Marlene Houston
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Live Music Picks
Sara Bareilles Finds a Reflective Path Through “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”
At the piano in Atlanta, Sara Bareilles gives Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” a darker, more exposed character. A…
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Nene Royal Builds “Seven Nation Army” Around Voice, Riff and Electric Guitar
Nene Royal’s 2026 America’s Got Talent finale turns “Seven Nation Army” into a forceful guitar-led performance. The sixteen-year-old singer from…
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Mark Knopfler Finds Space and Quiet Intensity in Berlin’s “Brothers in Arms”
Mark Knopfler’s 2007 Berlin performance lets “Brothers in Arms” unfold through patient singing and deeply expressive guitar phrasing. Sustained notes…
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“Million Reasons” in Pink and Blue: Lady Gaga’s Royal Variety Ballad
At the 2016 Royal Variety Performance, Lady Gaga gives “Million Reasons” an orchestral frame and an intimate vocal center. A…
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a-ha Let “Take On Me” Breathe in Their Summer Solstice Performance
In a-ha’s 2017 MTV Unplugged arrangement, “Take On Me” trades its bright forward rush for a slower, more intimate atmosphere.…
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Miley Cyrus Gives “Man of Constant Sorrow” Her Own Edge at Clooney’s AFI Tribute
Miley Cyrus brings a rough-edged country voice to “Man of Constant Sorrow” during George Clooney’s 2018 AFI celebration. The song’s…
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Stevie Wonder and an All-Star Ensemble Keep Sly Stone’s Groove Moving
Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Maxwell, Beck, Flea and their fellow performers celebrate Sly Stone through a lively Rock Hall medley.…
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Erin Morton Gives Radiohead’s “Creep” a New Voice at Cincinnati’s Jam Band Event
Erin Morton’s student performance of “Creep” moves from exposed, quiet phrases into a commanding vocal climax. Backed by fellow University…
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A Light on the Ice: Veronika Zhilina Skates to “Hallelujah”
Veronika Zhilina begins with a small light in her hand, then opens the ice into an expressive skating program set…
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A School’s Shared Farewell: The Haka for Teacher Dawson Tamatea
Palmerston North Boys’ High School’s farewell to Dawson Tamatea moves from silence into the collective force of a haka. Hundreds…
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Lady Gaga Places Voice and Orchestra at the Center of “Million Reasons”
In a flowing pink gown against blue light, Lady Gaga brings “Million Reasons” to the Royal Variety stage with an…
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Jessica Sanchez Gives “Die With a Smile” a Solo Arc on Her AGT Return
Jessica Sanchez’s winning 2025 America’s Got Talent season culminated in a sweeping “Die With a Smile.” Performing nine months pregnant,…
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The Santa Fe Raging Grannies Give an Old Folk Tune a Local, Somber Purpose
“House of the Epstein Crimes” brings the familiar contours of “The House of the Rising Sun” into the Santa Fe…
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A Small Question in a Big Voice: Lady Gaga Sings “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
Mister Rogers’ familiar invitation takes on a thoughtful new character in Lady Gaga’s studio cover. Her ballad treatment keeps the…
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Paul McCartney Turns the White House’s “Hey Jude” Into a Roomful of Voices
Paul McCartney’s 2010 Gershwin Prize celebration ends with “Hey Jude” opening into a shared White House singalong. Barack Obama and…
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Heart Build “Stairway to Heaven” Into a Personal Kennedy Center Tribute
Ann and Nancy Wilson guide “Stairway to Heaven” from a restrained opening to a sweeping Kennedy Center finale. Jason Bonham…
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Taylor Swift Brings an Acoustic “Shake It Off” to Cyrus Porter’s Family Home
A Christmas-season visit brought Taylor Swift and her parents to the Missouri home of 96-year-old fan Cyrus Porter. Her acoustic…
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The Santa Fe Raging Grannies Make a Familiar Hook Their Own Protest Chant
Eleven Santa Fe Raging Grannies give “Hit the Road, Jack” a new destination with “Hit the Road, ICE!” Their choir-like…
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A Microphone Handoff Brings Barack Obama Into “Sweet Home Chicago”
The White House blues finale gained an unexpected voice when B.B. King and Buddy Guy encouraged Barack Obama to join…
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James and Henry Taylor Give “You Can Close Your Eyes” a Family Voice
James Taylor’s Anaheim concert ended with his son Henry beside him for “You Can Close Your Eyes.” Their blended voices,…
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