Jan 5th, 2009 · We start the new year with a new mix, featuring an exclusive preview of Andrew Bird's latest album, Noble Beast. The classically trained violinist and singer performs a quirky mix of whistled melodies, Gypsy ballads, folk and art-rock. We've got the song "Oh No" here, but you can also hear the entire album as part of our "first listen" series. Also on the show: classic folk-rock singer Benjy Ferree, the Afro-funk rhythms of Chopteeth, an eclectic mixtape from Malawi-born singer Esau Mwamwaya, the haunting guitars of Begushkin, and the jazz trio Bad Plus covers the music of Pink Floyd.
Keywords: whistle · music · Africans · Jazz · Singer · Malawi · songs · Preview · album · folk · melodies · trio
Jan 1st, 2009 · It's the first day of 2009, and Melissa Block has a preview of some events and trends expected for this year. Vic Fischer, who worked on Alaska's state constitution a half-century ago, talks with Block about the celebration of 50 years of statehood. Park ranger Helen McKenna Uff says it's going to be a big year at the Edgar Allan Poe Historical Site in Philadelphia as Poe fans celebrate the poet and writer's 200th birthday. Lynn Dornblaser of the global research firm Mintel shares her top five flavors for 2009: lavender, cactus, persimmon, masala and chimichurri. Finally, Nicholas Staddon of Monrovia Co. — a leading producer of plants in the U.S. — shares his garden pick for 2009. He says small is big this year: Look out for the Baby Pete Agapanthus.
Keywords: global · celebration · Melissa Block · birthday · research · Alaska · Writer · constitution · Preview · Philadelphia · 2009 · poet
Dec 30th, 2008 · This year at NPR Music ends the way the previous 29 have for NPR and its jazz partner WBGO: with live jazz, all night long. Toast of the Nation features jazz groups welcoming the new year across the country, from New York to Los Angeles, Boston to New Orleans. Here's a preview of the night's artists.
Keywords: national · country · New Orleans · New York · Los Angeles · artists · partners · Jazz · Boston · Preview · NPR Music · WBGO
Nov 27th, 2008 · Football is almost as big a Thanksgiving Day tradition as turkey. Three games are played today: Tennessee at Detroit, Seattle at Dallas and Arizona at Philadelphia. NPR's Mike Pesca and Steve Inskeep preview the games.
Keywords: Turkey · Steve Inskeep · Detroit · football · Traditional · Tennessee · holiday · Preview · Philadelphia · Seattle · Dallas · Thanksgiving Day
Nov 21st, 2008 · It's a strange time for a big party — especially for the auto industry. Still, the show must go on. We attended a preview of the L.A. Auto Show and found a capsule view of the problems car makers are facing in the United States — one part financial disaster, one part environmental enthusiasm with a splash of fur.
Keywords: L.A · financial · United States · industry · Disaster · auto · environmental · Strange · Capsule · Preview · Auto Show
Nov 18th, 2008 · Along with Fleet Foxes and the Moondoggies, The Maldives' members belong to a thriving Seattle roots-music scene. With nine people in its lineup, it's one of the area's biggest bands in more ways than one. The Maldives recently crammed into KEXP's studios to preview new material.
Keywords: country · music · Preview · Seattle · studio · lineup · KEXP · Maldives · Fleet Foxes · Moondoggies
Nov 17th, 2008 · A spectacular live recording of Neil Young performing in 1968, made just before the release of his very first solo album, is about to be made available for the first time ever. Sugar Mountain won't be out until December, but we've got the title track for you here as a sneak preview. We've also got an exclusive preview of new music from Sweden's Loney, Dear. The new album, Dear John, is due out in January, but you can hear the track "Airport Surroundings" now.
Keywords: mountains · music · John · Sweden · Preview · 1968 · album · Neil Young · neil · spectacular · Loney · emDear
Nov 14th, 2008 · When The Fireman released its 1993 debut (the instrumental dance and electronica mix Strawberries Oceans Ships Forest), the band's identity was a mystery. U.K. music magazine Melody Maker eventually exposed it as a duo featuring the bassist and producer known as Youth and, to everyone's surprise, Paul McCartney. Now, a decade after releasing its last album, The Fireman is back with a new studio album. Hear Electric Arguments in an exclusive sneak preview of the entire album.
Keywords: identity · magazine · music · UK · Paul · Mystery · Preview · youth · duo · album · instrumentation · studio
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