Live Music Picks
Live performances, memorable recordings and close looks at the songs and artists behind them.
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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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Yukie Ota Keeps Sancan’s Sonatine Moving as a Butterfly Takes the Spotlight
A butterfly settled on Yukie Ota’s forehead during her 2014 Carl Nielsen competition performance, but her flute line continued. With…
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Together at the Farewell: Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton Sing “Islands in the Stream”
At Kenny Rogers’ 2017 farewell celebration in Nashville, “Islands in the Stream” brought his voice together with Dolly Parton’s once…
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Rick Astley Meets Foo Fighters’ Full-Volume Sound at Summer Sonic
An unexpected microphone brought Rick Astley from the side of the stage into Foo Fighters’ Summer Sonic set. Their heavy…
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Lady Gaga Reopens Mister Rogers’ Invitation in “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
Lady Gaga gives Fred Rogers’ familiar theme a reflective ballad setting, drawing out the feeling inside its simple invitation. Filmed…
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Familiar Melody, Somber Message: The Raging Grannies’ “House of the Epstein Crimes”
The Santa Fe Raging Grannies bring a somber subject to the melody of “The House of the Rising Sun.” In…
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A Chorus Made for Protest: Santa Fe’s Raging Grannies Sing “Hit the Road, ICE!”
With “Hit the Road, ICE!,” the Santa Fe Raging Grannies turn an instantly recognizable refrain into a protest singalong. Granny…
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Willie Nelson’s “Heart of America” Gives a Soundtrack Song a Personal Voice
At 92, Willie Nelson brings a measured, familiar presence to “Heart of America,” recorded for The Gray House. Its ideas…
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A Familiar Question, a Lasting Partnership: Carole King and James Taylor at MusiCares
Carole King and James Taylor return to “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” with the ease of longtime musical companions. At…
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Willie Nelson’s “Heart of America”: A Soundtrack Song About Shared Belonging
Willie Nelson brings a conversational voice to “Heart of America,” a recording for The Gray House soundtrack. Released when he…
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Thirty Musicians, One Paris Square: Julien Cohen’s Street Rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody”
Julien Cohen brings the changing scale of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” into Place de la Contrescarpe in Paris. With Mickey Callisto…
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The Band Behind the Build: Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” in Houston
Journey’s Houston performance of “Don’t Stop Believin’” reveals how much the song depends on a shared build. Steve Perry’s vocal,…
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From a Quiet Verse to Shared Strength: COLOR MUSIC Sings “You Raise Me Up”
COLOR MUSIC Children’s Choir brings a shared sense of reassurance to “You Raise Me Up.” Recorded before Russia’s full-scale invasion…
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Before It Became an Anthem: Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” in Houston, 1981
Journey’s 1981 Houston recording brings the slow build of “Don’t Stop Believin’” into focus, from Jonathan Cain’s opening piano figure…
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