The Decemberists, Nat King Cole, Antony and the Johnsons

New music from The Decemberists; Canada's country rocker Kathleen Edwards; Remembering the music of Nat King Cole; Surreal crooner Antony and the Johnsons; Galaxie 500's Damon and Naomi; Columbian activist Andrea Echeverri; A Brazilian in New York: Luiz Bonfa; Roots of rap from Linton Kwesi Johnson; Radiohead for piano: Christopher O'Riley; A farewell to minimalist Harold Budd.

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The Decemberists, Nat King Cole, Antony and the Johnsons

Picaresque

The Infanta

  • Artist: The Decemberists
  • Album: Picaresque
  • Song: The Infanta

The Decemberists are a five-piece Portland band previously featured on All Songs Considered episode 59.

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  • "The Infanta"
  • Album: Picaresque
  • Artist: The Decemberists
  • Label: Kill Rock Stars
 
Back to Me

Somewhere Else

  • Artist: Kathleen Edwards
  • Album: Back to Me
  • Song: Somewhere Else

This is singer/songwriter Kathleen Edward's second CD. Her first was featured on All Songs Considered episode 32.

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  • "Somewhere Else"
  • Album: Back to Me
  • Artist: Kathleen Edwards
  • Label: Maple
 
The World of Nat King Cole

Mona Lisa

  • Artist: Nat King Cole
  • Album: The World of Nat King Cole
  • Song: Mona Lisa

More than 40 years after his death, the music of Nat King Cole is remembered on this new collection of classics like "Nature Boy" and "Unforgettable."

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  • "Mona Lisa"
  • Album: The World of Nat King Cole
  • Artist: Nat King Cole
 
I Am a Bird Now

Fistful of Love

  • Artist: Antony and the Johnsons
  • Album: I Am a Bird Now
  • Song: Fistful of Love

Antony is a 21st century crooner with a strange and delicate voice. Boy George and Rufus Wainwright join him on this CD.

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  • "Fistful of Love"
  • Album: I Am a Bird Now
  • Artist: Antony and the Johnsons
 
The Earth Is Blue

The Earth Is Blue

  • Artist: Damon and Naomi
  • Album: The Earth Is Blue
  • Song: The Earth Is Blue

Drummer Damon Krukowski and bassist Naomi Yang were two-thirds of the 1980s dream pop group Galaxie 500 until the band broke up in 1991. The two have since been releasing CDs as a duo.

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  • "The Earth Is Blue"
  • Album: The Earth Is Blue
  • Artist: Damon and Naomi
 
Andrea Echeverri

A Eme O

  • Artist: Andrea Echeverri
  • Album: Andrea Echeverri
  • Song: A Eme O

Colombian native Andrea Echeverri got her start as the frontwoman for the band Aterciopelados and is known as a vocal feminist in her home country. This is her debut solo release, a collection of personal songs celebrating the joys of being a mother.

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  • "A Eme O"
  • Album: Andrea Echeverri
  • Artist: Andrea Echeverri
 
Solo in Rio 1959

A Brazilian in New York

  • Artist: Luiz Bonfá
  • Album: Solo in Rio 1959
  • Song: A Brazilian in New York

Luiz Bonfá was one of the leading figures in the birth of Bosa Nova. Though not as well known, his music actually predates Antonio Carlos Jobim and Joao Gilberto. Bonfá died in 2001, but his music is remembered on this new retrospective.

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  • "A Brazilian in New York"
  • Album: Solo in Rio 1959
  • Artist: Luiz Bonfá
  • Label: Smithsonian Folkways
 
Live in Paris

Di Great Insoreckshan / Mekkin Histri

  • Artist: Linton Kwesi Johnson
  • Album: Live in Paris
  • Song: Di Great Insoreckshan / Mekkin Histri

Reggae poet Linton Kwesi Johnson wrote and recorded in Britain in the late 1970s and early 1980s and is credited with inventing Dub poetry, a kind of early rap. He's only released one album since 1985 but remains an important figure in reggae.

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  • "Di Great Insoreckshan / Mekkin Histri"
  • Album: Live in Paris
  • Artist: Linton Kwesi Johnson
  • Label: Wrasse
 
Hold Me to This

No Surprises

  • Artist: Christopher O'Riley
  • Album: Hold Me to This: Christopher O'Riley Plays Radiohead
  • Song: No Surprises

This is the second collection of Radiohead songs recorded on solo piano by Christopher O'Riley. The first was featured on All Songs Considered episode 38.

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  • "No Surprises"
  • Album: Hold Me to This
  • Artist: Christopher O'Riley
  • Label: World Village
 
Avalon Sutra / As Long As I Can Hold My Breath

A Walk in the Park with Nancy

  • Artist: Harold Budd
  • Album: Avalon Sutra/As Long As I Can Hold My Breath
  • Song: A Walk in the Park with Nancy

Harold Budd is best known for his ambient collaborations with producer Brian Eno. Budd's own music is lulling, sparse and tonal. After 30 years of making music professionally, Budd says he's retiring from the business. This two-CD set will be his last.

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  • "A Walk in the Park with Nancy"
  • Album: Avalon Sutra / As Long As I Can Hold My Breath
  • Artist: Harold Budd
  • Label: Samadhi Sound UK
 

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