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Music Reviews

Andy Shauf Takes Risks On A Refreshing New Concept Album, 'Neon Skyline'

Fresh Air

The Canadian singer-songwriter wrote, produced and performed all 11 songs on his new album, presenting himself as a lonely first-person narrator pining over an ex-girlfriend.

Andy Shauf Takes Risks On A Refreshing New Concept Album, 'Neon Skyline'

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The Georgia Satellites: A Southern Rock Band Lost To The MTV Era

(L-R) Rick Richards, Bruce Smith and Fred McNeal of The Georgia Satellites perform onstage in 2018. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images hide caption

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One-Hit Wonders / Second-Best Songs

The Georgia Satellites: A Southern Rock Band Lost To The MTV Era

For NPR's One-Hit Wonders / Second-Best Songs series, Rolling Stone's Anthony DeCurtis recommends "Battleship Chains" by The Georgia Satellites, known for "Keep Your Hands to Yourself."

The Georgia Satellites: A Southern Rock Band Lost To The MTV Era

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Marcus King Turns Toward Blue-Eyed Soul On The Solo Album 'El Dorado'

Fresh Air

The 23-year-old Southern blues rocker strikes out on his own with a soulful new album produced Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. The record is a real beauty — and a turning-point for King.

Marcus King Turns Toward Blue-Eyed Soul On The Solo Album 'El Dorado'

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Underground Railroad: A Conductor And Passengers Documented In Music

William Still (1821-1902), a conductor on the Underground Railroad who helped nearly 800 enslaved African Americans to freedom. Naxos American Classics hide caption

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Naxos American Classics

Deceptive Cadence

Underground Railroad: A Conductor And Passengers Documented In Music

When it comes to the Underground Railroad, everyone knows Harriet Tubman. But a new oratorio sheds light on a different, key figure named William Still.

Underground Railroad: A Conductor And Passengers Documented In Music

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Janis Ian Was More Than Just A Teenager

After hit song "At Seventeen," singer-songwriter Janis Ian stepped away from her musical success for over 10 years, which is why Ann Powers thinks she's a bit forgotten. Shawn Baldwin/AP hide caption

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One-Hit Wonders / Second-Best Songs

Janis Ian Was More Than Just A Teenager

As part of NPR's series "One-Hit Wonders / Second-Best Songs," NPR Music's Ann Powers nominates "Jesse" by Janis Ian. She's known mostly for her 1975 hit "At Seventeen."

Janis Ian Was More Than Just A Teenager

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New Reissue From Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis And Johnny Griffin Is A Love Letter To Fans

Fresh Air

In the early 1960s, saxophonists Davis and Griffin co-led a jumping two-tenor band. A live recording of their 1962 Seattle show is now available on Ow! Live at the Penthouse.

New Reissue From Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis And Johnny Griffin Is A Love Letter To Fans

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On 'BUBBA,' Kaytranada Captures Dance Music's Central Tenet

On his latest album, DJ and producer Kaytranada pays his sonic respects to the Black forefathers of dance music. Brad Barket/Getty Images hide caption

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On 'BUBBA,' Kaytranada Captures Dance Music's Central Tenet

BUBBA sounds like the hazy, dream-like moments before last call; the club is packed and everyone is transfixed in a sort of effortless, collective rhythm.

On 'BUBBA,' Kaytranada Captures Dance Music's Central Tenet

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With 'Even Better,' Michael Formanek's Very Practical Trio Lives Up To Its Name

Fresh Air

Though their improvising gets rowdy at times, the Very Practical Trio players don't neglect the tune when they jam. Kevin Whitehead says the ensemble's new album has a nice give and take.

With 'Even Better,' Michael Formanek's Very Practical Trio Lives Up To Its Name

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Tyler Childers' 'Country Squire' Is Among The Best Country Albums Of 2019

Fresh Air

Blessed with a Kentucky croon and a gift for storytelling, Childers offers a slice of country life on his recent album, with songs about marriage, life on the road and the school bus he took as a kid.

Tyler Childers' 'Country Squire' Is Among The Best Country Albums Of 2019

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A Critic Returns To The Books, TV, Music And Movies He Didn't Get To In 2019

Merritt Wever and Toni Collette play two detectives investigating a series of sexual assaults in the Netflix show Unbelievable. Beth Dubber/Netflix hide caption

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Beth Dubber/Netflix

Pop Culture

A Critic Returns To The Books, TV, Music And Movies He Didn't Get To In 2019

Fresh Air

Few things haunt a critic more than loving something and not being able to share it. This year, Fresh Air critic John Powers circles back to Unbelievable, Atlantics, Where the Light Falls and more.

A Critic Returns To The Books, TV, Music And Movies He Didn't Get To In 2019

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Todd Marcus Tames The Raucous Bass Clarinet On 'Trio+'

Fresh Air

Marcus gets a clean, unfettered sound from both his band and his instrument on his new album. Trio+ is crisp, tight and varied — with more good melodies than we can dip into.

Todd Marcus Tames The Raucous Bass Clarinet On 'Trio+'

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Women Dominated 2019: Ken Tucker Picks His Top 10 Albums Of The Year

On her new album, Lana Del Rey (shown here in 2018) is at her most instantly compelling, fully committed to the messy alignments upon which her art is built. Darren Gerrish/BFC/Getty Images hide caption

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Women Dominated 2019: Ken Tucker Picks His Top 10 Albums Of The Year

Fresh Air

Lana Del Rey's Norman F****** Rockwell! topped Tucker's list of the best albums of the year, with Lizzo and Billie Eilish running a close second and third.

Women Dominated 2019: Ken Tucker Picks His Top 10 Albums Of The Year

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Hootie & The Blowfish Comeback Album Brings The Band Into The 21st Century

Fresh Air

Singer Darius Rucker and his band have released their first new record in more than a decade. Imperfect Circle is a well-made and frequently thoughtful album, enhanced by Rucker's warm, buttery tones.

Hootie & The Blowfish Comeback Album Brings The Band Into The 21st Century

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'Land of 1000 Dances' Chronicles The History Of Rampart Records Label

Rampart Records documented L.A.'s Eastside Sound during a fertile period of interracial collaboration from the 1960s through the early 1990s. Now, some of that music has been reissued.

'Land of 1000 Dances' Chronicles The History Of Rampart Records Label

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