Ann Powers
Stories
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Music
What do musicians who blend fact and fiction owe their real life subjects?
Confessional songs are all over the pop charts, from Tyler, The Creator's Call Me If You Get Lost to Olivia Rodrigo's Sour. What do musicians who blend fact and fiction owe their real life subjects?
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Music
With New Albums, Bob Dylan, Neil Young And Willie Nelson Are As Relevant As Ever
At 79, 74 and 87 years old, respectively, these three veteran songwriters prove that it's possible to release poignant and powerful work late in an artist's career.
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Music
The New Sounds Of Protest And Hope
As demonstrations for racial equality continue across the U.S. and the world, artists have been shaping and sharing their grief, fury, resolve and vision for the future.
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Music
Finding Connection And Comfort In Live Stream Concerts During Quarantine
NPR Music reviewers pick out a few of their favorite livestream performances while live in-person concerts are currently on hold.
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Music
How The Nature Of The Music Industry Has Changed During The Pandemic
NPR's music correspondent answers questions about the changing nature of the music industry during the pandemic and talks about how some artists are trying to make ends meet.
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Music
41 Women Who Should Be In The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame
Dolly Parton, Carla Thomas, Fanny, The Runaways and Salt n Pepa are just some of the women who should be in the Hall by now.
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Music
Janis Ian Was More Than Just A Teenager
As part of NPR's series "One-Hit Wonders / Second-Best Songs," NPR Music's Ann Powers nominates "Jesse" by Janis Ian. She's known mostly for her 1975 hit "At Seventeen."
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Music
Billie Eilish Is The Class Of 2019's Weird Achiever
Emerging as a major pop star in 2019, Eilish is emblematic of her moment: a rebel who is also a popular kid, a loud cultural presence emanating from a carefully maintained private place.
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Music
The Grammy Nominees For Best New Artist Point To A Sea Change In Pop
The Grammy nominations are ripe for attempts to predict the future of popular music — but this year, we need to examine just one category to see how much everything is changing, and already has.
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Music
Turning The Tables: 8 Women Who Were Fundamental To America's Sound
The NPR Music series Turning the Tables enters its third season this week with a new concept: Which eight women were the pillars upon which American popular music was built?