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Tom Waits

Hozier: Why The Civil Rights Movement Still Resonate

Andrew Hozier-Byrne joins NPR Music's Bob Boilen in the studio to discuss the music that informed his 2018 EP, Nina Cried Power. Mulography - Anthony Mulcahy hide caption

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Mulography - Anthony Mulcahy

All Songs Considered

Hozier: Why The Civil Rights Movement Still Resonate

Irish singer/songwriter Hozier sits down with NPR Music's Bob Boilen to discuss the lifetime of listening that led to his new EP, Nina Cried Power, and what American blues means to him.

Guest DJ: Hozier On Why Music From The Civil Rights Movement Still Resonates

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A Lot Of Songs About Ice Cream

All Songs Considered hosts Bob Boilen (left) and Robin Hilton, high on ice cream sandwiches, music. Brandi Fullwood/NPR hide caption

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Brandi Fullwood/NPR

All Songs Considered

A Lot Of Songs About Ice Cream

Even though it was a rocky road, we whipped together a show sprinkled with some of our favorite ice cream tunes.

A Lot Of Songs About Ice Cream

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The Songs That Make Us Cry

The music that makes one of us emotional doesn't always make sense to others. William Lovelace/Getty Images hide caption

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All Songs Considered

The Songs That Make Us Cry

This week: results from our survey about the songs that bring tears to your eyes. Hear listener submissions, as well as personal picks from the All Songs crew.

The Songs That Make Us Cry

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The Songs That Make Us Cry

The music that makes one of us emotional doesn't always make sense to others. William Lovelace/Getty Images hide caption

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William Lovelace/Getty Images

All Songs Considered

The Songs That Make Us Cry

This week: results from our survey about the songs that bring tears to your eyes. Hear listener submissions, as well as personal picks from the All Songs crew.

The Songs That Make Us Cry

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A Braid Of Words: Guest DJ Eduardo Halfon, Author Of 'The Polish Boxer'

Guatemalan author Eduardo Halfon's most recent book, The Polish Boxer, mesmerized us. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Alt.Latino

A Braid Of Words: Guest DJ Eduardo Halfon, Author Of 'The Polish Boxer'

This week on Alt.Latino, the Guatemalan author joins us to discuss his latest book, The Polish Boxer. Hear a conversation about Guatemala, Judaism in Latin America and, of course, music.

A Braid Of Words: Guest DJ Eduardo Halfon, Author Of 'The Polish Boxer'

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New Music From Tom Waits & Keith Richards, Ra Ra Riot, Villagers, More

Clockwise from upper left: Lisa Germano, Ra Ra Riot, Tom Waits, Keith Richards, Blaudzun. Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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All Songs Considered

New Music From Tom Waits & Keith Richards, Ra Ra Riot, Villagers, More

Veteran musicians Tom Waits and Keith Richards recorded a new song for a compilation called Son Of Rogue's Gallery, and we guarantee it's not at all what you'd expect.

New Music From Tom Waits & Keith Richards, Ra Ra Riot, Villagers, More

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Review

Music Reviews

Can Scarlett Johansson Sing? Who Cares?

Esquire music critic Andy Langer previews this week's new album releases, featuring music from actress-turned-singer Scarlett Johansson, Green Day side project Foxboro Hot Tubs, bluegrass banjoist Abigail Washburn, and the Flobots.

Can Scarlett Johansson Sing? Who Cares?

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Music Interviews

Tom Waits: The Whiskey Voice Returns

Known since the 1970s for his distinctive, gravelly voice, singer-songwriter Tom Waits has since given up whiskey for family life. But echoes of his hard-living ways can still be heard in his music.

Tom Waits: The Whiskey Voice Returns

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Music News

Tom Waits Fights to Stay Out of Advertising

Singer-songwriter Tom Waits' unique vocal style and devoted following has such appeal to advertisers that they have resorted to using sound-alikes when Waits turns down requests to use his original music. That has led the artist to take legal action.

Tom Waits Fights to Stay Out of Advertising

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Music Interviews

Tom Waits Speaks On Songwriting

Fresh Air

Since the 1973 release of his first album, Closing Time, Waits has won over fans with his original songwriting and distinctive, gravelly vocal style. His newest CD is Real Gone. (This interview was originally broadcast in 2002.)

Tom Waits Speaks On Songwriting

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Review

Music Reviews

Tom Waits: 'Blood Money' and 'Alice'

Music critic David Greenberger reviews Blood Money and Alice, two new releases — with different sounds — from singer-songwriter Tom Waits. The CDs are 2002 releases on the Anti- label.

Tom Waits: 'Blood Money' and 'Alice'

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Music Interviews

John Hammond, Meet Tom Waits

Blues musician John Hammond has spent his entire career covering the works of great American songwriters like Chuck Berry, Willie Dixon and Mose Allison. For his latest project, Wicked Grin, Hammond selected twelve songs by Tom Waits. In an unconventional twist, he asked Waits himself to produce the record. Liane speaks with John Hammond about his friendship with Tom Waits and the recording sessions that yielded this CD.

John Hammond, Meet Tom Waits

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Tom Waits: How The Skid Row Balladeer Found His Voice
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Opinion

Music Interviews

Tom Waits: How The Skid Row Balladeer Found His Voice

The singer-songwriter, famous for his gravelly growl and tales of downtrodden working stiffs, will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this month.

Tom Waits: How The Skid Row Balladeer Found His Voice

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Waits: Paying Homage To Outcasts On 'Bad As Me'

Tom Waits.

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The Best Of Fresh Air 2011

Waits: Paying Homage To Outcasts On 'Bad As Me'

Fresh Air

The darkness of Tom Waits' lyrics is accentuated by the rumble and rasp of his voice, which sounded old even when he was young. On Bad As Me, Waits reflects on loneliness, life, death and heartbreak. Here, he talks to Terry Gross about performing, being a father and writing his haunting melodies.

Waits: Paying Homage To Outcasts On 'Bad As Me'

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