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On her latest album, Comfort of Strangers, musician Beth Orton moves away from the electronica sound she is known for, relying instead on the simple sounds of her voice and guitar. Independent music critic Christian Bordal has a review.

John Sebastian is probably best known for founding The Lovin' Spoonful. And who better to talk about summertime music than the voice behind "Summer In The City"? He dishes on his favorite tune for the season: The Beach Boys' "I Get Around."

Melissa Block talks with Lolis Eric Elie, a writer and editor behind the HBO series Treme about a new cookbook written in the voices of the show's characters. Elie says it reflects both old New Orleans traditions and more recent influences.

Julia has bright red hair, big green eyes and she loves to draw. She can be a little shy, but Elmo and Abby Cadabby don't mind. She's voiced by Stacey Gordon, whose son is on the autism spectrum, too.

It's urgent. It's acrobatic. It's pulsing with raw sexuality. It's the unmistakable voice of Robert Plant. The iconic Led Zeppelin vocalist behind the wailing "Whole Lotta Love" continues to challenge his instrument on his new album, Band of Joy.

The 12-voice male a capella group Chanticleer performs holiday selections for us in NPR's Studio 4A. Their CD Christmas with Chanticleer, featuring soprano Dawn Upshaw, was released to critical acclaim last year. Their newest CD is Our American Journey.

Bluegrass hero Dan Tyminski possesses a remarkable voice and unmistakable charisma, both of which shine through on his second album, Wheels. Hear a batch of his Tyminski's songs when he stops by World Cafe to discuss his new album.

Mead's warm high-register voice lends intimacy and warmth to Almost and Always, a quiet and soulful exploration of post-marital life. Performed with the backing of woodwinds and a string quartet, Mead experiments with richly ornamented melodies. Hear him in a session on World Cafe.

Bobby Hill reviews Casandra Wilson's current cd New Moon Daughter. It is a collection of songs by contemporary songwriters done with a hushed dirgeful voice. (6:30) THE CD IS CALLED NEW MOON DAUGHTER BY CASANDRA WILSON ON BLUENOTE RECORDS. (IN S

Montreal-based singer and guitarist Amy Millan is best known for lending her voice to the excellent alt-rock groups Stars and Broken Social Scene, but her debut solo album, Honey From the Tombs, takes on a sound that's distinctly bluegrass.

When rock singers want to learn how to use their voice without ruining their vocal chords, they often turn to Melissa Cross, otherwise known as the "Scream Queen." Cross teaches metal, punk and hardcore performers how to growl, bark, bellow — and scream.

For the documentary Voices of Iraq, Iraqis received 150 video cameras and were asked to film whatever they wanted. The result is a rare look at daily life in Iraq -- the tragic, the joyful and the mundane. Filmmakers Eric Manes and Archie Drury talk with NPR's Michele Norris.

A group of Roman Catholic laity is urging Cardinal Bernard Law to step down as leader of the Boston Archdiocese. The call by Voice of the Faithful comes as Law faces growing criticism on his handling of the clergy sex abuse scandal. Hear NPR's Tovia Smith.

Being the son of a musical legend doesn't automatically qualify Sean Lennon to be a great musician, so it's a pleasant surprise to hear his beautiful, simple melodies and evocative voice. Lennon continues to develop as a musician, releasing Friendly Fire this month.

John Brady reviews In the Reins, a seven-song collaboration between soft-voiced Florida folk singer Sam Beam, who records under the name Iron and Wine, and the band Calexico — border rockers from Tucson, Ariz., known for their eclectic tastes.

Sophie Milman has a classic jazz voice that evokes smoky lounges, softly clinking glasses and the cool of the night. Her second CD, Make Someone Happy, contains her interpretations of many jazz standards, but also includes some surprising choices.

The National make thoughtful, melancholy rock in the spirit of Joy Division or Leonard Cohen, with singer Matt Berninger's warm baritone voice set against deftly orchestrated instrumentation that's as epic as it is intimate. Hear the group recorded live in concert on NPR.org.

Amos Lee's soulful folk-pop music, clear voice and grounded lyrical observations bring to mind artists such as Otis Redding and Bill Withers. Lee performed highlights from all three of his albums during a recent appearance on Mountain Stage.

As a teen idol, Dion rose to fame in the late 1950s and early '60s. Considered a doo-wop pioneer, the voice behind classics like "The Wanderer" and "Runaround Sue" is crooning the blues. With Bronx in Blue, Dion revisits his roots.

The muted beat that opens Rose Kemp's "Tiny Flower" is nothing but modern: It sounds like feet crunching in snow, but had it been mixed higher, it might have sounded like something unleashed by hip-hop producer Timbaland. Then, in swoops the voice.