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Music Reviews

Rock historian Ed Ward revisits the Beatles' puzzling Christmas records

Fresh Air

Ward, who died May 3, 2021, spoke in 1992 about a series of Christmas singles the Beatles made in the '60s. If you were a member of their fan club, you got one each year.

Rock historian Ed Ward revisits the Beatles' puzzling Christmas records

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This year's best songs come from some of the youngest — and oldest — artists

Olivia Rodrigo performs at the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas on Sept. 18, 2021. Mat Hayward/Getty Images for iHeartMedia hide caption

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Mat Hayward/Getty Images for iHeartMedia

This year's best songs come from some of the youngest — and oldest — artists

Fresh Air

From 18-year-old Olivia Rodrigo to 83-year-old Peter Stampfel, critic Ken Tucker says the music he most enjoyed in 2021 was recorded by artists who were either very young or quite old.

This year's best songs come from some of the youngest — and oldest — artists

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Wayne Shorter and esperanza spalding crack open the old world in new opera

Iphigenia, played by esperanza spalding, prepares for her sacrifice. From Wayne Shorter and spalding's opera, ...(Iphigenia). Jon Fine/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jon Fine/Courtesy of the artist

Music Features

Wayne Shorter and esperanza spalding crack open the old world in new opera

WBGO

The pair took a close look at the subtexts of Euripides' sad, epic tale of Iphigenia — agency, testosterone, violence, faith — and, through a suite of new music, hold them up to the light.

'30' is a complicated album that shows just how broad Adele's appeal is

Fresh Air

Adele is a rare thing right now: an artist whose appeal cuts across genres and generations. Her new album about divorce features thrilling, exhilarating songs about being absolutely miserable.

'30' is a complicated album that shows just how broad Adele's appeal is

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Pianist Craig Taborn practices the art of instant composing on 'Shadow Plays'

Fresh Air

Taborn is one the most inventive and resourceful pianists in improvised music today. He has a new solo album — his first in a decade — and, like the previous one, it's a stunner.

Pianist Craig Taborn practices the art of instant composing on 'Shadow Plays'

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The long and winding Beatles docuseries will enchant die-hard and casual fans

The Beatles: Get Back concludes with the band's legendary 1969 rooftop concert. Courtesy Apple Corps Ltd. / Disney + hide caption

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Courtesy Apple Corps Ltd. / Disney +

TV Reviews

The long and winding Beatles docuseries will enchant die-hard and casual fans

Fresh Air

The new three-part Disney+ docuseries Get Back is a true treasure. It offers an inside look at The Beatles' creative process, as well as amazing footage from their legendary rooftop concert.

The long and winding Beatles docuseries will enchant die-hard and casual fans

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The fearless musical philosophy of Sofia Gubaidulina

A new album marks the 90th birthday of Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina. Peter Hundert /Deutsche Grammophon hide caption

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Peter Hundert /Deutsche Grammophon

Deceptive Cadence

The fearless musical philosophy of Sofia Gubaidulina

A new album, marking the Russian composer's 90th birthday, is packed with probing works for huge symphonic forces.

The fearless musical philosophy of Sofia Gubaidulina

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On '30,' Adele walks among us

Adele sings in front of Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles during a televised concert to promote her fourth album, 30, which chronicles the aftermath of her divorce in ways that take subtle chances with the star's signature cathartic style. Cliff Lipson/Getty Images hide caption

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Editors' Picks

On '30,' Adele walks among us

The star who commands a planetary position in the galaxy of pop chronicles divorce and soul-searching recovery on an album that thrillingly redefines her artistry by bringing her gently down to earth.

Jackson+Sellers bring passion and grittiness to 'Breaking Point'

Fresh Air

Jade Jackson and Aubrie Sellers are singer-songwriters who each had a solo career before getting together. Their debut album showcases a new sound that neither of them had ever achieved individually.

Jackson+Sellers bring passion and grittiness to 'Breaking Point'

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Pop Culture

Spotify's 'Music + Talk' shows capture the magic of early podcasts

Fresh Air

Critic Nick Quah says the streaming giant's foray into the music podcast field has been pleasantly experimental, with casual, compelling shows that sound lo-fi and intimate.

Spotify's 'Music + Talk' shows capture the magic of early podcasts

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Gonzalo Rubalcaba's trio finds that swinging sweet spot on 'Skyline'

Fresh Air

The Cuban piano whiz teams up with American jazz greats Jack DeJohnette and Ron Carter on a new album. Skyline is three masters enjoying each other's company, with us listeners as lucky eavesdroppers.

Gonzalo Rubalcaba's trio finds that swinging sweet spot on 'Skyline'

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'Feel Flows' captures the Beach Boys at the peak of their artistry

Fresh Air

A new 5-disc reissue of the 1970 and 1971 albums Sunflower and Surf's Up reveals the Beach Boys at a crossroads, having moved beyond surf-music pop hits, and shooting for more mainstream success.

'Feel Flows' captures the Beach Boys at the peak of their artistry

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