Music News http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1106&ft=1&f=1106 Current music news, artist interviews, album reviews, and music industry news from NPR Music. Rock, pop, folk, classical, jazz, blues, urban, and world music. Watch video sessions. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 05:59:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Music News http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1106&ft=1&f=1106 The Beatles' Defining Moment (Hint: It's Not 'Sgt. Pepper') In 1963, the Fab Four recorded a series of sessions at the BBC, which author Colin Fleming argues are emblematic of the band they would become. Sun, 16 Jun 2013 05:59:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/16/191705940/bbc-beatles-on-wesunt?ft=1&f=1106 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/16/191705940/bbc-beatles-on-wesunt?ft=1&f=1106 In 1963, the Fab Four recorded a series of sessions at the BBC, which author Colin Fleming argues are emblematic of the band they would become.

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]]> Pandora Buys A Radio Station, Songwriters' Group Calls It A 'Stunt' This week, the Internet radio broadcaster bought a radio station in Rapid City, S.D., in an effort to get the more favorable royalty rates given to terrestrial broadcasters. But the move has songwriters and composers up in arms. Sat, 15 Jun 2013 05:28:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/06/15/191703769/songwriters-group-calls-pandoras-radio-station-buy-a-stunt?ft=1&f=1106 http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/06/15/191703769/songwriters-group-calls-pandoras-radio-station-buy-a-stunt?ft=1&f=1106 This week, the Internet radio broadcaster bought a radio station in Rapid City, S.D., in an effort to get the more favorable royalty rates given to terrestrial broadcasters. But the move has songwriters and composers up in arms.

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]]> Playing Mozart — On Mozart's Violin Hearing — and holding — Mozart's own instruments is a thrill like no other. The great composer's violin and viola, which are only pulled out of storage in Salzburg about once a year, are in the United States for the very first time. And the magic they wield is undeniable. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:23:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2013/06/14/190975113/playing-mozart-on-mozarts-violin?ft=1&f=1106 http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2013/06/14/190975113/playing-mozart-on-mozarts-violin?ft=1&f=1106 Hearing — and holding — Mozart's own instruments is a thrill like no other. The great composer's violin and viola, which are only pulled out of storage in Salzburg about once a year, are in the United States for the very first time. And the magic they wield is undeniable.

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]]> Johnny Smith, Revered Guitar Player, Has Died Though mainly a jazz player, wrote the surf guitar anthem "Walk, Don't Run," which became a Top 10 hit for The Ventures on two occasions. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:11:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/06/14/191396165/johnny-smith-revered-guitar-player-has-died?ft=1&f=1106 http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/06/14/191396165/johnny-smith-revered-guitar-player-has-died?ft=1&f=1106 Though mainly a jazz player, wrote the surf guitar anthem "Walk, Don't Run," which became a Top 10 hit for The Ventures on two occasions.

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]]> Reflections On A Dozen Years With Abbey Lincoln When he was 21, pianist Marc Cary moved to New York City to find his father. He wound up finding himself in the upper echelons of the city's jazz scene. Cary's new album pays tribute to the legendary singer and songwriter with whom he spent more than a decade performing. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:13:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ablogsupreme/2013/06/14/191378516/reflections-on-a-dozen-years-with-abbey-lincoln?ft=1&f=1106 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ablogsupreme/2013/06/14/191378516/reflections-on-a-dozen-years-with-abbey-lincoln?ft=1&f=1106 When he was 21, pianist Marc Cary moved to New York City to find his father. He wound up finding himself in the upper echelons of the city's jazz scene. Cary's new album pays tribute to the legendary singer and songwriter with whom he spent more than a decade performing.

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]]> Bob Dylan's Tribute To Medgar Evers Took On The Big Picture Fifty years ago, Dylan's career was just taking off when he heard the news that the civil rights activist had been killed. "Only a Pawn in Their Game," his response to Evers' assassination, highlights the victimization of poor whites and blacks alike. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:53:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/12/190743651/bob-dylans-tribute-to-medgar-evers-took-on-the-big-picture?ft=1&f=1106 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/12/190743651/bob-dylans-tribute-to-medgar-evers-took-on-the-big-picture?ft=1&f=1106 Fifty years ago, Dylan's career was just taking off when he heard the news that the civil rights activist had been killed. "Only a Pawn in Their Game," his response to Evers' assassination, highlights the victimization of poor whites and blacks alike.

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]]> A Loaded Bible Story, Tweaked For The Opera Stage Composer Mark Adamo has made his mark turning classic books, including <em>Little Women</em> and the Greek drama <em>Lysistrata,</em> into operas. His latest, <em>The Gospel of Mary Magdalene,</em> covers more sensitive territory, examining the titular figure's relationship to Jesus — outside the canonical Bible. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:21:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2013/06/12/190742256/a-loaded-bible-story-tweaked-for-the-opera-stage?ft=1&f=1106 http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2013/06/12/190742256/a-loaded-bible-story-tweaked-for-the-opera-stage?ft=1&f=1106 Composer Mark Adamo has made his mark turning classic books, including Little Women and the Greek drama Lysistrata, into operas. His latest, The Gospel of Mary Magdalene, covers more sensitive territory, examining the titular figure's relationship to Jesus — outside the canonical Bible.

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]]> Boards Of Canada Tap A Devout Following To Push New Album By leaking details of its new release through codes and numbers, the Scottish electronic duo worked the press game backwards. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:15:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/06/13/190753152/boards-of-canada-tap-a-devout-following-to-push-new-album?ft=1&f=1106 http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/06/13/190753152/boards-of-canada-tap-a-devout-following-to-push-new-album?ft=1&f=1106 By leaking details of its new release through codes and numbers, the Scottish electronic duo worked the press game backwards.

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]]> Spotlighting Background Singers In 'Twenty Feet From Stardom' Filmmaker Morgan Neville's new documentary chronicles backup singers who have supported some of the biggest acts in music history, from Ike and Tina Turner to The Rolling Stones and sung some of pop music's catchiest hooks. Tue, 11 Jun 2013 03:02:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/11/190450661/background-singers-hit-center-stage-in-twenty-feet-from-stardom?ft=1&f=1106 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/11/190450661/background-singers-hit-center-stage-in-twenty-feet-from-stardom?ft=1&f=1106 Filmmaker Morgan Neville's new documentary chronicles backup singers who have supported some of the biggest acts in music history, from Ike and Tina Turner to The Rolling Stones and sung some of pop music's catchiest hooks.

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]]> Why Being Stuck On A Tarmac With The Philly Orchestra Rocks Doing the impossible, four members of the Philadelphia Orchestra turned a three-hour flight delay into something magical. Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:08:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/06/11/189544736/why-being-stuck-on-a-tarmac-with-the-philly-orchestra-rocks?ft=1&f=1106 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/06/11/189544736/why-being-stuck-on-a-tarmac-with-the-philly-orchestra-rocks?ft=1&f=1106 Doing the impossible, four members of the Philadelphia Orchestra turned a three-hour flight delay into something magical.

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]]> Ukrainian Wins Top Prize At Van Cliburn Piano Competition Vadym Kholodenko, 26, of Ukraine, takes home the $50,000 purse, plus three years of professional management. But, he says, the rankings don't mean that much. It's interesting for the audience, Kholodenko says, but in life it's "not so important." Mon, 10 Jun 2013 05:19:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2013/06/10/189511177/ukrainian-wins-top-prize-at-van-cliburn-piano-competition?ft=1&f=1106 http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2013/06/10/189511177/ukrainian-wins-top-prize-at-van-cliburn-piano-competition?ft=1&f=1106 Vadym Kholodenko, 26, of Ukraine, takes home the $50,000 purse, plus three years of professional management. But, he says, the rankings don't mean that much. It's interesting for the audience, Kholodenko says, but in life it's "not so important."

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]]> 'Arab Idol' Finalist Delivers Sweet Music, Palestinian Pride In the Arab world's version of <em>American Idol</em>, a young singer from the isolated Gaza Strip is hitting the high notes of Palestinian hope. Supporters say a victory by Mohammad Assaf, a finalist in the competition, would be a victory for art, which has been long neglected in Gaza. Sun, 09 Jun 2013 05:05:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/06/09/189587793/arab-idol-finalist-delivers-sweet-music-palestinian-pride?ft=1&f=1106 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/06/09/189587793/arab-idol-finalist-delivers-sweet-music-palestinian-pride?ft=1&f=1106 In the Arab world's version of American Idol, a young singer from the isolated Gaza Strip is hitting the high notes of Palestinian hope. Supporters say a victory by Mohammad Assaf, a finalist in the competition, would be a victory for art, which has been long neglected in Gaza.

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]]> Justin Bieber Destined For Outer Space The pop star has booked a seat on Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, following in the footsteps of fellow celebrities Ashton Kutcher, Leonardo DiCaprio and Angelina Jolie. Thu, 06 Jun 2013 17:56:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/06/06/189298048/justin-bieber-destined-for-outer-space?ft=1&f=1106 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/06/06/189298048/justin-bieber-destined-for-outer-space?ft=1&f=1106 The pop star has booked a seat on Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, following in the footsteps of fellow celebrities Ashton Kutcher, Leonardo DiCaprio and Angelina Jolie.

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]]> The Cliburn Competition After Van Founded in 1962, the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition continues this year without the presence of its iconic namesake. But organizers and contestants believe the contest — as well as its high standards and ability to boost careers — will remain. Wed, 05 Jun 2013 17:02:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2013/06/12/188938009/the-cliburn-competition-after-van?ft=1&f=1106 http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2013/06/12/188938009/the-cliburn-competition-after-van?ft=1&f=1106 Founded in 1962, the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition continues this year without the presence of its iconic namesake. But organizers and contestants believe the contest — as well as its high standards and ability to boost careers — will remain.

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]]> Calmly, From Portland, It's The Quiet Music Festival For the annual Quiet Music Festival of Portland, which begins today, the goal is to celebrate calming sounds. The festival gained fame after the show <em>Portlandia</em> featured a Battle Of The Gentle Bands. Fri, 31 May 2013 12:50:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/31/187535749/calmly-from-portland-its-the-quiet-music-festival?ft=1&f=1106 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/31/187535749/calmly-from-portland-its-the-quiet-music-festival?ft=1&f=1106 For the annual Quiet Music Festival of Portland, which begins today, the goal is to celebrate calming sounds. The festival gained fame after the show Portlandia featured a Battle Of The Gentle Bands.

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