Music & Culture

Linda Thompson's new album is called Won't Be Long Now.

Music & Culture

It's A Family Affair On Linda Thompson's 'Won't Be Long Now'

3:58pm October 22, 2013

by Ken Tucker

The singer-songwriter's new album sounds like a collection of songs that could have been sung a hundred years ago, or written and recorded just a few weeks ago. She's joined on the album by her ex-husband, Richard Thompson, and their three children.

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Barbara Hannigan and Bejun Mehta in the Festival at Aix production of Written on Skin.

Music & Culture

This Opera Will Eat Your Heart Out

11:05am October 22, 2013

by Lloyd Schwartz

In few operas does all the mayhem express what underlies George Benjamin's Written on Skin. The work conveys a profound awareness of human cruelty and its inextricable connection to passion and art.

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Music & Culture

'The Blow' Puts An Artsy, Electro-Pop Spin On Attraction

11:04am October 22, 2013

by Ken Tucker

Musical duo The Blow, in which the singing of Khaela Maricich meets the mixing of Melissa Dyne, has just released a new eponymous collection. Critic Ken Tucker says the electro-pop on the album is self-aware, sexy and smart — and, while informed by the art world, never dips into "art-rock" territory.

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Music & Culture

Gen Xers, Millenials Sound Off On The Music That Moves Them

10:10am October 22, 2013

Melissa Block and Audie Cornish read listener responses to a question we asked of Gen-X and Millennial listeners last week: "Who are your generation's future musical legends?" Tupac Shakur, Nirvana, Michael Jackson, and Adele made the list, but by far the most frequently mentioned group was a quartet of Irish baby boomers.

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Anoushka Shankar's new album, Traces of You, comes out Tuesday.

Music & Culture

Anoushka Shankar And Norah Jones: Half-Sisters Collaborate At Last

8:02pm October 20, 2013

by NPR Staff

The sitar-playing daughter of the late Ravi Shankar discusses teaming up with her half-sister, Norah Jones, on the new album Traces of You. Hear how their collaboration elicited an unexpected echo of their father's work, a sign that they were meant to work together.

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An Angeleno revels at 10 Times The Party, a celebration of Walt Disney Concert Hall's 10th Anniversary, on Oct. 5 in Los Angeles.

Music & Culture

LA's Own 'Amazing And Unique Instrument' Turns 10

12:23pm October 20, 2013

by Arun Rath

This coming week, Disney Hall celebrates its 10th anniversary. NPR's Arun Rath speaks with conductor and music director Gustavo Dudamel, as well as other figures from the Los Angeles classical scene, about the highlights since then.

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Is Pitbull 'Mr. Education'? Rapper Opens Charter School In Miami

9:52am October 18, 2013

by Claudio Sanchez

Pitbull is just one of a growing number of celebrities who've lent their names and opened their wallets to the charter school movement. His Sports Leadership And Management Academy opened in Miami this fall.

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A scene from the revival of Einstein on the Beach.

Music & Culture

The Minds Behind 'Einstein On The Beach' Talk Shop

1:15pm October 17, 2013

by Arun Rath

Composer Phillip Glass, director Robert Wilson and choreographer Lucinda Childs discuss their epic modern opera, which is being staged for the first time in two decades.

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Onyx in an undated photo. From left to right, Sticky Fingaz, Fredro Starr, Suave and Big DS.

Music & Culture

The Year Onyx's 'Slam' Crashed Pop Radio

10:23am October 17, 2013

by Dan Charnas

In 1993 Onyx's raucous single became an unlikely hit on MTV and pop radio. The song was on the leading edge of a media change of heart.

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Ben Zion Shenker (right) is a world-renowned composer in the Modzitzer tradition of Chasidic Judiaism.

Music & Culture

The Greatest Living Figure Of Chasidic Music

6:39pm October 16, 2013

by Jon Kalish

The Modzitzer sect of Chasidic Judaism, which originated in the Polish town of Modzitz, is known for its beautiful melodies. Among the most emblematic and prolific composers in this tradition is Brooklynite Ben Zion Shenker — who, at 88, continues to create new works.

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