Dec 29 Watch 9:13 Tune into these artists for the soundtrack of 2017 By PBS News Hour We look back at the year’s best offerings in music, from Kendrick Lamar’s fourth album “DAMN.” to breakout artist Margo Price’s “All American Made.” Jeffrey Brown sits down with Ann Powers of NPR and Mikael Wood of the Los Angeles… Continue watching
Dec 29 Listen to these 12 great albums of 2017 By Elizabeth Flock 2017 saw a slew of big pop and hip-hop records, a number of breakout female singer-songwriters and all-girl bands, and the return of beloved 60's soul artist Don Bryant and pop star Kesha. Continue reading
Dec 26 Watch 6:59 The body becomes music when this dancer taps tradition By PBS News Hour "Tap dance is the dance of creating music," says Michelle Dorrance. The founder of Dorrance Dance has helped lead a renaissance in tap, gaining attention for her own exuberant, athletic style. Jeffrey Brown sits down with Dorrance to discuss how… Continue watching
Dec 16 How the Warped Tour helped artists (and fans) find themselves By Lora Strum Musicians and fans alike are mourning the end of the Vans Warped Tour, a “punk rock summer camp” and rite of passage for many big-name artists. Continue reading
Nov 27 Watch 5:22 Gregorian chants are a hit at this Nebraska seminary By PBS News Hour Spending 13 weeks at the top of the classical music charts, a group of priests are reinvigorating an early musical genre. Special correspondent Dennis Kellogg of NET reports from eastern Nebraska. Continue watching
Nov 21 Watch 7:28 In John Adams’ new Gold Rush opera, cultures clash with a tragic ending By Jeffrey Brown, Jaywon Choe, Mike Fritz For contemporary composer John Adams, it was three notes that launched his latest opera: the sound of a pick axe “chipping away at stone.” Premiering at the San Francisco Opera, "Girls of the Golden West," a collaboration with director Peter… Continue watching
Nov 13 Watch 6:49 Robert Plant’s new album follows the ‘Fire’ of his musical passions By PBS News Hour Robert Plant, former chest-baring frontman of Led Zeppelin, has enjoyed a prolific solo career, experimenting with a variety of musical styles and genres. Jeffrey Brown sits down with the rock legend to discuss his inspirations, whether Led Zeppelin will ever… Continue watching
Oct 25 Fats Domino, New Orleans legend who brought the ‘thrill’ to rock ‘n’ roll, dies at 89 By Elizabeth Flock Fats Domino, who recorded the beloved hits “Ain’t That a Shame,” “Blueberry Hill,” and “Blue Monday," outsold every 1950s rock ‘n’ roll star except Elvis Presley. Continue reading
Oct 19 Watch 8:19 How Trombone Shorty is training the next generation of musicians in his hometown By PBS News Hour Troy Andrews, better known as Trombone Shorty, grew up with music all around him in New Orleans, first playing on the streets at age 4. Now with a Grammy, an international following and a new album, Andrews also devotes himself… Continue watching
Oct 12 Watch 4:05 The vital things that make life spectacular By PBS News Hour In the 100th episode of Brief but Spectacular, 92-year-old Richard Goldbloom offers his take on the things that have made his life spectacular, and what it’s like to begin losing your memories. Continue watching