Ann Powers appears in the following:
World Cafe Nashville: Joshua Hedley
Wednesday, May 09, 2018
On his debut album for Jack White's Third Man Records, Mr. Jukebox, Hedley infuses his classic arrangements with deep personal feeling; his songs feel likes confidences, not costume dramas.
First Listen: Willie Nelson, 'Last Man Standing'
Monday, April 23, 2018
The country music legend is still writing and recording original material at age 84. His latest stresses good cheer in the face of hard times.
World Cafe Nashville: Brothers Osborne
Friday, April 20, 2018
John Osborne's guitar runs through every track like a duet partner with T.J.'s ever more sophisticated vocalizing. Hear a live session from Nashville's Sound Stage Studios.
World Cafe Nashville: Dom Flemons
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Flemons' latest work, Black Cowboys, explodes the stereotypes that have dominated one of America's founding mythologies and opens up the frontier for all to claim.
First Listen: Brothers Osborne, 'Port Saint Joe'
Thursday, April 12, 2018
The award-winning, chart-topping country duo is back. Listen to John and T.J. Osborne's highly anticipated sophomore album in its entirety.
Ahead Of Her Return, Carrie Underwood's 'Cry Pretty' Does Some Heavy Lifting
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
One of country music's best voices delivers a subtly feminist statement on the double standards of grief and presentation.
Joseph Arthur And R.E.M.'s Peter Buck Hold Onto Music For Survival
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
A new collaboration between songwriters and mutual admirers explores human nature. Hear the first single from Arthur Buck, the chiming "I Am the Moment."
Turning The Tables: The 150 Greatest Albums Made By Women (As Chosen By You)
Monday, April 09, 2018
The results are in for our reader poll, and your picks for the greatest albums made by women deeply modify and sometimes openly challenge our original Turning the Tables list.
World Cafe Nashville: Erin Rae
Thursday, March 29, 2018
With a gentle voice and deeply insightful songwriting, the Tennessee native has been a standout among the city's folk and Americana artists for years.
Songs We Love: Traveller, 'Hummingbird'
Monday, March 26, 2018
Traveller is the illustrious combination of Jonny Fritz, Robert Ellis and Cory Chisel. The first single from Western Movies is an ode to a woman in the deep summer of her own life.
What Do You Think Are The Greatest Albums Made By Women?
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
In July, we published a list of the 150 greatest albums made by women, as chosen by a group of women within the NPR universe. Now, we're turning the list over to you.
Turning The Tables Listening Party: Women Of Roots And Americana
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
In this special episode, we discuss two milestone albums in Americana music: Bonnie Raitt's Nick of Time and Lucinda Williams' Car Wheels on a Gravel Road.
How Jim Burns Transformed American Pop Music
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
The MTV Unplugged series was a 90s pop culture staple. Jim Burns co-created the series and was the show's executive producer during its original run. Burns died on Tuesday at 65.
The Old Taylor's Not Dead
Friday, November 10, 2017
On her new album, Reputation, Taylor Swift continues to chronicle the links between romance, revenge and her own personal sense of justice, but also confronts how she may be trapped by her own image.
Labor Day: The Future of Car Safety, 50 Years of Unions, Raising the Minimum Wage, Moving for Work, Women of Pop
Monday, September 04, 2017
A look at American workers through various lenses, a discussion about car safety innovations since so many people are in their cars today, and the most notable women of pop music.
How Pop Music Influences Americans
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
NPR Music Critic Ann Powers talks about the ways popular music has helped to shape Americans' beliefs and abilities to express emotions.
Singing Our Lives: When Pop Stars Are Super-Heroines
Friday, August 04, 2017
A discussion about our list of The 150 Greatest Albums Made By Women turns on the question of why it's so powerful to see a bit of yourself reflected in your favorite musicians.
A New Canon of Pop Music Featuring All Women
Friday, July 28, 2017
Find out who made it on to NPR's list of 150 best albums in popular music and why its comprised of all women artists.
First Listen: Tyler Childers, 'Purgatory'
Thursday, July 27, 2017
The rising Americana star's new album was produced by Sturgill Simpson.
World Cafe Nashville: Midland
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Based in Austin, this harmony-based group melds the whiskey-soaked spirit of the barroom with the country-rock of Gram Parsons and the Eagles.
