All Songs Considered

Every January for the past decade a dozen or more bands from around the world have gathered in New York City for globalFEST - one long, frenzied night of live music showcasing the diverse cultures, histories and numerous sonic branches of "World Music." This year's lineup included Zimbabwe legend Oliver Mtukudzi and his band The Black Spirits, Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara, Chicago's wildly exuberant marching band Mucca Pazza, and much, much more. For this week's edition of All Songs Considered, NPR Music's Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR contributor and Afropop.org senior editor Banning Eyre, and Rob Weisberg of WNYC (who also hosts WFMU'sTranspacific Sound Paradise) join Bob Boilen to revisit some of the highlights and favorite discoveries from this year's globalFEST. Oliver Mtukudzi and The Black Spirits GlobalFEST is generally a place to discover young new talent, but occasionally the producers welcome familiar friends to their party. This year, it was Zimbabwe's Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi, who has been an African musical icon since the late 1970s, who brought that sense of homecoming to GlobalFEST with his band, the Black Spirits. Kayhan Kalhor And Erdal Erzincan The soulful Persian classical virtuoso and composer Kayhan Kalhor has long been interested in creating artistic bridges to other musicians and styles. At this year's edition of globalFEST, he revived a partnership that initially began about a decade ago with a Turkish master artist, the baglama player Erdal Erzincan. La Santa Cecilia Based in Los Angeles and fronted by the smoky-voiced Marisol Hernandez, this fast-rising band splices and dices an array of Mexican and South American sounds in their songs, from Mexican norteño and ranchera to Colombian cumbia. Christine Salem As the globalFEST evening wound down, much of the buzz about who was the biggest find of the year centered around a seemingly unlikely figure: the vocalist Christine Salem, who made her New York City debut in this performance. Fatoumata Diawara Undoubtedly one of the breakout stars of this year's edition of globalFEST, the Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara had the crowd wrapped around her finger. Gifted with enormous stage presence and great looks, Diawara put on a tightly choreographed set that screamed with energy and edged towards rock and funk. Mucca Pazza The circus came to globalFEST in the form of Chicago's Mucca Pazza, a group of 30 clowns who could barely be contained in the cavernous ballroom at Webster Hall. They wore mismatched, thrift-shop marching band getups and sported a full range of brass, drums, violin, accordion and electric guitar — plus a gaggle of nerdy cheerleaders. A Tribe Called Red The night ended with bumping beats down at Webster Hall's Studio space with the Ottowa-based Native collective called A Tribe Called Red. They call their style "pow wow step": an imaginative and dance floor-ready blend of beats, aboriginal singing and dancing, and visuals and audio samples that turn "Indian" stereotypes on their heads.

On this edition of All Songs Considered we've got a bunch of new-year premieres for you, including a special collaboration between Tom Waits and Keith Richards. The two veteran musicians recorded a song together for a new compilation album called Son Of Rogue's Gallery, and we guarantee it's not at all what you'd expect. Do the word's "sea chantey" mean anything to you? Also on the program: A curious and captivating new song from Ra Ra Riot; the ghostly and gorgeous voice of Lisa Germano; a stunning sophomore release from the Irish band Villagers; the trippy Canadian rock group Elephant Stone; Dutch pop singer-songwriter Blaudzun; the infectious, '60s-inspired psych-pop duo Foxygen and the electronic dance band STRFKR returns with a moodier new record called Miracle Mile. Songs Featured On This Episode Cover for Son Of Rogues Gallery Tom Waits & Keith Richards Tom Waits & Keith Richards Album: Son Of Rogues Gallery Song: Shenandoah  Villagers Album: Awayland Song: Waves Elephant Stone Album: Elephant Stone Song: Heavy Moon Lisa Germano Album: No Elephants Song: Ruminants Blaudzun Album: Heavy Flowers Song: Elephants Ra Ra Riot Album: Beta Love Song: Is It Too Much Foxygen Album: We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors Of Peace & Magic Song: San Francisco     STRFKR Album: Miracle Mile Song: Beach Monster

On this edition of the program, All Songs Considered hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton invite a gaggle of other NPR Music peeps on the show to share some of the records they're most looking forward to in 2013. Hear new music from Low, fierce world rhythms from Red Baraat, a traditional latin love song from Ileana Cabra, a marriage of hip-hop and new jazz from Jose James, trippy electronica from FaltyDL, rapper Earl Sweatshirt and more! Low Album: Invisible Way Song: Plastic Cup Phosphorescent Album: Muchacho Song: Song For Zula Red Baraat Album: Shruggy Ji Song: Dama Dam Mast Qalandar The Black Twig Pickers Album: Rough Carpenters Song: Rough Carpenters FaltyDL Album: Hardcourage Song: She Sleeps (Ed MacFarlane) Earl Sweatshirt Album: Chum (Single) Song: Chum Jose James Album: No Beginning No End Song: It's All Over Your Body Ileana Mercedes Cabra Album: La Pared/The Wall Song: La Pared/The Wall Josh Ritter Album: The Beast In Its Tracks Song: New Lover

We decided to go all out for this year's All Songs Considered holiday party. The guest list for this (trust us!) unforgettable night of music and tall tales included Kishi Bashi, Dan Deacon, Carrie Brownstein and Nellie McKay. We hosted the festivities at a secluded cabin we rented one weekend in a snowy woods. It was a chilly night, but we had a roaring fire, plenty of eggnog, vegan haggis and lots of holiday songs to keep everybody warm! Songs Featured On This Episode Happy Xmas (War Is Over) Artist: The Polyphonic Spree Album: Holidaydream: Sounds of the Holidays, Vol. 1 I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm Artist: Julian Koster Album: I've Got My love To Keep Me Warm We Need A Little Christmas Artist: Sufjan Stevens Album: Silver & Gold Electronica Hanukkah Artist: Dan Deacon Album: Electronica Hanukkah It Doesn't Feel Like Christmas Artist: Sam Phillips Album: Cold Dark Night It's Christmas, But It's Not White Here In Our Town Artist: Kishi Bashi Album: Holiday Flexi Single Baby, It's Cold Outside (Performed by Sharon Van Etten and Rufus Wainwright) Artist: Various Artists Album: Holidays Rule I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (Performed By The Civil Wars) Artist: Various Artists Album: Holidays Rule Father Christmas Artist: Telekinesis Album: Peace On Earth: Vol II A Christmas Waltz Artist: Nellie McKay Album: A Christmas Waltz Back Door Santa (Performed By Clarence Carter) Artist: Various Artists Album: Christmas Soul [Rhino]

We're a big family at NPR, with amazing member stations and listeners tuning in or clicking from all over the world. Last week, when All Songs Considered posted its annual poll inviting people to pick their favorite albums of 2012, thousands of votes poured in from those listeners with sometimes surprising results. Babel, by Mumford & Sons, is the listener pick for the 2012 album of the year. It didn't come out until this fall, but managed to climb quickly as the favorite, at least among those who voted in our year-end poll. It's followed closely by Of Monsters And Men, Alabama Shakes, Jack White and Grizzly Bear in the top five. As you work your way through the rest of the most popular records you'll probably see a lot that you love, and you'll also likely find some that leave you scratching your head. That's the beauty of what happens when you have a large and wonderfully diverse group of voters with a broad range of tastes. On this week's All Songs Considered we countdown through the top 25 most popular records from our listener poll. 1. Babel Artist: Mumford & Sons Album: Babel 2. My Head Is An Animal Artist: Of Monsters and Men Album: My Head Is An Animal 3. Boys & Girls Artist: Alabama Shakes Album: Boys & Girls 4. Blunderbuss Artist: Jack White Album: Blunderbuss 5. Shields Artist: Grizzly Bear Album: Shields 6. Lumineers Artist: The Lumineers Album: Lumineers 7. Channel Orange Artist: Frank Ocean Album: Channel Orange 8. Bloom Artist: Beach House Album: Bloom 9. Coexist Artist: The xx Album: Coexist 10. The Idler Wheel... Artist: Fiona Apple Album: The Idler Wheel... 11. Some Nights Artist: Fun. Album: Some Nights 12. The Carpenter Artist: Avett Brothers Album: The Carpenter 13. Celebration Rock Artist: Japandroids Album: Celebration Rock 14. What We Saw From The Cheap Seats Artist: Regina Spektor Album: What We Saw From The Cheap Seats 15. Gossamer Artist: Passion Pit Album: Gossamer 16. Break It Yourself Artist: Andrew Bird Album: Break It Yourself 17. Sun Artist: Cat Power Album: Sun 18. Port of Morrow Artist: The Shins Album: Port of Morrow 19. The Lion's Roar Artist: First Aid Kit Album: The Lion's Roar 20. Lonerism Artist: Tame Impala Album: Lonerism 21. There's No Leaving Now Artist: The Tallest Man on Earth Album: There's No Leaving Now 22. Swing Lo Magellan Artist: Dirty Projectors Album: Swing Lo Magellan 23. An Awesome Wave Artist: Alt-J Album: An Awesome Wave 24. The Heist Artist: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Album: The Heist 25. Good Kid M.A.A.D. City Artist: Kendrick Lamar Album: Good Kid M.A.A.D. City

This has been a phenomenal year for music. Veterans Neil Young and Crazy Horse released not one but two ambitious and ingenious albums. New artists such as Kishi Bashi and Alt-J appeared with exciting and unusual records. Plenty of other surprises popped up along the way: Cat Power returned from a six-year hiatus with the best album she's ever made. Ty Segall, already a prolific artist, released three stellar garage-rock records in 2012 (three!), while the first-ever studio album from Macklemore, a rapper with little name recognition outside his native Seattle, made his debut at No. 1 on iTunes and No. 2 on Billboard. Meanwhile, R&B artists Miguel and Frank Ocean both released records that were unconventional but wildly popular. That's just some of the wonderful, unpredictable and endlessly fascinating music of 2012. On this edition of All Songs Considered, hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton chat with NPR Music critic Ann Powers and editor Stephen Thompson about the music that mattered most to them in 2012, including their favorite songs, favorite albums, biggest surprises and favorite new artists. Kishi Bashi     Album: 151A     Song: Bright Whites Lianne La Havas     Album: Is Your Love Big Enough?     Song: Lost & Found The Dø     Album: Both Ways Open Jaws Extended     Song: The Wicked & the Blind Kacey Musgraves     Album: Merry Go 'Round     Song: Merry Go 'Round Neil Young & Crazy Horse     Album: Psychedelic Pill     Song: Walk Like a Giant Macklemore & Ryan Lewis     Album: The Heist     Song: Thrift Shop Cloud Nothings     Album: Attack on Memory     Song: Stay Useless The Sea and Cake     Album: Runner     Song: On And On Alt-J     Album: An Awesome Wave     Song: Tessellate Cat Power     Album: Sun     Song: Sun Frank Ocean     Album: Channel Orange     Song: Lost Japandroids     Album: Celebration Rock     Song: The House That Heaven Built Dirty Projectors     Album: Swing Lo Magellan     Song: Offspring Are Blank Best Coast     Album: The Only Place     Song: The Only Place Miguel     Album: Kaleidoscope Dream     Song: Adorn Ty Segall     Album: Twins     Song: Thank God For Sinners

With the year rapidly winding down, the NPR Music team has been haggling over which albums and songs to include on our various best-of lists. It turns out there was a lot of music released in 2012, and while we do our best to feature much of it on All Songs Considered, we're really able to share only the tiniest fraction of what's out there. So before it's too late, we thought we'd take a moment to pause and check out some of the albums we missed. To help us out, we've got Sami Yenigun, Otis Hart, Lars Gotrich, Frannie Kelley and Anastasia Tsioulcas of the NPR Music team on hand to share their own favorites that never made it on the show. It's a pretty broad mix, from classical composer John Adams and Ethiopian jazz pianist Samuel Yirga, to electronic artist Acid Pauli, the doom metal group Pallbearer, rapper Kendrick Lamar and more. Songs Featured On The Show Matthew Dear • Artist: Matthew Dear • Album: Beams • Song: Ahead Of Myself Acid Pauli • Artist: Acid Pauli • Album: Mst • Song: La Voz Tan Tierna Kelan Philip Cohran/The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble • Artist: Kelan Philip Cohran/The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble • Album: Kelan Philip Cohran & the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble • Song: Spin Samuel Yirga • Artist: Samuel Yirga • Album: Guzo • Song: Abet Abet [Punt Mix] John Adams • Artist: John Adams • Album: Harmonielehre; Short Ride in a Fast Machine • Song: Short Ride in a Fast machine, fanfare for orchestra Kendrick Lamar • Artist: Kendrick Lamar • Album: Good Kid M.A.A.D. City • Song: Swimming Pools (Drank) [Extended Version] [Version] Advisory: This song contains profanity. Waxahatchee • Artist: Waxahatchee • Album: American Weekend • Song: Be Good Pallbearer • Artist: Pallbearer • Album: Sorrow and Extinction • Song: The Legend

The halls of music history are littered with bands that should have made it big, but never did. Maybe they put out a couple of amazing records and you feel like you're the only person on the planet who appreciated them. Or maybe they're still trying, and you're holding out hope, along with the band, that that big break will finally come. We recently asked listeners to tell us their picks for bands that should be way bigger than they are and we were surprised by how many we didn't know. On this edition of All Songs Considered we share some of the discoveries we made, along with some of our own candidates for bands that should be bigger.

Bob Boilen has had a ban on seeing arena rock shows for more than 30 years, but it may ending. He recently saw The Who at a mega-dome concert, performing one of Bob's favorite albums in its entirety. On this edition of All Songs Considered, hear a cut from that record and why Bob loves it so much. Also on the show: Hear a cut from the upcoming Local Natives record, Hummingbird, the band's much-anticipated sophomore followup to 2010's Gorilla Manor. We've also got some fantastic new discoveries, including the ambient-rock group IO Echo, dreamy electronica from Blackbird Blackbird, and the mesmerizing voice of singer Angel Olsen. Plus we check back in with the Tempe, Ariz. band Gospel Claws, a group we first featured on All Songs Considered back in 2010.

Host Bob Boilen has been on the road having way too much fun. (CMJ Music Marathon, Moogfest, Peter Gabriel). This week, Bob's finally back in the office, and he and co-host Robin Hilton share some of their favorite records and songs of the week, including beautiful new music from Andrew Bird, a stunning music app and album from Brian Eno, a blistering rock gem from Ty Segall and more. Bob also shares tips from a new book, Supernatural Strategies For Making A Rock 'n' Roll Group, by Ian F. Svenonius, the lead singer of bands The Make-Up and Chain and the Gang. For example, "If one makes a rock 'n' roll group, one must eventually make some music. But before that, one must make a photograph of the group." Later in the show they're joined by NPR Music producer Lars Gotrich, who shares a mind-blowing electronica cut from Holly Herndon. Songs Featured On This Episode Ty Segall Album: Twins Song: Thank God For Sinners Andrew Bird Album: Hands of Glory Song: When That Helicopter Comes Casket Girls Album: Sleepwalking Song: Walking On A Wire Brian Eno Album: Lux Song: Lux 1 Pantha du Prince Album: Elements Of Light Song: Photon Gashcat Album: Devil Kid Demos Song: Lady of the Ark Holly Herndon Album: Movement Song: Fade

If it weren't for Robert Moog, a lot of the music you enjoy today might not have been possible. As the inventor of the Moog synthesizer, he gave rise to not only the technology needed for modern electronic music, but also the creative spirit that inspired countless musicians to take his vision and play with it, mold it and reshape it into mind-blowing works of art. This past weekend, a remarkably gifted group of electronic and experimental rock artists gathered in Asheville, N.C., for the annual Moogfest. All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen and NPR electronic and dance-music contributor Sami Yenigun were there and, on this week's show, discuss some of their favorite sets, including a special performance from electronic-music pioneer Morton Subotnick, Andy Stott, DJ legends Carl Craig and Richie Hawtin, along with Ana Sia, Squarepusher, Exitmusic and more. Morton Subotnick Subotnick released the first all-electronic album, Silver Apples of the Moon, in 1967. Last Friday, he returned to Moogfest 2012 in Asheville, N.C., to perform the whole thing live. Hear the performance in its entirety. Andy Stott Stott is known for deep, brooding techno tracks that are shrouded in fuzzy tones. Hailing from Manchester, U.K., the producer has released music both under his own name and as Andrea. Blondes This is the official video for the Blondes song "Wine" from the band's self-titled full-length debut. Ana Sia Ana Sia produces high-energy bass music set to hip-hop rhythms. Born in Minnesota, Sia saw her DJing career take off while in San Francisco, where her mix of low-end-heavy styles earned her a reputation for slaying the dance floor. Appropriately, her nickname is "Princess Slay-ah." Death Grips Watch Death Grips perform at the CMJ Music Marathon via NPR Music and WNYC. This group from Sacramento, Calif., has given some of the most memorable live performances of any act this year, with bass-heavy beats and intensely physical theatrics. Squarepusher Note: Squarepusher's set at Moogfest 2012 was not among the shows NPR Music recorded. This track is "303 Scopem Hard" from Squarepusher's 2012 album Ufabulum, via KCRW. Richie Hawtin Hear Richie Hawtin's full performance at Moogfest 2012. Hawtin came up in the Detroit techno scene during the '90s, and built his reputation on a minimal style of dance music. It's not music for everyone, but those who follow any of Hawtin's numerous aliases do show with impassioned vigilance. Carl Craig This cut is "Sketches, Pt. 4" from Carl Craig's 2012 EP Last Decade, released under the alias Carls Davis. Disclosure Hear Disclosure's full performance at Moogfest 2012. Brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence grew up on the outskirts of London, and got their start in the U.K. garage scene making music as Disclosure. Ahleuchatistas This song is "Mistaken Identity" from the 2011 Ahleuchatistas album Location Location. Tim Hecker & Daniel Lopatin The song featured here is "Uptown Psychedelia" from Tim Hecker and Daniel Lopatin's album Instrumental Tourist, due out in November 2012. Exitmusic This performance of "White Noise," from Exitmusic's 2012 album Passenger, comes via WFUV.

Each fall hundreds of little-known bands descend on New York City for the annual CMJ Music Marathon. As far as festivals go, it's one of the best for surprises, since so many of the acts are new and emerging talent. For the artists it's a chance to be seen and heard and, hopefully, loved. For the rabid music fan or journalist, it's a sometimes overwhelming embarrassment of musical-discovery riches. On this edition of All Songs Considered, recorded live at the Judson Memorial Church in New York City, host Bob Boilen talks with Thor Slaughter (yes, that's his real name), Music Director for KWVA radio in Eugene, Ore., and Emmy Black with Bar/None Records. The three share memories of this year's appropriately titled "Music Marathon" and talk about some of their favorite discoveries, including the trippy, psychedelic group Ghost Pal, the country-tinged garage rock band Turbo Fruits and the fantastically named duo Foxygen. Ghost Pal Album: Nathan Jones Is Dead Song: Skeleton Dance Turbo Fruits Album: Butter Song: Sweet Thang Foxygen Album: We Are The 21st Century ambassadors Of Peace And Magic Song: Shuggie Brick + Mortar Album: Making Moves Song: Bangs People Get Ready Album: People Get Ready Song: New June Jinja Safari Album: The Key Of Sea, Vol. 2 Song: Silence Of The Guns Brainstorm Album: Heat Waves Song: Beast In the Sky Mac DeMarco Album: 2 Song: Ode to Viceroy Hundred Waters Album: Hundred Waters Song: Visitor

Last week on All Songs Considered we talked about how much we love Peter Gabriel's classic album, So, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a special deluxe edition and live tour. This week, Peter Gabriel himself joins us to share some of the music he loves by other artists, including early music by The Beatles, soul legend Otis Redding and the inimitable jazz singer Nina Simone. We also check out that deluxe version of So (out Oct. 22), which includes remastered versions of the original songs, a concert DVD and some amazing outtakes, or what Gabriel calls the "DNA" of his songs.

This week, Bob and Robin kick off the show by celebrating the 50th anniversary of the James Bond franchise, and how well it coincides with a new cut from Swedish pop trio Peter Bjorn and John called "I Wish I Was A Spy." NPR Music's Daoud Tyler-Ameen joins the conversation and shares what he calls "relationship therapy," in the song "Friendly Advice," by Bad Books. Later, things get loud when NPR Music's Frannie Kelley stops by to share a cut from the new Death Grips album, while Robin plays a brutal cut from the self-titled Metz album. Bob and Robin end the show on a wistful note and take a trip down memory lane with Peter Gabriel's "Don't Give Up," from of his forthcoming 25th anniversary deluxe edition of the classic album 'So.' Peter Bjorn And John Artist: Peter Bjorn And John Album: Yo Gabba Gabba! Music Is Awesome Vol. 4 Song: I Wish I Was A Spy Bad Books Artist: Bad Books Album: II Song: Friendly Advice Ultraísta Artist: Ultraísta Album: Ultraísta Song: Gold Dayzz Death Grips Artist: Death Grips Album: No Love Deep Web Song: Lil Boy   METZ Artist: METZ Album: METZ Song: Headache Peter Gabriel Artist: Peter Gabriel Album: So 25th Anniversary Edition Song: Don't Give Up

On this week's All Songs Considered the former founding member of The Velvet Underground talks about his latest solo album and shares some of this favorite songs by other artists. Few artists have had careers as long, as distinguished or revered as John Cale's. A founding member of experimental rock pioneers The Velvet Underground, Cale has spent nearly a half-century as an vanguard musician in drone, rock, and classical. He's known in part for producing seminal works by other artists, such as The Stooges, Patti Smith, and The Modern Lovers. But Cale has also had a prolific solo career. He's just released his 15th solo album, Shifty Adventures In Nookie Wood. On this edition of All Songs Considered he talks about the new record, and shares some of his favorite songs by other artists, including Miles Davis and The Isley Brothers. Cale also reveals a few surprises, including the parallels he sees between minimalist music and Hip-Hop. Miles Davis Artist: Miles Davis Album: Kind of Blue Song: Freddie Freeloader The Beach Boys Artist: The Beach Boys Album: Forever Beach Boys Song: In My Room   John Cale Artist: John Cale Album: Shifty Adventures in Nookie Wood Song: Face to the Sky Snoop Dogg Artist: Snoop Dogg Album: R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece Song: Drop It Like It's Hot John Cale Artist: John Cale Album: Shifty Adventures in Nookie Wood Song: Nookie Wood   The Isley Brothers Artist: The Isley Brothers Album: The Essential Isley Brothers Song: Harvest for the World The Velvet Underground Artist: The Velvet Underground Album: Velvet Underground & Nico [Deluxe Edition] Song: The Black Angel's Death Song The Velvet Underground & Nico Artist: The Velvet Underground & Nico Album: The Velvet Underground & Nico 45th Anniversary Box Set Song: Melody Laughter Note: This is an excerpt from the upcoming 45th anniversary box set of The Velvet Underground & Nico.