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Charles de Ledesma reviews From the Brothel to the Cemetary,a new album by a London-based group called the Tiger Lillies. The group plays a wonderful assortment of instruments, but what stands out is the quality of the lead singer's voice and the oddness of the lyrics.

Candi Staton is a soul music veteran with a stirring voice that can convey the weight of anguish and the joy of rapture. Her new album, His Hands, mixes R&B and country standards, several self-penned songs, and an unlikely collaboration with Will Oldham.

DeVotchKa's sound is a surprisingly potent potpourri of cabaret, spaghetti Western, and Eastern European Gypsy songs. In "Head Honcho," Nick Urata's gorgeous voice holds the melting pot together as a lone accordion intrudes upon his reverie, insistent and beautiful.

With graduation season here, we're wondering what song takes you back to the time you left school, said goodbye to old friends and headed out on your own. Send us a voice memo or email about it.

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.