Marc Silver Marc Silver edits NPR's global health blog.
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Marc Silver

Friday

Legendary guitarist Warren Haynes practically ignores his guitar and instead pours out his heart in "Save Me." Stewart O'Shields hide caption

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Stewart O'Shields

'Save Me' by Warren Haynes

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Thursday

In "Warning Signs," Eilen Jewell has a sweet and clear voice with a killer instinct lurking beneath the shiny surface. Liz Linder hide caption

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Liz Linder

'Warning Signs' by Eilen Jewell

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Tuesday

From a 1973 album that was never released, psychedelic rocker Arthur Lee offers a bit of homespun philosophy in "Beep Beep." Herbert Worthington hide caption

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Herbert Worthington

'Beep Beep' by Arthur Lee

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Tuesday

Jason Isbell and his band, The 400 Unit, give "Never Could Believe" a swinging, defiant mood. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

'Never Could Believe' by Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit

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Thursday

Marcia Ball infuses "Everybody's Looking for the Same Thing" with Texas twang and a bluesy, rollicking piano style. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

'Everybody's Looking for the Same Thing' by Marcia Ball

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Friday

With Jack White's assistance, Wanda Jackson sings a timeless lover's lament in "Like a Baby." Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

'Like a Baby' by Wanda Jackson

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Monday

Ray Charles' gritty voice takes a trifle of a tune and transforms "Isn't It Wonderful" into an intimate and enticing lover's plea. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

'Isn't It Wonderful' by Ray Charles

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Wednesday

The young Hawaiian ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro infuses a rock staple with a moment of tropical island Zen. Danny Clinch/Courtesy of Shore Fire Media hide caption

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Danny Clinch/Courtesy of Shore Fire Media

'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Jake Shimabukuro

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Thursday

"I Want to Thank You" shows off the heavenly exuberance that helped make Billy Preston a star in the late '60s. Apple Corps Ltd. hide caption

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Apple Corps Ltd.

'I Want to Thank You' by Billy Preston

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Wednesday

In "Waltz," Ian Axel's voice possesses the sweetness of youth, the stubbornness of a teenager and the swagger of a rock star. Davey Wilson/Courtesy of Shore Fire Media hide caption

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Davey Wilson/Courtesy of Shore Fire Media

'Waltz' by Ian Axel

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Monday

In "Teenage Pregnancy," the genre-less band Cake addresses its topic using only the emotional tug of a haunting melody. Robert McKnight/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Robert McKnight/Courtesy of the artist

'Teenage Pregnancy' by Cake

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Wednesday

Working with reggae legend Toots Hibbert, JJ Grey makes "The Sweetest Thing" sound both gritty and lilting. Tobin Voggesser hide caption

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Tobin Voggesser

'The Sweetest Thing' by JJ Grey and Mofro

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Wednesday

"Losing You" is a prime example of the power Mavis Staples still holds in her vocal cords. courtesy of the artist hide caption

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courtesy of the artist

Monday

OMD's "soul music" isn't just electronic. Thanks to an Aretha Franklin sample, it's electrifying. Mark McNulty hide caption

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Mark McNulty

'Save Me' by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

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Tuesday

Dr. John's "Change of Heart" is a self-written exemplar of classic rhythm and blues with a jaunty New Orleans twist. James Demaria Productions hide caption

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James Demaria Productions