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Ken Tucker Picks His Favorite Albums Of 2018

Tracey Thorn's album Record tops Ken Tucker's list of the best music of 2018. Edward Bishop/Courtesy of Merge Records hide caption

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Edward Bishop/Courtesy of Merge Records

Ken Tucker Picks His Favorite Albums Of 2018

Fresh Air

The range of female artists was remarkable in 2018, extending from Courtney Barnett's brooding Tell Me How You Really Feel to Cardi B's hip-hop styling on Invasion of Privacy.

Ken Tucker Picks His Favorite Albums Of 2018

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'Fresh Air' Favorites: Our Critics Pick 2018's Best Books, Movies, Music And TV

Cardi B; Ethan Hawke in First Reformed; Sandra Oh in Killing Eve. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for iHeartMedia; A24; Sophie Mutevelian/BBC America hide caption

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Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for iHeartMedia; A24; Sophie Mutevelian/BBC America

Arts & Life

'Fresh Air' Favorites: Our Critics Pick 2018's Best Books, Movies, Music And TV

Fresh Air

Find everything our critics loved this year, all in one place: Maureen Corrigan's book list, movie pairings from Justin Chang, music recommended by Ken Tucker and David Bianculli's must-see TV list.

Christmas Albums By Rodney Crowell And The Monkees Capture The Spirit Of The Season

Fresh Air

For both Crowell and the Monkees, Christmas is a time to draw up a gratitude list and put the year in perspective. The results aren't always jolly, but they're certainly sincere and passionate.

Christmas Albums By Rodney Crowell And The Monkees Capture The Spirit Of The Season

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Jazz Pianist Kenny Werner Shines As A Solo Act In 'The Space'

Fresh Air

Werner named his new album after his state of mind when he's improvising. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says Werner's piano sings with the voice of experience.

Jazz Pianist Kenny Werner Shines As A Solo Act In 'The Space'

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Lefty Frizzell Box Set Showcases The Original Recordings Of A Country Classic

Fresh Air

Though he's widely considered one of the best country-music artists of all time, Frizzell's music is not well known or widely heard today. Ken Tucker says An Article From Life aims to correct that.

Lefty Frizzell Box Set Showcases The Original Recordings Of A Country Classic

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'The Window' Showcases The Wide-Ranging Talent Of Singer Cécile McLorin Salvant

Fresh Air

McLorin Salvant's powerful voice takes center state on her new album, a duo with pianist Sullivan Fortner. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says the music on The Window is riveting.

'The Window' Showcases The Wide-Ranging Talent Of Singer Cécile McLorin Salvant

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'Down The Road Wherever,' Mark Knopfler Builds A Village

Some of the figures on Down the Road Wherever seem to want a return to some long-gone glory days, but Mark Knopfler only sketches out the what of their wistful desires, not their why. Derek Hudson/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Derek Hudson/Courtesy of the artist

'Down The Road Wherever,' Mark Knopfler Builds A Village

Everything about Down the Road Wherever feels warm and inviting; if each song is a miniature room, their display is in a cozy den that also boasts a roaring fire.

Aretha Franklin Touches The Infinite In The Long-Delayed Film 'Amazing Grace'

Aretha Franklin, pictured during a television appearance in January 1972, the same month in which the project Amazing Grace was recorded. ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images hide caption

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ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images

Music Features

Aretha Franklin Touches The Infinite In The Long-Delayed Film 'Amazing Grace'

It's been worth the long, long wait: Amazing Grace, made in January 1972, is an extraordinary document that depicts an artist at her technical, creative and spiritual heights.

'Mingus: Jazz In Detroit' Catches A Giant At A Moment Full Of Possibility

Charles Mingus poses next to a poster for his six nights of performances at the Strata Concert Gallery in Detroit in 1973. A recording of one of those nights has just been released. Sue Mingus/Courtesy of BBE Music hide caption

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Sue Mingus/Courtesy of BBE Music

Music

'Mingus: Jazz In Detroit' Catches A Giant At A Moment Full Of Possibility

A newly released recording of a 1973 concert opens a window into the volatile bassist's career at a moment of transition, but also a compelling and largely unknown chapter in Detroit jazz history.

'Interstate Gospel' Showcases Pistol Annies' Impressive Range Of Style

Fresh Air

The trio of three country-music stars who make up Pistol Annies — Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley — mix humor with righteousness and drama on their new album.

'Interstate Gospel' Showcases Pistol Annies' Impressive Range Of Style

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