Folk http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=139999257&ft=1&f=139999257 NPR Music stories featuring folk music. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Fri, 17 May 2013 02:00:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Folk http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=139999257&ft=1&f=139999257 Sam Amidon: Reshaping An American Folk Tradition Shape-note singing is a communal form of music that began in New England 200 years ago, mostly from townsfolk without any musical training. Sam Amidon says the melodies of shape-note hymns are some of the "deepest-seated for me." Fri, 17 May 2013 02:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184547006/sam-amidon-reshaping-an-american-folk-tradition?ft=1&f=139999257 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184547006/sam-amidon-reshaping-an-american-folk-tradition?ft=1&f=139999257 Shape-note singing is a communal form of music that began in New England 200 years ago, mostly from townsfolk without any musical training. Sam Amidon says the melodies of shape-note hymns are some of the "deepest-seated for me."

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]]> Next: Laura Stevenson The death-obsessed singer-songwriter explores a dark, folk-infused sound on her new album, <em>Wheel</em>. Mon, 13 May 2013 14:46:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/13/183605549/next-laura-stevenson?ft=1&f=139999257 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/13/183605549/next-laura-stevenson?ft=1&f=139999257 The death-obsessed singer-songwriter explores a dark, folk-infused sound on her new album, Wheel.

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]]> Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale: Tiny Desk Concert The veteran country players mix corny humor, musical merrymaking and timeless vocal harmonies. With three songs from their album-length collaboration <em>Buddy and Jim,</em> Miller and Lauderdale perform an endearing set at the NPR Music offices. Mon, 13 May 2013 14:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/event/music/183595144/buddy-miller-jim-lauderdale-tiny-desk-concert?ft=1&f=139999257 http://www.npr.org/event/music/183595144/buddy-miller-jim-lauderdale-tiny-desk-concert?ft=1&f=139999257 The veteran country players mix corny humor, musical merrymaking and timeless vocal harmonies. With three songs from their album-length collaboration Buddy and Jim, Miller and Lauderdale perform an endearing set at the NPR Music offices.

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]]> First Listen: The Handsome Family, 'Wilderness' The duo returns with a concept album about wildlife, with an emphasis on nature's capacity for destruction. Animals may burrow in and out of each of these songs, but they're merely helping humanity forge a pathway to madness. Sun, 12 May 2013 22:30:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/12/182867242/first-listen-the-handsome-family-wilderness?ft=1&f=139999257 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/12/182867242/first-listen-the-handsome-family-wilderness?ft=1&f=139999257 The duo returns with a concept album about wildlife, with an emphasis on nature's capacity for destruction. Animals may burrow in and out of each of these songs, but they're merely helping humanity forge a pathway to madness.

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]]> Billy Bragg On World Cafe The British singer-songwriter plays songs from his quiet and introspective new album <em>Tooth & Nail</em>, inspired by the collection of Woody Guthrie songs he produced with Wilco in 1998. Mon, 06 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/06/174735889/billy-bragg-on-world-cafe?ft=1&f=139999257 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/06/174735889/billy-bragg-on-world-cafe?ft=1&f=139999257 The British singer-songwriter plays songs from his quiet and introspective new album Tooth & Nail, inspired by the collection of Woody Guthrie songs he produced with Wilco in 1998.

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]]> First Watch: The Handsome Family, 'Woodpecker' The Handsome Family's song "Woodpecker" tells the true story of Mary Sweeney, a woman who lived in the late 19th century and was known as the Wisconsin Window Smasher for her compulsive habit of breaking windows. Mon, 06 May 2013 12:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2013/04/30/180077553/first-watch-the-handsome-family-woodpecker?ft=1&f=139999257 http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2013/04/30/180077553/first-watch-the-handsome-family-woodpecker?ft=1&f=139999257 The Handsome Family's song "Woodpecker" tells the true story of Mary Sweeney, a woman who lived in the late 19th century and was known as the Wisconsin Window Smasher for her compulsive habit of breaking windows.

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]]> Iron And Wine: Words Like Seedlings Sam Beam says he isn't "worried about people understanding exactly what's happening" in any given song. In this interview, he discusses the "exposed, vulnerable place" described in "Caught in the Briars," as well as the themes that run through <em>Ghost on Ghost</em>, Iron and Wine's new album. Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/29/179845298/iron-and-wine-words-like-seedlings?ft=1&f=139999257 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/29/179845298/iron-and-wine-words-like-seedlings?ft=1&f=139999257 Sam Beam says he isn't "worried about people understanding exactly what's happening" in any given song. In this interview, he discusses the "exposed, vulnerable place" described in "Caught in the Briars," as well as the themes that run through Ghost on Ghost, Iron and Wine's new album.

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]]> The Lone Bellow On World Cafe The folk-rock trio brings its soulful harmonies to the studio and discusses the tragedy that inspired many of its songs. Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/29/174318768/the-lone-bellow-on-world-cafe?ft=1&f=139999257 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/29/174318768/the-lone-bellow-on-world-cafe?ft=1&f=139999257 The folk-rock trio brings its soulful harmonies to the studio and discusses the tragedy that inspired many of its songs.

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]]> Singing Sisters Reconsider The Everly Brothers The Chapin Sisters were once a trio. When one member left to start a family, the remaining sisters looked to another sibling duo for inspiration. Sat, 27 Apr 2013 05:03:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/27/179285538/singing-sisters-reconsider-the-everly-brothers?ft=1&f=139999257 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/27/179285538/singing-sisters-reconsider-the-everly-brothers?ft=1&f=139999257 The Chapin Sisters were once a trio. When one member left to start a family, the remaining sisters looked to another sibling duo for inspiration.

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]]> Blue Yonder On Mountain Stage The West Virginia trio fuses country, honky-tonk and jazz during this home-state live performance. Though this is Blue Yonder's first time on <em>Mountain Stage</em>, two of its members have made dozens of appearances on the show over the years. Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:30:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/event/music/179005064/blue-yonder-on-mountain-stage?ft=1&f=139999257 http://www.npr.org/event/music/179005064/blue-yonder-on-mountain-stage?ft=1&f=139999257 The West Virginia trio fuses country, honky-tonk and jazz during this home-state live performance. Though this is Blue Yonder's first time on Mountain Stage, two of its members have made dozens of appearances on the show over the years.

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]]> The Milk Carton Kids, Making The Most Of Two Voices The harmony-rich folk duo plays songs from its new album, <em>The Ash & Clay</em>, and discusses its career. Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:43:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/23/178603088/the-milk-carton-kids-making-the-most-of-two-voices?ft=1&f=139999257 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/23/178603088/the-milk-carton-kids-making-the-most-of-two-voices?ft=1&f=139999257 The harmony-rich folk duo plays songs from its new album, The Ash & Clay, and discusses its career.

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]]> Richie Havens, Folk Singer Who Opened Woodstock, Has Died Richie Havens had a long career as a musician, but he's still most famous for one set he played to hundreds of thousands in New York in 1969. Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/04/23/178470389/richie-havens-folk-singer-who-opened-woodstock-has-died?ft=1&f=139999257 http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/04/23/178470389/richie-havens-folk-singer-who-opened-woodstock-has-died?ft=1&f=139999257 Richie Havens had a long career as a musician, but he's still most famous for one set he played to hundreds of thousands in New York in 1969.

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]]> Josh Ritter: Coming Out Of The Dark Clouds The charming singer-songwriter and his Royal City Band recently performed a sold-out show at Portland's iconic Crystal Ballroom. During soundcheck for the concert, Ritter let in video cameras from opbmusic for a gorgeous rendition of "Hopeful." Watch the video, then download the MP3. Sat, 20 Apr 2013 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/event/music/176171890/josh-ritter-coming-out-of-the-dark-clouds?ft=1&f=139999257 http://www.npr.org/event/music/176171890/josh-ritter-coming-out-of-the-dark-clouds?ft=1&f=139999257 The charming singer-songwriter and his Royal City Band recently performed a sold-out show at Portland's iconic Crystal Ballroom. During soundcheck for the concert, Ritter let in video cameras from opbmusic for a gorgeous rendition of "Hopeful." Watch the video, then download the MP3.

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]]> Hundreds Of Years Old, These Songs Tour Like New Through the centuries, old songs known as the Child ballads have been passed down and tweaked to fit the times. More recently, they've been adapted by the folk revivalists of the 1950s and rockers from the '60s and '70s. Now, a duo of young songwriters is reviving them yet again. Sat, 20 Apr 2013 06:17:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/20/177997065/not-for-kids-these-child-ballads-are-steeped-in-history?ft=1&f=139999257 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/20/177997065/not-for-kids-these-child-ballads-are-steeped-in-history?ft=1&f=139999257 Through the centuries, old songs known as the Child ballads have been passed down and tweaked to fit the times. More recently, they've been adapted by the folk revivalists of the 1950s and rockers from the '60s and '70s. Now, a duo of young songwriters is reviving them yet again.

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]]> Shovels And Rope On Mountain Stage Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst are a married couple, but they only began playing music together in 2010. Here, the two play buoyant roots-rock songs from their debut album, <em>O' Be Joyful</em>. Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:59:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/event/music/177929099/shovels-and-rope-on-mountain-stage?ft=1&f=139999257 http://www.npr.org/event/music/177929099/shovels-and-rope-on-mountain-stage?ft=1&f=139999257 Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst are a married couple, but they only began playing music together in 2010. Here, the two play buoyant roots-rock songs from their debut album, O' Be Joyful.

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