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Music Reviews Music reviews of new albums in pop, rock, folk, jazz, blues, classical, world, and hip-hop.

Music reviews

Jay Farrar

Jay Farrar has been in two bands — Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt — popular for mixing rock and country music. Now Jay Farrar has a solo recording that continues to explore the alternative country sound. Reviewer Meredith Ochs says the new CD, Sebastopol, combines some rock music studio tricks with lyrics that take a microscope to the roadsides of America. (4:30) The CD is Sebastopol by Jay Farrar, on Artemis Records. See http://www.artemisrecords.com and http://www.jayfarrar.net.

Jay Farrar

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Miles Davis' 'In a Silent Way'

David Greenberger reviews The Complete 'In a Silent Way' Sessions, by Miles Davis. In 1969, Miles Davis released In a Silent Way, a 38-minute LP. Now previously unreleased sets are being offered, totaling nearly four hours of music. Greenberger says this music represents an important, brief period in Davis' evolution as a jazz performer and producer.

Miles Davis' 'In a Silent Way'

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Music Interviews

Narco-Corrido Music

NPR's Renee Montagne talks with Elijah Wald. He's a musician who's spent years researching Mexican "narco-corrido" music — ballads made from combining waltzes with border music that celebrate the lifestyle of borderland drug traffickers.

Narco-Corrido Music

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Music

Bach's Hidden Melodies

A new CD called Morimurfeatures music by J.S. Bach, performed by violinist Christoph Poppen and the voices of the Hilliard Ensemble. The Chaconne from Bach's Partita in D is performed with solo violin, along with various church chorales. Then the Chaconne is performed again, this time with the singers bringing out secret melodies. Critic Tom Manoff says hearing the hidden layers beneath the music made him appreciate the genius of Bach even more.

Bach's Hidden Melodies

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Leonard Cohen Returns

The brooding singer of sad and lonely songs is back. Leonard Cohen has just released his first new studio recording in 9 years. This record finds him still thinking about relationships gone wrong and romance but with some thoughtful distance perhaps attained through his 5 recent years at a Zen retreat. Our critic Tom Moon reviews Ten New Songs by Leonard Cohen, with music by Sharon Robinson. The CD is on Columbia records.

Leonard Cohen Returns

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