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Don't Feel Too Bad For Sad-Sack Bob Schneider

Burden of Proof is Bob Schneider's third album. Dan Winters/Kirtland Records hide caption

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Dan Winters/Kirtland Records

Don't Feel Too Bad For Sad-Sack Bob Schneider

Fresh Air

Schneider's Burden of Proof is a frequently beautiful, often morose, downcast album. You get the sense that, when he sings about not connecting with someone he loves, he's also singing about not connecting with a bigger audience.

Don't Feel Too Bad For Sad-Sack Bob Schneider

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After 40 Years, Mulatu Astatke Still 'Sketches' Ethio-Jazz Deftly

Mulatu Astatke is known as the father of "Ethio-jazz." His new album, Sketches of Ethiopia, is a multinational collaboration that mixes many styles but stays true to Astatke's Ethiopian roots. Alexis Maryon/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Alexis Maryon/Courtesy of the artist

After 40 Years, Mulatu Astatke Still 'Sketches' Ethio-Jazz Deftly

The composer imagined his music more than 40 years ago. Known as the father of "Ethio-jazz", Astatke has been credited with creating a new genre that blends Ethiopian music and jazz. His new album, Sketches of Ethiopia, is as complex as it is easily enjoyable — the mark of a master.

After 40 Years, Mulatu Astatke Still 'Sketches' Ethio-Jazz Deftly

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Bumpy, Bikers And The Story Behind 'Leader Of The Pack'

The Shangri-Las on the cover of the "Leader of the Pack" single. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Bumpy, Bikers And The Story Behind 'Leader Of The Pack'

Fresh Air

When record producer and songwriter George "Shadow" Morton died on Valentine's Day this year, he left behind a legacy as murky as his nickname, which he got from disappearing on long benders. A new compilation collects Morton's hits for The Shangri-Las, Iron Butterfly and Janis Ian.

Bumpy, Bikers And The Story Behind 'Leader Of The Pack'

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For Families In Crisis, A Songwriter Offers Humor And Empathy

Alastair Moock's new album, Singing Our Way Through: Songs for the World's Bravest Kids, is based on experiences with his daughter Clio, who is in remission from leukemia. Mara Brod/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Mara Brod/Courtesy of the artist

For Families In Crisis, A Songwriter Offers Humor And Empathy

After his daughter Clio was diagnosed with leukemia last summer, Boston-based singer Alastair Moock turned to music. His latest album is called Singing Our Way Through: Songs for the World's Bravest Kids.

For Families In Crisis, A Songwriter Offers Humor And Empathy

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Lucy Schwartz Is In Love With Her Own Voice, And That's OK

Lucy Schwartz. Tierney Gearon/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Tierney Gearon/Courtesy of the artist

Lucy Schwartz Is In Love With Her Own Voice, And That's OK

Fresh Air

Frequently on her new album Timekeeper, Schwartz sounds like a throwback to another era. Her singing sometimes possesses the spirit of a more lighthearted Laura Nyro, and she has a healthy fondness for The Beatles.

Lucy Schwartz Is In Love With Her Own Voice, And That's OK

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Robbie Fulks: Exhilarating And Bitter On 'Gone Away Backward'

Robbie Fulks' new album is titled Gone Away Backward. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Robbie Fulks: Exhilarating And Bitter On 'Gone Away Backward'

Fresh Air

The singer's new album is a work of great, accomplished craft about the pointlessness of crafting anything you care about, because the world is just going to ruin it on you.

Robbie Fulks: Exhilarating And Bitter On 'Gone Away Backward'

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Tom Odell: A Polarizing New Voice Shows Promise

Long Way Home is British singer Tom Odell's debut. Andrew Whitton/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Andrew Whitton/Courtesy of the artist

Tom Odell: A Polarizing New Voice Shows Promise

The British musician is a fast-rising newcomer who's drawn both high praise and vicious pans in his home country. His debut album, Long Way Down, will likely draw similar reactions in the U.S., but the 22-year-old has considerable potential.

Tom Odell: A Polarizing New Voice Shows Promise

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Educated Guesses At The 2013 Monk Competition

The 2013 finalists pose with Thelonious Monk Institute officials. Left to right: Godwin Louis, Melissa Aldana, institute honorary co-chair Billy Dee Williams, Tivon Pennicott, chairman T.S. Monk. Steve Mundinger/Courtesy of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz hide caption

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Steve Mundinger/Courtesy of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz

A Blog Supreme

Educated Guesses At The 2013 Monk Competition

The annual jazz competition for young musicians, which featured saxophonists in 2013, was a bit predictable — at least in the semifinal round. But given the particular displays of talent on stage, is that necessarily a bad thing?

The Masters At His Fingertips, Art Hodes Pays Tribute To Bessie Smith

Art Hodes performs at the Ole South in New York City circa 1946. William Gottlieb/Library of Congress via Flickr hide caption

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William Gottlieb/Library of Congress via Flickr

The Masters At His Fingertips, Art Hodes Pays Tribute To Bessie Smith

Fresh Air

The jazz pianist's powerful 1976 album I Remember Bessie conveys a profound sense of loss.

The Masters At His Fingertips, Art Hodes Pays Tribute To Bessie Smith

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The Weeknd Revels In Raw Emotion On 'Kiss Land'

Kiss Land is singer Abel Tesfaye's major-label debut as The Weeknd. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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The Weeknd Revels In Raw Emotion On 'Kiss Land'

Producer and singer-songwriter Abel Tesfaye became an Internet phenomenon in 2010, when he began self-releasing free mixtapes of woozy, haunted R&B songs. His proper major-label debut, Kiss Land, marks his official step into the limelight.

The Weeknd Revels In Raw Emotion On 'Kiss Land'

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Bob Dylan's 'Self Portrait,' Now In Vivid Color

Bob Dylan in 1970, the year he released his 10th studio album, Self Portrait. John Cohen/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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John Cohen/Courtesy of the artist

Bob Dylan's 'Self Portrait,' Now In Vivid Color

Fresh Air

A key to the ongoing allure of Dylan's music lies in its ability to stand apart from its time. A new collection of alternate takes and demos re-evaluates the critical flop that was 1970's Self Portrait.

Bob Dylan's 'Self Portrait,' Now In Vivid Color

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When Duke Flirted With The Queen

Duke Ellington, looking dapper in 1958. Evening Standard/Getty Images hide caption

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Evening Standard/Getty Images

When Duke Flirted With The Queen

Fresh Air

Duke Ellington's piece for Queen Elizabeth II is included in a new collection of late-period suites.

When Duke Flirted With The Queen

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The Dawn Of Sun Records: 15 Hours Of Blues

The Prisonaires, a band formed in a Memphis-area prison, created one of Sun Records' early hits. Courtesy of Bear Family Records hide caption

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Courtesy of Bear Family Records

The Dawn Of Sun Records: 15 Hours Of Blues

In 1950, a red-haired Alabama boy who'd learned about radio and electronics in the U.S. Army opened a recording studio to document the blues and country music he loved. A new box set compiles the beginnings of Sam Phillips' Memphis Recording Service, and the record label he would soon create.

The Dawn Of Sun Records: 15 Hours Of Blues

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