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World Cafe WXPN in Philadelphia and host Raina Douris present interviews and performances with today's essential and emerging artists.

World Cafe

Essential and Emerging Artists
Sting's 'The Bridge' connects phases of his life and career

Sting Eric Ryan Anderson/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Eric Ryan Anderson/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Sting's 'The Bridge' connects phases of his life and career

XPN

In this session, Sting discusses his new album and the latest stage of his career.

 /npr/wc/2022/01/20220127_wc_sting

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The Whitmore Sisters, live at Americana Fest in Nashville

The Whitmore Sisters Vanessa Dingwell/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Vanessa Dingwell/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

The Whitmore Sisters, live at Americana Fest in Nashville

XPN

The duo teamed up during quarantine and recorded their first album together – the newly released Ghost Stories.

The Whitmore Sisters on World Cafe

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The Culture Corner: What was David Bowie up to in Philly in the '70s?

David Bowie poses for a portrait in 1976. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Studio Sessions

The Culture Corner: What was David Bowie up to in Philly in the '70s?

XPN

You may know about Bowie's time in New York City and Berlin. But do you know about his connection to Philadelphia? In this episode of The Culture Corner, correspondent John Morrison explains.

World Cafe Culture Corner: David Bowie in Philadelphia

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Neal Francis finds salvation recording 'In Plain Sight' inside a Chicago church

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Liina Raud/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Neal Francis finds salvation recording 'In Plain Sight' inside a Chicago church

XPN

How did the singer-songwriter end up living in a church parsonage? He tells the story in this World Cafe session, and perform songs from his new album.

Neal Francis on World Cafe

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The artists who inspired Finneas' debut solo album 'Optimist' may surprise you

Finneas Luke Fenstermaker/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Luke Fenstermaker/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

The artists who inspired Finneas' debut solo album 'Optimist' may surprise you

XPN

It's an introspective, direct album with heartfelt lyrics and, of course, impeccable production.

FINNEAS on World Cafe

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Sierra Ferrell seems to have always known where she was headed

Sierra Ferrell performs live at the 2021 XPoNential Music Festival Megan Matuzak/WXPN hide caption

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Megan Matuzak/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Sierra Ferrell seems to have always known where she was headed

XPN

In this session, Sierra Ferrell talks about her life and adventures so far. Plus, you'll hear live recordings of her performances from last years XPoNential Music Festival.

Seirra Ferrell on World Cafe

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Tom Morello's wildly eclectic Atlas Underground

Tom Morello Tracis Shinn /Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Tracis Shinn /Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Tom Morello's wildly eclectic Atlas Underground

XPN

Fire and Flood, features appearances by Nathaniel Rateliff, Chris Stapleton, X Ambassadors, Phantogram, Eddie Vedder and Bruce Springsteen.

21:43

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Elvis Costello is still trying to grow up

Elvis Costello Lens O'Toole/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Lens O'Toole/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Elvis Costello is still trying to grow up

XPN

The phrase "young at heart" is a cliché, but when it comes to Elvis Costello, it really does apply. The Boy Named If is a trip through the inner life of a young person growing up full of imagination and self-discovery.

Elvis Costello on World Cafe

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Aimee Mann adapts songs for 'Girl, Interrupted' on stage

Aimee Mann Sheryl Nields/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Sheryl Nields/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Aimee Mann adapts songs for 'Girl, Interrupted' on stage

XPN

Mann was tapped to write songs for a stage adaptation of Susanna Kaysen's memoir, and released several of the songs on her album Queens of the Summer Hotel.

Aimee Mann on World Cafe

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The pandemic has been rich with inspiration for Tré Burt

Tré Burt Allan Baker/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Allan Baker/Courtesy of the artist

WC30

The pandemic has been rich with inspiration for Tré Burt

XPN

Burt's latest album, You, Yeah, You, builds on his previous work as his songwriting grows ever more sophisticated.

Tré Burt on World Cafe

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Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon reflects on the 'Future Past'

Duran Duran John Swannell/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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John Swannell/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon reflects on the 'Future Past'

XPN

The band''s fifteenth studio album, Future Past, has all the familiar sonic signatures — while exploring the contours of modern production.

Duran Duran on World Cafe

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A conversation with the awe-inspiring Pastor T. L. Barrett

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Numero Group/Courtest of the artist

Studio Sessions

A conversation with the awe-inspiring Pastor T. L. Barrett

XPN

In this session, Pastor T. L. Barrett joins me for an inspiring conversation on the incredible music of his Youth For Christ Choir, first released 50 years ago.

Pastor T. L. Barrett on World Cafe

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On 'Valentine,' Snail Mail returns to pin the heart's brass tacks

Snail Mail Tina Tyrell/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Tina Tyrell/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

On 'Valentine,' Snail Mail returns to pin the heart's brass tacks

XPN

World Cafe gets up close and personal with Snail Mail's Lindsey Jordan in this mini-concert from upstate New York, performing songs from her latest album Valentine.

Snail Mail on World Cafe

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Norah Jones captures the nostalgia and magic of Christmas

Norah Jones Ka Irlin/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Ka Irlin/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN

Norah Jones captures the nostalgia and magic of Christmas

Jones' very first solo Christmas album is a mix of originals and covers, some traditional and some more unexpected.

Norah Jones on World Cafe

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Hiss Golden Messenger's 'O Come All Ye Faithful' is full of bittersweet hope

Hiss Golden Messenger performs live for World Cafe John Vettese/WXPN hide caption

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John Vettese/WXPN

Studio Sessions

Hiss Golden Messenger's 'O Come All Ye Faithful' is full of bittersweet hope

XPN

MC Taylor acknowledges that this time of year isn't all jingle bells and snowmen and flying reindeer.

Hiss Golden Messenger on World Cafe

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Tracing Rev. James Cleveland's historic contributions to gospel

Rev. James Cleveland Savoy Record/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Savoy Record/Courtesy of the artist

Studio Sessions

Tracing Rev. James Cleveland's historic contributions to gospel

XPN

Today we get an opportunity to learn more about Rev. Cleveland, a musical giant, thanks to our guest Robert Marovich, gospel historian and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Gospel Music.

Robert Marovich on World Cafe

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