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Music Reviews

Dowland Project Blends Traditional and New Music

Tom Manoff reviews the most recent release from John Potter, a former member of the vocal group the Hilliard Ensemble That group performed 17th-century music and blending it with old and new instruments. John Potter's latest release is Care-Charming Sleep, as part of the Dowland Project.

Dowland Project Blends Traditional and New Music

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Singer John Martyn's 'On the Cobbles'

John Martyn is best known as a 1970s singer and songwriter with a great deep voice and strident guitar playing. He mixed jazz with folk, was a friend and contemporary of Nick Drake, and wrote a song called "May You Never," later made famous by guitarist Eric Clapton. Our reviewer Chris Nickson says that the latest John Martyn record, On The Cobbles, is his strongest record in decades. It comes after a long illness and the help of some loving and loyal friends and musicians.

Singer John Martyn's 'On the Cobbles'

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'Beautiful Dreamer: the Songs of Stephen Foster'

Fresh Air

Music critic Milo Miles reviews Beautiful Dreamer: the Songs of Stephen Foster, featuring performances by many contemporary artists, including John Prine, Yo Yo Ma and Mavis Staples.

'Beautiful Dreamer: the Songs of Stephen Foster'

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Duke Ellington Albums Reissued on CD

Fresh Air

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews new reissues of Duke Ellington recordings between 1950 and 1961: Blues in Orbit, Masterpieces By Ellington, Piano in the Background, and Piano in the Foreground.

Duke Ellington Albums Reissued on CD

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CD Review: Chris Stamey's 'Travels in the South'

Fresh Air

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Travels in the South, the new album from North-Carolina based singer-songwriter Chris Stamey, formerly of the dBÂ’s and the Sneakers.

CD Review: Chris Stamey's 'Travels in the South'

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'Genius' Duets from Ray Charles Hits Shelves

The CD that Ray Charles spent much of the last two years of his life working on is released. Called Genius Loves Company the CD features duets with Norah Jones, Van Morrison and BB King, among others. NPR's Tom Moon has a review.

'Genius' Duets from Ray Charles Hits Shelves

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Musicians' New CDs Bring Rebirth of Soul

Reviewer Tom Terrell takes a look at three artists who are producing soul music reminiscent of the 1970s. They are the British band Sweetback, and the American singers Angie Stone and Ricky Fante. Sweetback's album is titled Stage 2, Angie Stone's new album is Stoned Love, and Fante's album is Rewind.

Musicians' New CDs Bring Rebirth of Soul

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