Sponsor
Support Weekend America with your Amazon.com purchases
Search Amazon.com:
Keywords:
  • News/Talk
  • Music
  • Entertainment
Welcome to Weekend America
Weekend America Primary Navigation
Play Consumed
Get Involved

How did your life collide with the headlines in 2007?
Iraq, the subprime crisis, Facebook, immigration, oil prices - 2007 had no shortage of hefty headlines. We'd like to hear about how these and other major news events of the past year affected you. Where did your life collide with the news in 2007?

What's your holiday performance story?
The office talent show, the neighborhood caroling posse, the school pageant ... At holiday time we often sing, dance, and dress as shepherds. Did you bloom in the warmth of your audience's adulation, or freeze up like the snowman you'd rather be building? Did your holiday performance change your life or that of someone close to you?

Section Bottom
Browse
Section Bottom
Browse
Recently Featured Music
Music Picks
Listen IconClassical Music: Juan Diego Flórez
Tenor great Juan Diego Florez sings songs from his youth on his new CD, Sentimiento Latino. It includes pieces from throughout Latin America. Music critic Steve Smith of Time Out New York joins host Barbara Bogaev to talk about it. (01/04/06)
Online resources:
» Juan Diego Flórez | "Bello Durmiente" | From the album, Sentimiento Latino (Decca)
» Steve Smith's blog about live music in New York City

Music Picks
Listen IconClassical Music: Rolando Villazón
A tenor from Mexico City is being hailed as the next Placido Domingo. His name is Rolando Villazon and he has just released a new CD. Music critic Steve Smith of Time Out New York joins host Barbara Bogaev to talk about it. (01/04/06)
Online resources:
» Rolando Villazón | "Jungfrau Maria" | From the album, Opera Recital (Virgin Classics)
» Steve Smith's blog about live music in New York City

Music Picks
Listen IconJazz Picks: Gianluca Petrella
Jazz critic Nate Chinen introduces Italian trombonist Gianluca Petrella to Weekend America and his interpretation of Thelonious Monk's "Trinkle, Tinkle" from Petrella's first solo album, Indigo4. (03/25/2006)
Online resources:
» Gianluca Petrella | "Trinkle, Tinkle [Jazz Remix]" | From the album, Indigo4 (Blue Note)

Music Picks
Listen IconJazz Picks: Thomas Stronen
Jazz critic Nate Chinen is impressed with Swedish Pianist Bobo Stenson. Stenson is back and under the direction of Norwegian Drummer Thomas Stronen. Stronen has a new solo record out called, Parish. This cut is called, "Easta". (03/25/2006)
Online resources:
» Thomas Stronen | "Easta" | From the album, Parish (ECM)

Music Picks
Listen IconWorld Music: Cristina Branco
Music critic Anastasia Tsioulcas shares music from the Portuguese singer Cristina Branco. (03/18/2006)
Online resources:
» Cristina Branco | "Choro (Ai Barco Que Me Levasse)," "Sonhei Que Estava Em Portugal," "Liberté" | From the album, Ulisses (Decca)
» Anastasia Tsioulcas music blog

Music Picks
Listen IconWorld Music: Sayyed Darweesh
Music critic Anastasia Tsioulcas shares music from a turn of the century Egyptian composer who's been called the father of modern Arabic music. His name is Sayyed Darweesh and the track is called "Calmly and Peacefully." (03/18/2006)
Online resources:
» Composer: Sayyed Darweesh | Performer: Chicago Classical Oriental Ensemble | "Ya Ghuseyn el-Ban," "Salmah Ya Salamah," | From the album, The Songs of Sheikh Sayyed Darweesh (Xauen)
» Anastasia Tsioulcas music blog

Music Picks
Listen IconIndie Picks: Centro-Matic
Denton, Texas songwriter Will Johnson has performed under his own name and as "South San Gabriel." Now, he's back tackling roots-country music as "Centro-Matic." Mark Wheat of the Minneapolis-St. Paul station, "The Current" joins host Bill Radke to talk about Johnson's latest CD. (03/11/2006)
Online resources:
» Centro-Matic | "In Such a Crooked a Time, Calling Thermatico" | From the album, Fort Recovery (Misra)

Music Picks
Listen IconIndie Picks: Tarkio
One of last year's biggest independent releases was The Decemberists' album Picaresque. Colin Meloy's songwriting skills helped make them a critics choice. They'll soon have a new album. Meanwhile, Mark Wheat of the Minneapolis-St. Paul station "The Current" has brought in a CD of Meloy's old band, Tarkio and joins host Bill Radke to compare his writing then and now. (03/11/2006)
Online resources:
» Tarkio | "Eva Luna," "Snakes in the Grass" | From the album, Omnibus (Kill Rock Stars)

Music Picks
Listen IconPop Music: Neko Case
Neko Case is known for her indie-rock performances with the Canadian band, The New Pornographers. On her own, she prefers to sing country. Weekend America's pop music critic Alan Light sits down with host Barbara Bogaev to talk about Case's latest CD. (03/04/2006)
Online resources:
» Neko Case | Hold On, Hold On | From the album, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood (Anti)

Music Picks
Listen IconPop Music: The Yeah Yeah Yeahs
After three years the band "The Yeah Yeah Yeahs" is back with a new CD, Show Your Bones. Host Barbara Bogaev talks to Weekend America's pop music critic Alan Light about what the band is up to with their latest release. (03/04/2006)
Online resources:
» The Yeah Yeah Yeahs | Gold Lion | From the album, Show Your Bones (Interscope Records)

WA Production Image
Listen IconReaching the Final Bar
Since college, Weekend America's John Moe has had a relationship with the Seattle-area band, Gas Huffer. Now after years of touring, the group has called it quits. As John tells us, it marked the end of an era for the band...and for him. (03/04/2006)
Online resources:
» Learn more about Gas Huffer at the Public Radio MusicSource.

Music Picks
Listen IconClassical Music: Another Side of Sibelius
Composer Jean Sibelius is known mostly for his spare, impressionistic style. But he didn't always write that way. Music critic Steve Smith joins host Barbara Bogaev to talk about one of Sibelius' early works, "Kullervo," performed by Sir Colin Davis and the London Symphony Orchestra. (02/25/2006)
Online resources:
» Composer - Jean Sibelius | Performers - London Symphony Orchestra | Kullervo | From the album, Kullervo (Lso Live)

Music Picks
Listen IconClassical Music: High Brow Hee Haw?
Composers of classical music have always borrowed musical snippets from popular culture. A lot of contemporary composers do the same. But Randall Woolf goes further. He's actually sampling, using hip-hop turntable techniques in his work. Music critic Steve Smith joins host Barbara Bogaev to talk more about Woolf's latest. (02/25/2006)
Online resources:
» Composer - Randall Woolf | Hee Haw | From the album, Modern Primitives (Exploding Music)

Listen IconTracking Down Darondo
Weekend America's Michael Raphael recently received a reissued album of an artist who hasn't recorded in decades. And after hearing his music, he couldn't understand why. Who was this very soulful, funky singer? Michael wasn't the only one who wanted to know. He tells us about the quest to track down the artist, simply known as Darondo. (02/25/2006)
Online resources:
» Learn more about Darondo at the Ubiquity Records Web site
» Darondo's album, Let My People Go is available at the Public Radio MusicSource.

Music Picks
Listen IconJazz Picks: Chris Potter
Most folks have become acquainted with Chris Potter's sax playing through his work with Steely Dan. Now, Chris has his own album called, Underground. Weekend America's Jazz Critic Nate Chinen joins host Bill Radke to talk about it. (02/18/2006)
Online resources:
» Chris Potter | Next Best Western, Big Top | From the album, Undergound (Sunny Side)

Music Picks
Listen IconJazz Picks: Larry Goldings
Mention the name Larry Goldings to most jazz fans and sounds of a bebop-inspired Hammond B-3 come to mind. But before Larry was an organist, he was a pianist...and piano is what you'll hear featured on his new CD. Is it any good? Weekend America's jazz critic Nate Chinen joins host Bill Radke to talk about it. (02/18/2006)
Online resources:
» Larry Goldings | Singsong, Hidalgo | From the album, Quartet (Palmetto)

Listen IconMusic and Mardi Gras
How festive should New Orleans' Mardi Gras be this year? As we approach the celebration, independent producer Gideon D'Arcangelo speaks with author Tom Piazza and trumpeter Gregg Stafford about New Orleans music, the upcoming festivities and the city they love. (02/18/2006)
Online resources:
» Tom Piazza's book, Why New Orleans Matters is available at the Public Radio BookSource.
» Gregg Stafford & the Easy Riders Jazz Band

Music Picks
Listen IconWorld Music: Los de Abajo
There's a band out of Mexico City that's been getting a lot of attention recently on the world music scene. They're called Los De Abajo. Host Barbara Bogaev sits down with music critic Tom Pryor to learn about their influences and why their fans are drawn to them. (02/11/2006)
Online resources:
» Los de Abajo | Cumbia del Castor, Los Lunaticos | From the album, LDA v. Los Lunaticos (Real World)

Music Picks
Listen IconWorld Music: Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club
The Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club is Zanzibar's oldest band, with roots dating back more than 100 years. They have a new compilation of Swahili music and Tom Pryor joins host Barbara Bogaev to talk about it. (02/11/2006)
Online resources:
» Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club | Vingaravyo Vyote Si Dhahabu | From the album, Zanzibara, Vol. 1: A Hundred Years of Tarab in Zanzibar (Buda Musique)

Music Picks
Listen IconPop Music: Tortoise and Bonnie Prince Billy
If there were an indie-rock super group, it would probably be Tortoise. Since the early nineties, the Chicago-based band has been mixing indie-rock with jazz, electronic, and classical minimalism. Their latest release is with a country tinged songwriter named Bonnie "Prince" Billy. Mark Wheat, music host at The Current in Minneapolis-St. Paul sits down to talk with host Bill Radke about the band's latest release. (02/04/2006)
Online resources:
» Tortoise and Bonnie Prince Billy | Daniel, Pancho | From the album, The Brave and the Bold (Overcoat Recordings)
pu

Music Picks
Listen IconPop Music: Belle and Sebastian
Literate storytelling and lush chamber pop arrangements have long been a trademark of the Scottish band, Belle and Sebastian. Mark Wheat of the music station The Current in Minneapolis-St. Paul joins host Bill Radke to talk about their latest release, which takes a more hardened approach. (02/04/2006)
Online resources:
» Belle and Sebastian | We Are the Sleepyheads, Mornington Crescent | From the album, The Life Pursuit (Matador)

Music Picks
Listen IconPop Music: Jenny Lewis
There' a new solo CD out this weekend from Jenny Lewis, the singer with the band Rilo Kiley. The band is a favorite of Elvis Costello. But will her new recording a favorite of yours? Pop music critic Alan Light joins host Barbara Bogaev to give us a sample. (01/28/2006)
Online resources:
» Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins | Handle With Care, Rabbit Fur Coat, Rise Up With Fists!! | From the album, Rabbit Fur Coat (Team Love Records)

Music Picks
Listen IconPop Music: Cat Power
On her new CD, The Greatest, Cat Power has solicited the help of Al Green's horn section to give her music a hint of southern soul. Will it make her fans happy? Pop Critic Alan Light shares his thoughts with Weekend America's Barbara Bogaev. (01/28/2006)
Online resources:
» Cat Power | The Moon, Could We | From the album, The Greatest (Matador Records)

Music Picks
Listen IconWorld Music: Susheela Raman
Susheela Raman's musical influences span the globe. Listening to her songs draws comparisons to South Indian, West African, jazz, cabaret and other musical styles. Billboard Magazine music critic Anastasia Tsioulcas joins host Barbara Bogaev to talk about Raman's latest release. (01/21/2006)
Online resources:
» Susheela Raman | Sharavana | From the album, Music for Crocodiles (Narada)

Music Picks
Listen IconWorld Music: Son de la Frontera
Son de la Frontera, or "Sounds of the Frontier" specializes in blending a wide variety of Latin sounds into hot flamenco music. Billboard Magazine music critic Anastasia Tsioulcas talks to host Barbara Bogaev about their latest CD. (01/21/2006)
Online resources:
» Son de la Frontera | Bulería Negra Del Gastor | From the album, Son de la Frontera (World Village)

Music Picks
Listen IconClassical Music: Tolstoy's Waltz
Some Russians famous in the world of dance and literature are also very accomplished composers. And thanks to a new recording, we get to hear a sample of their musical talent. Host Barbara Bogaev talks to Time Out New York music critic Steve Smith about the new CD. (01/14/2006)
Online resources:
» Lera Auerbach | Waltz in F | From the album, Tolstoy's Waltz (Bis)

Music Picks
Listen IconClassical Music: Bela Bartok
It's been a while since an American symphony has put out an exciting new classical recording. But music critic Steve Smith of Time Out New York tells host Barbara Bogaev that one has just arrived. It features the Philadelphia Orchestra performing Bela Bartok's "Concerto for Orchestra." (01/14/2006)
Online resources:
» Béla Bartók | Concerta for Orchestra - Finale | From the album, The Philadelphia Orchestra (Ondine)

WA Production Image
Listen IconIndependent Music
They're obsessed with French pop music, but the band Nous Non Plus hails from New York. Weekend America host Bill Radke talks to Mark Wheat, of the Minneapolis radio station The Current, about their new CD which crosses classic French romantic sounds with American rock and roll. (01/07/2006)
Online resources:
» Nous Non Plus Web site

WA Production Image
Listen IconIndependent Music
The Austin, Texas based band Okkervil River has been getting a lot of attention lately. They have a new CD called "Black Sheep Boy Appendix" which features some cuts they couldn't fit into their album last year. Host Bill Radke gives it a spin with music critic Mark Wheat of the Minneapolis radio station The Current. (01/07/2006)
Online resources:
» Okkervil River Web site

WA Production Image
Listen IconJazz Music: Deerhoof
Jazz critic Nate Chinen usually highlights jazz music on Weekend America. This time, he shares music from the San Francisco-based rock band Deerhoof with host Bill Radke. (12/31/2005)
Online resources:
» Deerhoof | Running Thoughts | From the album, The Runners Four

Music Picks
Listen IconPop Music: Lee Ann Womack
Music critic Alan Light usually highlights pop music on Weekend America. This time he shares a little bit of country music from artist Lee Ann Womack with host Barbara Bogaev. (12/31/2005)
Online resources:
» Lee Ann Womack | Twenty Years and Two Husbands Ago | From the album, There's More Where That Came From

Music Picks
Listen IconIndependent Music: Neil Diamond
Mark Wheat, a host on The Current, usually shares independent music picks with Weekend America. This time, he chooses something a bit more mainstream. Mark plays a cut from the new Neil Diamond record for host Bill Radke. (12/24/2005)
Online resources:
» Neil Diamond | Evermore, Delirious Love | From the album, 12 Songs (Sony)

Music Picks
Listen IconClassical Music: Ulver
Steve Smith, the music editor for Time Out New York, usually highlights classical music on Weekend America. This time he shares music from the Norwegian black metal band Ulver with host Barbara Bogaev. (12/24/2005)
Online resources:
» Ulver | It Is Not Sound | From the album, Blood Sound (The End Records)

WA Production Image
Listen IconA Merry Tuba Christmas
Weekend America's Jim Gates drops in on a rehearsal of the Tuba Christmas. Tuba Christmas is performed in more than 170 cities throughout the United States and other parts of the world. (12/24/2005)
Online resources:
» Tuba Christmas 2005 Los Angeles

Music Picks
Listen IconWorld Music: Either / Orchestra
The Either Orchestra has a new CD of Ethiopian pop classics from the 70s. Music Critic Tom Pryor offers his review with host Barbara Bogaev. (12/17/2005)
Online resources:
» Either / Orchestra | Muziqawi Silt | From the album, Ethiopiques, Vol. 20: Either/Orchestra Live in Addis (Buda Musique)

Music Picks
Listen IconWorld Music: Thione Seck
Critic Tom Pryor talks to host Barbara Bogaev about some new music from Senegal. The artist is Thione Seck, and the cut is called "Siw". (12/17/2005)
Online resources:
» Thione Seck | Siw | From the album, Orientation (Stern's Africa)

WA Production Image
Listen IconBaby It's Cold Outside
In 1949, Margaret Whiting and the legendary Johnny Mercer recorded a song that would become a classic. Margaret Whiting shares the story behind the music. (12/17/2005)
Online resources:
» More about Margaret Whiting (Wikipedia)

Music Picks
Listen IconJazz Picks: Bebo Valdes
Bebo Valdes just received his second Latin Grammy for the record Bebo de Cuba. Nate Chinen, from Jazz Times magazine, shares a cut called "Copla No. 4." (12/10/2005)
Online resources:
» Bebo Valdes | El Solar de Bebo, Copla No. 4 | From the album, Bebio De Cuba (Calle 54)

Music Picks
Listen IconJazz Picks: Bobo Stenson
Jazz Times columnist, Nate Chinen, shares some music from Bobo Stenson. Stenson is a Swedish pianist who is recognized as one of the top players in Europe. Nate plays a track for host Bill Radke called "Alfonsina." (12/10/2005)
Online resources:
» Bobo Stenson | Alfonsia | From the album, Goodbye (Ecm Records)

Music Picks
Listen IconPop Music: Wilco
Lots of bands record live albums. But few do it well. The band Wilco has been successful going live with its new release, Kicking Television: Live In Chicago. Host Barbara Bogaev talks to music critic Allan Light about why their new CD works. (12/03/2005)
Online resources:
» Wilco | The Late Greats, Handshake Drugs | From the album, Kicking Television: Live in Chicago (Nonesuch)

Music Picks
Listen IconPop Music: Bobby Bare
Country singer Bobby Bare basically ducked out of the music world in the early 1980s. But he's back and he has a new CD, The Moon is Blue. Host Barbara Bogaev talks to music critic Allan Light about Bare's comeback recording. (12/03/2005)
Online resources:
» Bobby Bare | Am I That Easy to Forget, Yesterday When I Was Young | From the album, The Moon Was Blue (Dualtone Music Group)

Music Picks
Listen IconClassical Music: Mangus Lindberg
Steve Smith, music editor from Time Out New York magazine, introduces host Barbara Bogaev to a Finnish clarinet concerto. In this track, clarinetist Kari Kriikku performs with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. (11/26/2005)
Online resources:
» Clarinet Concerto; Gran Duo; Chorale | Clarinet Concerto | From the album, Clarinet Concerto; Gran Duo; Chorale (Ondine)

Music Picks
Listen IconClassical Music: Dominic Frasca
Steve Smith of Time Out New York magazine shares new music from a young guitarist named Dominic Frasca with host Barbara Bogaev. The track is called "Dometude." (11/26/2005)
Online resources:
» Dominic Frasca | Dometude | From the album, Deviations

WA Production Image
Image Icon