Search results for

Alvin is a Grammy-winning guitarist, singer and songwriter whose interpretation of roots music has won countless fans for its raw yet dignified power. For more than 25 years, he's been cooking up batches of folksy songs that range from rockabilly to punk to blues. His latest project, Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women, is yet another step in yet another direction.

Musicians Johan Karlberg and Etienne Tron first met Malawi-born Esau Mwamwaya running a junk shop outside their studio. The two were eager to befriend Mwamwaya, in part because they thought he was an African drummer. Turns out, he was much more. The three have formed a group called The Very Best and released Warm Heart of Africa in October.

Arriving in New York at 17, Tuelo went on to sing backup vocals for iconic artists, among them Hugh Masekela, Angelique Kidjo and Paul Simon. Today, she is finally releasing an album all her own.

After eight years translating for Saddam Hussein, Esho Joseph fled the country. Despite his status, he was warned he was marked for execution. Esho and his wife defected. For 12 years, he waited for the chance to return as a free man to Iraq. Last fall, NPR's Jacki Lyden accompanied him on the trip home.

There Will Be Blood, a new film starring Daniel Day-Lewis, is a morality play set in the early days of California's oil boom. It involves the unholy trinity of oil, money and religion.

The Guardian's U.S. editor in chief, Janine Gibson, discusses how the news organization came up with the idea to let visitors to its website see news about the royal baby or not. You can click on "Royalist" or "Republican." (In the U.S., the choice is "Royalist" or "Not a royalist.") We muse on what this means.

After six generations, the Jones family was in danger of losing their Ohio farm. But the growing appetite for specialty produce has helped turn their fortunes around. Now they sell to renowned chefs.

Singer Patti Scialfa's new CD was a long time coming — her previous solo release was in 1993. But she says husband Bruce Springsteen offered this encouragement: "The record will tell you when it's complete."

Neil Innes is a singer and songwriter who also was the guiding musical force behind the comedy team Monty Python. His humorous songs carry that peculiar British blend of absurdity and intelligence. Music journalist Ashley Kahn caught up with Innes on his recent American tour.

Producer David Harvey's new bluegrass album pays tribute to British '70s pop icons The Moody Blues. Bluegrass stars from Tim O'Brien and Alison Krauss to Stuart Duncan and Aubrey Haynie interpret "I'm Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band" and "Nights in White Satin," among others. Hear NPR's Steve Munro.