Dec 17 What caused Beethoven's deafness? By Dr. Howard Markel It is a query that has invited many diagnoses over the last 200 years. Continue reading
Dec 13 Watch 7:21 How this nomadic music group is bridging cultural divides By Ali Rogin Tinariwen’s members are Tuaregs, an ethnic group from all across the Sahara desert. They’re nomads who lay down musical rather than physical roots, and their music follows a rich Tuareg lyrical tradition -- gone electric. But although the Tinariwen feel… Continue watching
Dec 12 'Lemonade' by Beyoncé is named the AP's album of the decade By Mesfin Fekadu, Associated Press At the beginning of this decade, Beyoncé was already the greatest singer of her generation. But somehow Superwoman — shoot, she’s Superman, too! — found a way to do more. Continue reading
Dec 09 Watch 6:19 In Broadway musical, Alanis Morissette's 'Jagged Little Pill' becomes modern-day metaphor By Jared Bowen, WGBH Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill,” released in 1995, became the angry and raw soundtrack of a generation. Now, the Grammy-winning album -- which sold 33 million copies -- is the basis of a musical that just opened on Broadway. During… Continue watching
Dec 05 Watch 6:40 The Who's Pete Townshend doesn't enjoy performing. Here's what he'd rather do By Paul Solman Fifty-five years after co-founding the rock band The Who, Pete Townshend is still at it. The lead lyricist and guitarist says he actually doesn’t enjoy performing but views it as an “easy” job necessary to finance his lifestyle and support… Continue watching
Dec 01 Watch 6:14 Mac DeMarco is surviving as an indie artist in a digital age By Christopher Booker, Mori Rothman, Laura Fong Digital disruption has upended the traditional music industry business model, making it harder for most musicians to make a living selling their music. But Mac DeMarco, whose homemade records and unique persona have allowed him to thrive in today’s environment,… Continue watching
Nov 20 2020 Grammy nominations include Lizzo, Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X By Mesfin Fekadu, Associated Press Five of the eight album-of-the-year contenders are women, while seven of the eight song-of-the-year nominees are by women. Continue reading
Nov 14 Garth Brooks wins entertainer of the year at CMAs, despite female push By Mesfin Fekadu, Associated Press Brooks won the top prize over Carrie Underwood, who many had hoped would be the first female to win entertainer of the year since 2011. Continue reading
Nov 04 Watch 6:05 Enriching the lives of Nashville seniors, one song at a time By John Yang, Leah Nagy In Nashville, the nonprofit Music for Seniors connects the city’s musicians with its older residents in an effort to build community and improve seniors’ quality of life. Now, the organization is teaming up with researchers at Vanderbilt University to see… Continue watching
Oct 26 Watch Spoon survives and thrives in the new music economy By Christopher Booker, Mori Rothman Few bands have navigated the profound digital disruption of the music industry quite as well as Spoon. After being dropped by a major label in the late 1990s, the group began recording for an independent label, which led to 20… Continue watching