All Music
First LookJoyful jazz: The lasting appeal of 鈥楢 Charlie Brown Christmas鈥�Since first airing in 1965,聽Vince Guaraldi鈥檚 soundtrack for 鈥淎 Charlie Brown Christmas鈥� continues to win over generations from the gently cascading piano in 鈥淪kating,鈥� the driving melody of 鈥淟inus and Lucy,鈥� and the charm of 鈥淐hristmas Time is Here.鈥�
Community and Christmas meet in Loreena McKennitt鈥檚 latest albumLoreena McKennitt brings Celtic sounds and a community sensibility to her latest album, recorded at a聽Presbyterian church in Stratford, Ontario.
Why this popular British organist plays in the key of joyBritish musician Anna Lapwood has a classical r茅sum茅 and a growing pop culture fan base, thanks in part to viral videos that stoke viewers鈥� delight, and her own.聽
鈥楩irst lady of Indigenous music鈥�: Buffy Sainte-Marie on her storied careerFor Indigenous musician Buffy Sainte-Marie, the path forward has always been paved with patience, understanding, and a creative intuition that has kept her one step ahead of her peers.
鈥楽pirituals鈥�: Santigold鈥檚 latest album rose from pandemic resiliencePop star Santigold found her creativity stalled during the pandemic. But she used the discomfort created by lockdown situations as a tool for evolution 鈥� and resilience.
Inner dialogues: How songwriter Cass McCombs moves forwardWith the arrival of his 10th album, 鈥淗eartmind,鈥� acclaimed songwriter聽Cass McCombs discusses what inspires him to progress.
Beyonc茅鈥檚 latest album embraces the revolutionary act of choosing joyWith her new album, 鈥淩enaissance,鈥� Beyonc茅 focuses on supporting her fans, suggests our columnist, many of whom are hungry for joy.
Cover StoryAlmost famous: With merch, tours, and hope, this band rocks onWhat does it take to make a living as a musician in the modern economy? Our reporter goes on the road with genre-bending rock band Bent Knee.
Letter from Chicago: At a new exhibit, people find their inner PrinceWhen a Monitor reporter visited a new immersive experience about Prince, he came away with a sense of the joy the musician brought to his fans.
Giving Black women in pop music their due: Q&A with author of 鈥楽hine Bright鈥�Journalist and super fan Danyel Smith champions the role of Black women in pop music in 鈥淪hine Bright,鈥� which combines memoir with music history.聽
Kate Bush: The 鈥�80s icon is back. Her influence has been here all along.An 鈥�80s music icon is topping new charts, thanks to a popular Netflix show. Along with her signature sounds and style, Kate Bush the innovator is also coming into focus.
鈥楩or the Birds鈥�: Music project celebrates birdsong to save itA new project, led by a sought-after Hollywood music pro, hopes to bring attention to birds and their songs 鈥� and the preservation of both.
First LookUkrainian band Kalush Orchestra takes Eurovision crown amid warThe band took first place on a surge of popular support amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, despite strong showings from other nations鈥� competitors.
First LookAfter gloomy Oscars, Grammys and Batiste shineSinger and bandleader Jon Batiste was the star of Sunday鈥檚 Grammy Awards, taking home five and giving lively performances from his album 鈥淲e Are.鈥� The upbeat, celebratory mood of the evening stood in stark contrast to the Oscars.
After Rwandan genocide, Hutu and Tutsi women unite behind the drumIngoma Nshya is a rarity as an all-women drumming group. It also aims for something greater: to show Tutsi-Hutu tolerance.
First LookRockin' in the Spotify world: Inside Neil Young鈥檚 boycottNeil Young pulled his music off the popular streaming service Spotify last week over podcaster Joe Rogan鈥檚 controversial discussions of COVID-19. Other artists followed suit. Could the squabble put a dent in Spotify鈥檚 rise to the top of the music industry?
On Broadway: This musician is in the pits, but far from blueGuitarist Jeffrey Lee Campbell toured with Sting but then had to play weddings.聽Now a Broadway veteran, he discusses perseverance and wrangling ego.
Kevin Day: Music transformed him. Now he aims to help others.The works of 20-something composer Kevin Day are infused with his experience with perseverance, and a desire to pass that strength along to listeners.
What made albums notable in 2021? Music that connects people.How did a pandemic year affect new music? Standout 2021 albums have forged a heart-to-heart connection that鈥檚 lifted up artists and listeners alike.
Here they go again: ABBA reuniting after 40 yearsThe pandemic has acted like a Bat-Signal of sorts for ABBA, which returns with a new album, 鈥淰oyage,鈥� at a time when fans say songs like the group鈥檚 are needed.
