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Musicians recommend the music that they love, that inspires them and that they think everyone must hear.
Rap music may have started in the Bronx, but in recent years, the South has taken over the airwaves. The latest selection in the You Must Hear This series, in which musicians talk about a piece of music they love, is some early Southern rap from the group that coined the term "Dirty South." Rapper Bun B, of the Grammy-nominated group UGK, says that Goodie Mob's debut album inspires his life and music to this day.
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The British singer-songwriter first heard "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars" 10 years ago, and he says he's had it on repeat ever since. He explains why he loves this 1967 collaboration between Frank Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim — and why other listeners might love it, too.
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Banjo player David Johnston was first turned on to bluegrass when he was in college. The music reminded him of a bygone era, and he especially loved the music of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys, who continue to inspire him.
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Rocker Andrew W.K., whose songs include "Party Hard," "It's Time to Party" and "Party 'Til You Puke," thinks the music of Johann Sebastian Bach stands among humankind's greatest accomplishments.
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Classical violinist Mark O'Connor's boyhood hero was a country musician. O'Connor says that he'd spend hours on end learning the songs of Johnny Cash — and to this day, his great passion is the tune "Big River."
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For Bjork, Syrian techno star Omar Souleyman is all about the party. He's not above using synths, electronics, drum machines and YouTube to make something vibrant for today. On stage, his sideman whispers poetry in his ear, which Souleyman sings immediately.
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We asked Adam Levine and Jesse Carmichael of the band Maroon 5 to share a piece of music that they love, that inspires them and that they listen to again and again. Hear why they chose Prince's Purple Rain.
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