe Nashville

29:49

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Courtesy of the artist

#NowPlaying

Watchhouse, 'New Star'

North Carolina Public Radio – WUNC

August 17, 2021 • The duo formerly known as Mandolin Orange return with a new name and new, typically lovely song about setting a good example for the next generation.

Steve Tannen and Deb Talan of The Weepies, seen performing on Mountain Stage in 2010. Brian Blauser /Mountain Stage hide caption

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Brian Blauser /Mountain Stage

Mountain Stage

The Weepies On Mountain Stage

August 13, 2021 • Listen to an archival concert from husband-wife duo Deb Talan and Steve Tannen, recorded on West Virginia's most famous stage.

The Weepies On Mountain Stage

26:41

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From Vinyl To MP3: 50 Classic Celtic Songs That Shaped The Thistle & Shamrock, Part 2

Husband-wife duo Arty McGlynn and Nollaig Casey are featured in this week's episode. Old Bridge Music hide caption

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Old Bridge Music

50 Years Of NPR

From Vinyl To MP3: 50 Classic Celtic Songs That Shaped The Thistle & Shamrock, Part 2

August 12, 2021 • Fiona Ritchie offers 50 classic Celtic songs and instrumentals that have defined her decades-long career in radio.

From Vinyl To MP3: 50 Classic Celtic Songs That Shaped The Thistle & Shamrock, Part 2

57:57

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Courtesy of the artist

#NowPlaying

Hayden Pedigo, 'Letting Go'

August 10, 2021 • "Letting Go" is a slow burn, glowing auburn against pedal steel, synths and Pedigo's loping guitar as if the song's got nowhere to go, yet is compelled by unseen forces to move on.

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Tiny Desk

Flock Of Dimes: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

August 10, 2021 • Backed by members of Sylvan Esso, Mountain Man, Bon Iver and more, Flock of Dimes' Jenn Wasner performs three songs from her new album, Head of Roses.