Music

Troubled singer Amy Winehouse dead at 27
Amy Winehouse, the beehived soul-jazz diva whose self-destructive habits overshadowed a distinctive musical talent, was found dead Saturday in her London home, police said. She was 27.
What makes a great concert?
In anticipation of this weekend's sold-out U2 concert at TCF Bank stadium, Midmorning examines the elements that make a great rock concert.
Defending U2 against the cynics (including myself)
By Bill Wareham, MPR News When the topic of this Saturday’s U2 concert came up in our morning editorial meeting, it exposed a cultural divide far deeper than one might expect among this rather homogeneous group of 40- and 50-somethings. On one side of the gulf there was open derision of the Irish rockers as…
The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor, CSNY, and the Lost Story of 1970
In his latest book, David Browne tells the story of 1970's four most iconic albums, setting the life and times of each artist against the chaotic cultural backdrop of the day. Browne joins NPR's Ann Powers to discuss how the 60's ended and the 70's began.
Musical nomads deliver the 'wow' factor
Featuring horns instead of guitars, and a frontwoman who looks as if she had been lifted from another century, the music of Davina and the Vagabonds doesn't fit the traditional Minneapolis indie rock mold.
Minnesota Orchestra gives amateur musicians chance to join in
The Minnesota Orchestra announced a fantasy camp for amateur musicians in September which will culminate playing a concert with the full orchestra.
'Pianos on Parade' lends music, quirkiness to streets
Call it random quirkiness or a moment of spontaneous community, but on the streets of St. Paul it's the summer of the upright piano.
The Josh Ritter song which became a novel
Critics describe Josh Ritter as an heir to the musical story-telling tradition of such greats as Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. Now he's about to publish his debut novel which he says grew out of a song he couldn't fit on his most recent album.
E Street Band sax player Clarence Clemons dies
Clarence Clemons, the larger-than-life saxophone player for the E Street Band who was one of the key influences in Bruce Springsteen's life and music through four decades, has died of complications from a stroke he suffered about a week ago. He was 69.
Neko Case is perhaps the best-known and most adored member of the Canadian indie supergroup the New Pornographers. When that band played Rock the Garden in 2008, Neko couldn't make it, so her appearance at this year's show marks a homecoming of sorts.