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Music Interviews
6:40 am
Sat July 28, 2012

Michael Kiwanuka: For Those Who Think Young

Credit Sam Butt / Courtesy of the artist
Michael Kiwanuka's debut album Home Again was released this spring.

Originally published on Sat July 28, 2012 6:52 am

It's been a hugely successful year for Michael Kiwanuka. The British singer-songwriter, who just turned 25, has been voted the BBC Sound of 2012, and was picked to tour with Adele.

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Music News
6:40 am
Sat July 28, 2012

Rodriguez: Forgotten In America, Exalted In Africa

Originally published on Sat July 28, 2012 6:52 am

Legends rarely disappear. But Sixto Rodriguez that did just that.

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Piano Jazz
6:25 pm
Fri July 27, 2012

Radio Legend Studs Terkel On Piano Jazz

Originally published on Tue October 23, 2012 2:36 pm

Though he's remembered for his intense interest in the lives of everyday folks, the Pulitzer Prize winning author and Chicago radio legend Studs Terkel was also a great lover of music, and especially jazz. His first book, Giants of Jazz, featured literary portraits of the likes of Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong.

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The Record
3:24 pm
Fri July 27, 2012

The Race To Create A Music Superlabel Still Faces Hurdles

Credit Alex Wong / Getty Images
Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group Lucian Grainge (left) and Roger Faxon, the CEO of EMI Group, testify during a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing on Universal's proposed merger with EMI.

Originally published on Tue September 18, 2012 6:26 pm

It's been a tough decade for the music industry. Revenues have tumbled — from more than $14 billion in 1999 down to $7 billion last year. EMI, one of the big four record labels, was taken over by venture capitalists and then taken over again, after they defaulted, by Citigroup. Now, Universal Music Group wants to buy the recorded music division of EMI for $1.9 billion. But critics say if the two companies merge it will create a superlabel that will dominate the music industry.

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Live Fridays From XPN
3:12 pm
Fri July 27, 2012

The Tallest Man on Earth In Concert

Originally published on Fri September 7, 2012 1:34 pm

Swedish singer-songwriter Kristian Matsson is the epitome of a modern-day troubadour. Known for his crooning voice and acoustic folk tunes, Matsson recently released his fourth full-length album under the name The Tallest Man on Earth, entitled There's No Leaving Now.

However simple his formula may seem, The Tallest Man on Earth is much more than just a man with a guitar. His intricate fingerpicking, thoughtful lyrics and big voice give his work great height — and help him live up to his stage name.

Set List

  • To Just Grow Away
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World Cafe
2:45 pm
Fri July 27, 2012

Joe Jackson On World Cafe

Credit Courtesy of the artist
Joe Jackson.

Originally published on Fri July 27, 2012 2:46 pm

Joe Jackson is well known as the writer of the 1979 hit "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" and for his biggest single, "Steppin' Out." Jackson — who grew up in Portsmouth, England and attended the Royal Academy of Music — has also had five Grammy nominations over his illustrious four-decade career.

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Mountain Stage
1:18 pm
Fri July 27, 2012

Ann Magnuson On Mountain Stage

Credit Brian Blauser / Mountain Stage
Ann Magnuson performs on Mountain Stage.

Originally published on Mon August 6, 2012 9:31 am

Recorded in 2005, this show was Ann Magnuson's first appearance on Mountain Stage. The Charleston, W. Va. native received a B.F.A. in Theater and Cinema from Denison University and studied acting in London. Magnuson has been involved in several wildly eclectic and influential music projects, including the sardonic folk trio Bleaker Street Incident and the heavy metal group Vulcan Death Grip. She was also the lead singer and lyricist for the psycho-psychedelic band Bongwater.

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Deceptive Cadence
1:06 pm
Fri July 27, 2012

Around The Classical Internet: July 27, 2012

Credit Bob Gruen / courtesy of the artist
Bass-baritone Evgeny Nikitin's current publicity shot, in which his controversial tattoos are not visible.
  • Russian bass-baritone Yevgeny Nikitin was tossed from his upcoming engagement singing Wagner at the Bayreuth Festival. It was discovered that he has had an enormous swastika tattoo on the right side of his chest and a Nazi "life rune" on his arm.
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The Record
12:09 pm
Fri July 27, 2012

Do You Really Know What Live Is?

Credit David Wolff-Patrick / Redferns via Getty Images
Nils Lofgren, Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Van Zandt performing in Paris earlier this month.

Originally published on Tue September 18, 2012 6:26 pm

For a few minutes the other night, I thought I'd be going to see One Direction this Sunday. A dad I know sent me a text proposing that we bring our third-graders to Key Arena for the exceptionally mop-topped British boy band's Seattle show. He thought we could nab some tickets.

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All Songs Considered Blog
11:50 am
Fri July 27, 2012

Drum Fill Friday, From The Antlers' Michael Lerner

Credit Andy Sheppard / Redferns

The selections in this week's drum fill quiz come from the amazing Michael Lerner, drummer for The Antlers. Somehow he found time to put this list together for us while the band was finishing up it's new EP, Undersea. I thought it was a pretty challenging quiz, but see what you think.

Drag the drum fill or intro to the album it's from. If you get it right, the song names will appear.

More Drum Fill Quizes

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