Arts & Life '9' from Damien Rice Follows a New Path December 29, 2006 • Irish singer/songwriter Damien Rice won fans around the globe with his debut CD, simply titled O. In the four years since then, Rice has teased his adoring fans with a few small releases. But he has finally released a second studio album, 9. '9' from Damien Rice Follows a New Path Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6697854/6697855" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'9' from Damien Rice Follows a New Path Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6697854/6697855" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Studio Sessions Rahim Al Haj's Odyssey with the Oud December 23, 2006 • The ancient stringed instrument has taken the Iraqi musician from Baghdad to New Mexico. He talks about his journey and his new CD, When the Soul Is Settled: Music of Iraq. Rahim Al Haj's Odyssey with the Oud Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6668452/6668481" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Memorable Music: Great Performances of 2006 December 22, 2006 • NPR and select stations hosted dozens of live concerts in 2006, with stunning performances by some of the hottest acts on tour. Hear a mix of the most memorable shows.
Shadow Classics The 'Overlooked 11' of 2006 December 20, 2006 • Given the proliferation of year-end Top 10 lists, it seems natural that Shadow Classics — which gives shelter to under-appreciated music — would feature its own list of 2006 recordings likely to become Shadow Classics down the line. Don't let these gems go unnoticed.
World Cafe Forro in the Dark: Optimistic and Celebratory XPN December 11, 2006 • Forro In The Dark gets its name from a type of dance and music that has been popular in northeastern Brazil for more than 100 years. The band doesn't conform to traditional limitations, but instead takes the lively and emotional genre to new heights by drawing on influences ranging from Enrique Iglesias to Beck. Forro in the Dark: Optimistic and Celebratory Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6609950/6610326" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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World Cafe Rodrigo y Gabriela: Elegant and Rollicking XPN December 11, 2006 • The music of Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero attempts to reconcile their love of heavy metal music with their traditional style of Mexican guitar playing. Their self-titled debut combines Sanchez's intricate fingerpicking with Quintero's smooth melodic style — and works wonderfully. Rodrigo y Gabriela: Elegant and Rollicking Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6412458/6610252" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Best CDs of 2006 NPR Listeners Pick the Best CDs of 2006 December 7, 2006 • Find out the number one album of the year as selected by NPR listeners. Count down the top ten CDs with All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen as he chats with reviewers Robert Christgau, Will Hermes, Meredith Ochs and John Richards.
Shadow Classics Infectious, Philly-Style Soul, by Way of Jamaica December 6, 2006 • A beguiling and visionary blend of reggae, soul and pop, Jackie Mittoo's Wishbone didn't connect commercially upon its release. Now, more than 30 years and countless stylistic hybrids later, the disc sounds like pure genius — one of the boldest and most cohesive expansions of Jamaican pop ever recorded.
Music Interviews Israeli Musicians Find Unity in Cultural Fusion December 6, 2006 • The Israeli group, the Idan Raichel Project, blends the music of the country's rich immigrant community with the traditional sounds of the nation. The unique mixture of Ethiopian, Arab and native Israeli music has made them stars in Israel, and paved the way for their American debut. Israeli Musicians Find Unity in Cultural Fusion Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6586871/6586872" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Review Arts & Life The Music of Marisa Monte Fresh Air December 6, 2006 • Milo Miles talks about the music of Brazilian singer, songwriter, and bandleader Marisa Monte. Monte produces her own records, organizes bands and shapes every aspect of her career. She released a pair of albums earlier this year, Universo ao Meu Redor, and Infinito Particular. The Music of Marisa Monte Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6586543/6586544" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Music My Brother, the Rock Star in Nepal November 28, 2006 • One of the most popular recording artists in Nepal is Gajab Bahadur Gurung Lama, which translates in English to "strange and wonderful thing." But the artist is also known as Josh Brody, an American guy who learned the language by singing traditional Nepali folk songs. My Brother, the Rock Star in Nepal Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6546284/6546386" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Review Director's Cuts Holiday Gift Picks for 2006 November 26, 2006 • Ned Wharton, musical director for Weekend Edition Sunday, offers a collection of recordings offbeat enough to surprise your favorite music lover this holiday season. Holiday Gift Picks for 2006 Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6527803/6540334" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Review Song Of The Day Radiohead Gets a Cuban-Style Makeover November 21, 2006 • On the new compilation Rhythms Del Mundo: Cuba, modern rock songs are either remixed Cuban-style or re-imagined entirely. El Lele de Los Van Van augments Radiohead's "High and Dry" with soft trumpet and acoustic piano over a slowly paced Afro-Latin rhythm.
Music Sanjay Mishra: A Cross-Cultural Exploration in Music November 19, 2006 • Many cultures incorporate the guitar into their musical heritages, but the instrument is unheard of in traditional Indian music. Guitarist Sanjay Mishra demonstrates how he coaxes Eastern sounds from a Western instrument. Sanjay Mishra: A Cross-Cultural Exploration in Music Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6502991/6508311" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Review Music Reviews Throat Singing And Rock, By Way Of Tuva November 15, 2006 • In the Central Asian country of Tuva, Albert Kuvezin leads the band Yat-Kha, who mix traditional Tuvan throat singing with the spirit of rock. Recuperating from an illness, Kuvezin went through the music he loved and found the inspiration for the CD Re-Covers, an album of cover songs that have a distinctly Tuvan twist. Throat Singing And Rock, By Way Of Tuva Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6493062/6493063" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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