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Beneath the gentle exterior of Jose Gonzalez's soothing, lilting voice and trademark "chord-picking" guitar lies a deeper and sometimes darker driving force. For KUT's Retread Sessions, Gonzalez performed two songs at the Blanton Museum to pleasantly surprised visitors.

The new CD by minimalist composer Terry Riley is a spiritual and personal journey for the composer. In Atlantis Nath, Riley uses common sounds such as street sounds, his keyboard playing and his voice to take the listener on a journey. Michelle Mercer has a review.

A new play about Iraq is drawing strong reviews in New York. Nine Parts of Desire is a solo performance by Iraqi-American actor Heather Raffo, who gives voice to nine different Iraqi women. NPR's Deborah Amos reports.

Emeline Michel has been called the "queen of Haitian song," and her voice conjurs visions of beaches with lapping surf and the brown faces of the people of her island homeland. She talks to NPR's Allison Keyes about the message of her music.

Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Jim Noir has crafted an album that's one part ear candy and one part sunshine. Sung in a whispery voice that recalls Simon & Garfunkel, his songs are nostalgic and sometimes naive, but still infectious and fun.

To honor the voices stilled when the Twin Towers were destroyed Sept. 11, a team of independent radio producers set out to compile a "sonic memorial" -- an audio project commemorating the life and history of the World Trade Center. This story introduces that project.

He had one of the most gorgeous voices ever to sing a love song. But during his lifetime, Johnny Hartman was known only to hardcore jazz lovers. It was after his death when he finally made it to the top of the jazz charts.

Four-time Tony winner Audra McDonald has starred on Broadway with a soprano voice that draws comparisons to Barbara Streisand. As she opens the seventh season of Lincoln Center's American Songbook series, she talks about the joys of being onstage.

They're an odd couple. Angel-voiced Scot Isobel Campbell and gravelly grunge rocker Mark Lanegan of Seattle combine their talents on the CD Ballad of the Broken Seas. Campbell tells Liane Hansen about life after Belle and Sebastian.

Take six African-American women, blend their voices in a mix of gospel, blues and jazz and what you get is Sweet Honey in the Rock. The Grammy Award-winning ensemble performs and talks about their unique style, and a career that spans three decades.

Hayden's "Worthy of Your Esteem" demonstrates why the singer-songwriter was never meant to be a Beck-level star. The arrangement is pure bedroom-tapes quality, and he still sings in an unassuming, plaintive voice that approaches a mumble. Still, the song is a nuanced beauty.

We were introduced to new voices like Alabama Shakes, Alt-J, Kishi Bashi and Lianne La Havas. Lana Del Rey released her major label debut, Born To Die, along with Frank Ocean's Channel Orange.

Brooke, Samantha and Mollie McClymont have topped the charts Down Under. Now, they're bringing their voices topside: The McClymonts recently moved to Nashville and released a new album, Wrapped Up Good. Here, they speak with host Scott Simon.

It has been nearly 40 years since Richie Havens kicked off Woodstock with a three-hour set. With one of the most recognizable voices in popular music, Havens' fiery and soulful singing style has inspired and electrified audiences for decades.

After backing Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis, The Watson Twins shouldn't be overshadowed much longer. "Waves" features the crystalline, aqueous beauty of Chandra Watson's voice, perfectly set off by music that seems to hum just below the surface.

Refined Elizabethan music might not come to mind when you think of Sting. Think again. The rock star has released Songs of the Labyrinth, a new CD of songs for voice and lute by John Dowland, one of that era's most important composers.

For An Invitation, George wrote the songs with just her voice and a guitar, then sent them away to master arranger Van Dyke Parks. The result is a lushly orchestrated, theatrical song cycle, which buoys George's unique vocal phrasing with a small orchestra.

The Rev. Jerry Falwell, a pioneer among televangelists who later became a leading voice in the national debate over Christian values, has died at the age of 73. Falwell was found unconscious Tuesday in his office at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.

Oscar Brand, host of WNYC's "Folksong Festival," died Friday at age 96. He hosted the program for 70 years, and he was also host of NPR's "Voices in the Wind." His show featured interviews with and songs by many of the greats of folk music.

More than 35,000 new voters registered at Vote.org after the singer posted a link on her Instagram Stories. "I've heard you raise your voices, and I know how powerful they are," Swift wrote.