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Music Reviews

'Shakespeare In Music & Words' Marks 400 Years Since The Bard's Death

Fresh Air

A new two-CD set features music inspired by Shakespeare as well as actors reading his work. Critic Lloyd Schwartz says any excuse to honor the master playwright is a good one.

'Shakespeare In Music & Words' Marks 400 Years Since The Bard's Death

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In The Colorist, Emiliana Torrini Has Met Her True Match

The Colorist & Emiliana Torrini's self-titled album is out now. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

In The Colorist, Emiliana Torrini Has Met Her True Match

The Icelandic singer's new collaboration with the Belgian orchestra The Colorist lends her striking voice even more immediacy.

In The Colorist, Emiliana Torrini Has Met Her True Match

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In Tehran, A Guitar And Clarinet Speak As One

The Naqsh Duo's debut album is called Narrante. Hessam Samavatian/ECM hide caption

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Hessam Samavatian/ECM

Deceptive Cadence

In Tehran, A Guitar And Clarinet Speak As One

Borrowing from Persian music and American jazz, two Iranian women come together to create a singular sound.

05Parlando

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  • Buy Featured Music

    Song
    Parlando
    Album
    Narrante
    Artist
    Naqsh Duo
    Label
    ECM
    Released
    2016

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Kacey Musgraves Invites You To Spend Christmas On An Island Paradise

Grammy-award winning country music singer Kacey Musgraves did something unusual in July. She put up twinkly lights, cut out paper snowflakes and recorded a Christmas album. Music reviewer Meredith Ochs says her album "A Very Kacey Christmas" is a twanged out, tiki-tinged celebration of the season that's kitschy without being corny.

Kacey Musgraves Invites You To Spend Christmas On An Island Paradise

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Remembering The Jazz Greats Who Died In 2016

Fresh Air

Critic Kevin Whitehead remembers the jazz notables who died this year, including vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, singer/pianist Mose Allison, pianist Paul Bley and trumpeter Paul Smoker.

Remembering The Jazz Greats Who Died In 2016

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'Bars Medley': Classic Literature Remixed Into Hip-Hop And Verse

Daveed Diggs (left) greets Rafael Casal onstage to emcee the Brave New Voices poetry slam finals at the Kennedy Center on July, 16, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Washington Post/The Washington Post/Getty Images hide caption

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Music

'Bars Medley': Classic Literature Remixed Into Hip-Hop And Verse

Hamilton's Daveed Diggs and accomplished poet and performer Rafael Casal have taken scenes from classic literature and reworked them in contemporary style. "We haven't dumbed it down," Casal says.

'Bars Medley': Classic Literature Remixed Into Hip-Hop And Verse

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Ken Tucker's Top 10 Favorite Albums Of 2016

William Bell collaborated with producer John Leventhal on an album titled This Is Where I Live. Ginette Callaway hide caption

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Ginette Callaway

Best Music Of 2016

Ken Tucker's Top 10 Favorite Albums Of 2016

Fresh Air

Fresh Air's rock critic presents his playlist for 2016. It includes big pop stars, beloved cult stars and a couple of not-yet-stars.

Ken Tucker's Top 10 Favorite Albums Of 2016

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A Critic's Year-End 'Ghost File': Books, Movies And TV Shows He Didn't Review

Alia Shawkat stars as Dory in the TBS comedy Search Party. Courtesy of Turner hide caption

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Culture

A Critic's Year-End 'Ghost File': Books, Movies And TV Shows He Didn't Review

Fresh Air

Every year, Fresh Air critic John Powers is haunted by all the terrific things he didn't get a chance to talk about on air. As 2016 winds down, he "un-haunts" himself with these six recommendations.

A Critic's Year-End 'Ghost File': Books, Movies And TV Shows He Didn't Review

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Musgraves Mixes Melancholy And Melodies On 'A Very Kacey Christmas'

Fresh Air

Musgraves' new holiday record features old classics and new novelty songs. Critic Ken Tucker calls it "the rare Christmas album that can be listened to closely ... with both pleasure and admiration."

Musgraves Mixes Melancholy And Melodies On 'A Very Kacey Christmas'

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Childish Gambino's New Album Is A Funky Left Turn

Childish Gambino's new album, "Awaken, My Love!", is out now. Ibra Ake/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Childish Gambino's New Album Is A Funky Left Turn

While he was working on Atlanta, Donald Glover was also gathering musicians for soul jam sessions. "Awaken, My Love!" is an album of '70s throwback sounds that feels thrillingly alive.

Childish Gambino's New Album Is A Funky Left Turn

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Singer Allyson Seconds Revitalizes Power-Pop On 'Little World'

Fresh Air

The second album by the California-based singer features an optimism often associated with West Coast pop. Critic Ken Tucker says Little World creates an "alternate universe of the sunniest sounds."

Singer Allyson Seconds Revitalizes Power-Pop On 'Little World'

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'Morricone 60': An Orchestra-Infused Look At A 60-Year Career

Ennio Morricone's new recording with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, Morricone 60, is out now. Jelmer de Haas/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Deceptive Cadence

'Morricone 60': An Orchestra-Infused Look At A 60-Year Career

Film composer Ennio Morricone, known for his use of harmonica and whistling on Western scores, has re-imagined his most popular sounds with help from the Czech National Symphony Orchestra.

'Morricone 60': An Orchestra-Infused Look At A 60-Year Career

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