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

Music Reviews

Music Review: Two 'C'mon' Records from Lambchop

Nashville-based band Lambchop has two new albums out, Aw C'mon, and No, You C'mon. Both CDs rely on lush guitar rhythms and a sultry sound, combined with the unmistakable baritone of bandleader Kurt Wagner. David Greenberger has a review.

Music Review: Two 'C'mon' Records from Lambchop

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Music Review: 'Night Train to Nashville' from Various Artists

Fresh Air

Rock Historian Ed Ward on the history of African-American musicians in Nashville. He plays music from Night Train to Nashville a double CD put out by the Country Music Hall of Fame (in conjunction with a Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Show).

Music Review: 'Night Train to Nashville' from Various Artists

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Music Review: 'Franz Ferdinand' from Franz Ferdinand

Franz Ferdinand is the name not only of the assassinated Archduke of Austria, considered the trigger for World War I; Franz Ferdinand is now a Scottish band that has made it big in Britain. Reviewer Mikel Jollett thinks the reason they've succeeded is that the group bridges the distance between headphones and dance floor.

Music Review: 'Franz Ferdinand' from Franz Ferdinand

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'Classic Meets Cuba'

NPR's Liane Hansen plays "name that tune" with Fred Child, host of NPR's Performance Today, while listening to a new cd featuring Cuban treatments of classical tunes. Classic Meets Cuba by Klazz Brothers and Cuba Percussion has just been released in this country on Sony Classical.

'Classic Meets Cuba'

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Music Review: 'Regard the End' from The Willard Grant Conspiracy

The new album Regard the End is by The Willard Grant Conspiracy, a band comprising more than 30 musicians from all over the world. The players get together as their schedules permit, making music tinged with the blues, jazz and folk influences. David Greenberger has a review.

Music Review: 'Regard the End' from The Willard Grant Conspiracy

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'Foly!' from Mali's Habib Koite

Malian guitarist Habib Koite issues a new live album, Foly!. The double-disc release is an attempt to capture the flavor of Koite's live performances, which bring out the many influences in his blend of Afro-pop, from jazz to classical and rock. Music critic Banning Eyre has a review.

'Foly!' from Mali's Habib Koite

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Music Review: 'Margerine Eclipse' from Stereolab

The electronic-pop group Stereolab releases its first full-length CD since losing a core member to a cycling accident. The new album is called Margerine Eclipse. Critic Tom Moon has a review.

Music Review: 'Margerine Eclipse' from Stereolab

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Rock History: Television

Fresh Air

Rock historian Ed Ward looks at the early days of the Neon Boys who became the band Television. The "lost" third album by Television has just come out on CD — a 25-year old live broadcast, and their first two albums have just been remastered.

Rock History: Television

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Music Review: 'Cuckooland' from Robert Wyatt

Robert Wyatt releases his first CD in six years, Cuckooland. Wyatt is joined on the new CD by Brian Eno, David Gilmour and Wyatt's wife, Alfreda Benge, who co-wrote many of the songs. David Greenberger has a review.

Music Review: 'Cuckooland' from Robert Wyatt

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Music Review: 'Simple Truths' from the Holmes Brothers

The three Holmes Brothers have been playing music since 1979, a mix of gospel and blues — particularly electric blues. Their new CD, Simple Truths, features both originals and songs by Willie Nelson, Hank Williams and Bob Marley. Grammy-winning producer Craig Street, who has worked with Norah Jones and Cassandra Wilson, produced the record. Meredith Ochs has a review.

Music Review: 'Simple Truths' from the Holmes Brothers

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Joshua Bell's New 'Romance'

Joshua Bell plays a Stradivarius violin built in 1713 that's been notoriously stolen a few times. On his latest CD, the young virtuoso borrows a few great classical melodies and transposes them. He discusses his results with NPR's Liane Hansen.

Joshua Bell's New 'Romance'

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