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Sometimes, an idea is so perverse and bizarre that it needs to be carried out and followed to its logical end.

Loudon Wainwright's new double album, High Wide and Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project, is a tribute to the old-time country banjo player who died in 1931. The singer-songwriter explains the motivations behind the project — and why Poole was such an influential country pioneer.

The current political situation sent Firewater's Tod A. around the world to discover more music and culture. The musicians he met inspired him to return home and share what he gained. In an interview and performance from KEXP, Tod A. reveals the fruits of his travels.

Pianist Laurence Hobgood has been a fixture on the Chicago jazz scene for years. He has recently come to prominence as pianist, musical director and co-producer for the much-celebrated jazz singer Kurt Elling. The pianist gives an interview and performance on Piano Jazz.

Though the Congolese music known as soukous was Africa's biggest pop-music style in the '70s and '80s, it only reached the U.S. in bits and pieces. But a new anthology by the musician known as Franco goes a long way toward completing the puzzle.

McCartney and Youth returned to work as The Fireman for their third and latest release together, Electric Arguments. McCartney entered the studio, without any material, and recorded 13 songs in 13 days. The legendary artist reveals how his alter ego allows him the freedom to experiment.

The former American Idol contestant, whom Paula Abdul dubbed "one funky white boy," just made Fight for Love, his second album since the competition. Yamin dishes on his soul sound, his time in the TV spotlight and, of course, his mom.

Slumdog Millionaire composer A.R. Rahman produced a driving, powerful score that's already earned a Golden Globe. His organic approach to writing draws on a simple desire to make people smile when they listen. The eclectic soundtrack also features collaborations with singer M.I.A.

Laxalt will take on incumbent Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto in November in a high-stakes race as Democrats try to hold on to their slim majority in the upper chamber.

Alan Held makes an impression as the mysterious title character in Wagner's The Flying Dutchman, at the Washington National Opera.

"Oh wow," comedian Chris Rock said in response to the Smith attack. Rock did not physically retaliate, though the rest of his words were muted on American TV stations.

A roundup of key developments and the latest in-depth coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The former vice presidential candidate filed with the Federal Election Commission to run for the late Don Young's House seat. Former President Trump endorsed Palin on Sunday.

NPR's Juana Summers speaks with Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona about grant funds the administration is making available for HBCUs that have recently experienced a bomb threat.

The long-running daytime show The Wendy Williams Show, which had a reputation for being raw and irreverent, is ending. It will be succeeded by a show hosted by its producer Sherri Shepherd.

A roundup of key developments and the latest in-depth coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Malaysian man recognized as having an intellectual disability has been on death row since 2010 for trying to smuggle less than 1.5 ounces of heroin into Singapore.

Deanna Witkowski draws on a variety of influences — from Chopin to Cole Porter to a relatively unknown Brazilian rhythm called baião. It's no wonder the pianist finds her music going in different directions — sometimes within the same song — as in her "Wide Open Window." Hear Liane Hansen's performance chat with Witkowski in NPR's Studio 4A.

Years ago, the tombstones of Richard Hickock and Perry Smith -- the two killers portrayed in Truman Capote's In Cold Blood -- mysteriously disappeared. Now they have resurfaced at a museum that won't put them on display. Harriet Baskas reports on a Kansas museum's dilemma as part of the "Hidden Treasures" series.

To freshen up your DVD queue, this Bob Mondello suggests Anything Goes, a Cole Porter musical that was performed live on TV — with unexpected, yet, hilarious results — by Ethel Merman and Frank Sinatra.