The welcoming phrase that serves as the title to the 18th volume in our Live at the World Cafe series puts you the listener in a very good place indeed. As we move to our new World Café studio these songs will always remind us of what will forever be the “old World Cafe.”

Latin Roots on World Cafe

Latin Roots is a bi-weekly series on the World Cafe program, hosted by David Dye, and made possible by the Wyncote Foundation. In this new series, David Dye explores the vast variety of music from Spanish-speaking countries and people. From the standards like cumbia, mambo and son to Latin rock and even reggaeton, we’ll hear it all.

The series airs every other Thursday during the second hour of the World Cafe program, and will delve into the musical styles and genres of Spanish influence with a rotating series of guests. With each segment, David Dye and his guest will explore two related songs, current and old, and discuss their unique characteristics, how they relate and where they fit into the spectrum of Latin music.

Latin Roots #1: Salsa, With a Difference

Latin music expert, Aaron Luis Levinson sits down with David Dye and shares his take on the music, beat and culture of Salsa. Levinson, a member of the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, is a Grammy-winning producer, musician, composer and owner of Range Recording Studios in Ardmore, PA. You'll hear music from Bio Ritmo and Cortijo on today's segment.

Latin Roots will feature other expert guests including Felix Contreras, a reporter and producer for NPR's Arts Desk and the co-host of Alt.Latino, NPR's new web-based program about Latin alternative music. Tom Moon will also serve as a guest contributor. Moon is a Music Reviewer for NPR and has been writing about pop, rock, jazz, blues, hip-hop and music across the globe for more than 25 years.

For more World Cafe Latin music moments, and to listen to this session, visit our page at WorldCafe.NPR.org. There you will find links to interviews and performances with artists like Juana Molina, Ximena Sarinana, Ana Tijoux and Puerto Plata, as well as a Spotify playlist inspired by each segment currated by the guest.

Latin Roots #2: The Late Resurgence Of Cumbia

To introduce us to a corner of Latin roots music called Cumbia, Grammy-winning producer and record label owner Aaron Levinson is in the studio. Affiliated with a number of professional recording academies and societies, this internationally known musician also owns a recording studio in Ardmore and has consistently received recognition for his work with Latin music. In the studio today, Aaron and David talk about the origin and evolution of Cumbia, including its late resurgence in popularity in New York, and listen to songs by Bomba Estereo and Rodolfo Y Su Tipica.

Cumbia is the manifestation of a melding of cultures, and it originated in Colombia. Mixing the music of native Colombians, slaves from Africa, and Spanish colonizers, Cumbia first rose to prominence in the 1960s on the coasts of Colombia. It made its way across the continents, evolving for Mexican and Peruvian listeners, and eventually reaching the United States in the 21st century. Cumbia enthusiasm was rekindled in Colombia as New York artists began to popularize the historically courtship dance music. In the interview, Aaron and David explore the many forms of Cumbia--from the hip-hop elements in today's cumbia to the geographical understanding of cumbia to traditional Cumbia elements of many drums, claves, guitars, clarinet, and flute.

Vist our page at WorldCafe.NPR.org for the interview and performance, along with a Spotify playlist inspired by this segment.

Latin Roots #3 - The Backbone of Latin Music, Clave

This session of Latin Roots is devoted to all things "clave." Music journalist Tom Moon sat down with our host, David Dye, to discuss the history of clave in Latin Music. Clave, which means code or key, functions as such rhythmically. Tom Moon explains how clave was introduced to Cuba and how it played into different trends and movements within Cuban music. Moon walks us through the Cuban standard, "Bruca Manigua," and the unexpected return to clave in Luis Enrique's "Yo No Se Manana." He also discusses how clave has been incorporated into music outside of the Latin world- from Johnny Otis to Bruce Springsteen.

Tom Moon began his career in music studying professional saxophone at University of Miami's School of Music. He played in back-up bands, orchestras and even cruises, but found himself drawn to the world of music journalism when he started to freelance write for the Miami Herald. Moon went on to write for GQ, Rolling Stone, Vibe and NPR, including All Things Considered and World Cafe. Moon has won multiple awards for his work in music journalism, including a "Heroes" award from the Recording Academy. He has also published a book, "1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die." "1,000 Recordings" is, as Moon puts it, "an exploration" into music from all over the world, including, of course, instances of clave.

Listen to Tom Moon's World Cafe Latin Roots session on WorldCafe.NPR.org.
Listen to Tom's essential playlist on Spotify.

Latin Roots #4 - Festejo, Afro-Peruvian music with Novalima

Explore the roots of Afro-Peruvian music with Novalima in this segment of Latin Roots from World Cafe.

Originating in coastal Peru and comprised of contributions from African, Spanish, and South American cultures, festejo takes its name from 'fiesta', the Spanish word for festival. It is often accompanied by a competitive and lively dancing, as well as call-and-response vocals, a celebration put to music and tied to historical roots. In this interview, David Dye talks with Novalima members Grimaldo Del Solar (arranger, artwork, composer, programming) and Alfonso Montesinos (bass) about this 100-year-old style of festejo, and the several different forms it can take through varying rhythms. Festejo has influenced their live improvisations, and inspired Novalima to become less like a studio project and more spontaneous.

The title of Novalima's latest single, "Festejo," takes it's name from this popular form of celebratory Peruvian music.

Check out the Spotify Playlist for Festejo. Listen to the archived session on WorldCafe.NPR.org.

Latin Roots #5 - Tumbao

Tom Moon looks at tumbao - what the pianst does, and muntuno - the beat that the other musicians play. Montuno is a kind of syncopated piano vamp often used in traditional Cuban music. A 'vamp' is a repetitive musical accompaniment or phrase, often found in jazz, gospel, and soul. A 'vamp' is to those genres as a 'riff' is to rock music or a 'loop' is to hip hop. The literal translation of montuno is 'from the mountains', and it is often at the heart of Cuban dance music, giving piano players a range of harmonizing phrases to use.

David Dye talks with music journalist Tom Moon as they play a couple of montuno-based songs from well-known artists such as Rodrigo Y Gabriela and Eddie Palmieri. Tom Moon is a well-known writer and musician whose work has been featured in big name publications such as GQ, Rollingstone, and Vibe. He's also a professional saxophonist, and he's received accolades such as the ASCAP-Deems Taylor Music Journalism award. Given his experience playing Latin music, Moon gives insight into what it takes to reshape traditional music into something new.

Listen to the archived session at WorldCafe.NPR.org. And, check out the Tumbao Spotify playlist

Latin Roots #6 - Josh Norek on Latin Hip Hop March 22

On this sixth segment of the Latin Roots music series, the co-host and executive producer of The Latin Alternative - a one hour radio show of Latin funk, hip-hop, and electronica - (http://www.facebook.com/TheLatinAlternative) is in the studio to introduce Latin hip hop. Josh Norek is also a musician, producer, and journalist who currently works for the Latin indie label Nacional Records as VP of Business Affairs & Digital Relations. He and David Dye will explore some of the history and current directions of Latin hip hop. Arising first on the West Coast during the '80s and '90s, Latin hip hop was the manifestation of the mixing of cultures. As young members of the Hispanic population became exposed to urban rap sounds and shaped it into their own style, their beats began to spread from LA to the East Coast and then down through Mexico and South America. Artists began to incorporate Spanish language and other genres by turn (such as jazz in the case of Ana Tijoux and klezmer in the case of Norek's Hip Hop Hoodios), and Latin hip hop itself has become an influential musical force across the globe.

In this session, David Dye and Josh Norek explore the cultural dispersion that has helped create Latin hip hop. On both sides of the border, young artists began to sample their parents' music and combine it with the sound of burgeoning hip hop groups such as NWA. Since then, the genre has matured and become an influence in its own right. Norek plays from Tres Delinquentes, who he describes as the first 'post-racial' Latin Hip Hop crew, and also outlines the spread of the genre into South America with a smooth trip-hop arrangement from Ana Tijoux.

Check out the Spotify playlist for The Rise of Latin Hip Hop. Listen to the full session at WorldCafe.NPR.org.

Latin Roots #7 - Latin Funk w/ Josh Norek - April 5, 2012

On this seventh segment of the Latin Roots Music Series, Josh Norek is back. The co-host and executive producer of The Latin Alternative - a one hour radio show of Latin funk, hip-hop, and electronica - (http://www.facebook.com/TheLatinAlternative) is in the studio to lay down some Latin funk beats and describe the origins of this genre. Norek is also a musician, producer, and journalist who currently works for the Latin indie label Nacional Records as VP of Business Affairs & Digital Relations.

In this World Cafe session, Josh Norek and David Dye explore the cultural roots of Latin funk, a mixing of Latin grooves and Afro-American funk. It's been evolving for over forty years now, arising out of urban centers and the earlier salsa + R&B mixes such as boogaloo. Given the melting pot that is New York, the exposure of young musicians to variants of jazz, soul, funk, and the diversity of Latin rhythms and instrumentation created an environment of experimentation. Norek describes the ties of Latin funk to the Latino pride movement, and plays a song from the famous Latin percussionist Ray Barretto that expresses this pride. Then Norek describes the diversification of Latin funk over the last few decades, and spins a track from the latest retro Latin funk release by Venezuelan outfit Los Amigos.

Check out the Latin Funk Spotify playlist

Congratulations to our Winners!
Region 1 - Laurence (Dutch) Klugman of Philadelphia, PA, a WXPN listener; Region 2 - Billie Stewart of Cresson, Texas, a KXTT listener; Region 3 - Dan Braun of Denver, CO, a KUNC listener

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These rules govern the World Cafe® National Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”), which shall begin at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time (“ET”) on 08/15/2011 and end at 11:59 p.m. ET on 09/15/2011 (“Entry Period”). 

Eligibility:  The Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the 49 continental United States (including Alaska but excluding Hawaii) and the District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry.  Anyone who has, since February 15, 2011, been employed by or performed services (including, but not limited to, services as consultants, independent contractors, or interns) for Station WXPN(FM), Philadelphia, PA (“WXPN”), The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, in its capacity as the licensee of WXPN; National Public Radio; visitphilly.com; or the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (collectively, the “Sponsors”), and each of their respective parent, subsidiary, and affiliated entities, and their advertising and promotional agencies (collectively, the “Sweepstakes Entities”), and members of their households, whether or not related, and immediate families (spouses, parents, siblings, children and each of their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) are not eligible to enter or win the prize.  This Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, and is void outside of the contiguous United States and in any jurisdiction where prohibited or restricted by law.  Entrants are required to provide truthful information and WXPN will reject and delete any entry that it discovers to be false or fraudulent.  WXPN will disqualify any entry from individuals who do not meet the eligibility requirements and will also delete any entry as required by law.

How to Enter:  To enter, visit WorldCafe.npr.org online and follow the links and instructions to enter the Sweepstakes during the Entry Period.  Complete the online entry form by submitting your first name and last name, complete mailing address, city, state, zip code, telephone number, date of birth, call sign of the radio station where you listen to World Cafe, and a valid email address, and click on “enter”.  At the time of entry, entrants shall be assigned to one (1) of three (3) geographic regions (each, a “Region”) based on their mailing address; the states comprising each Region are listed below.  Only one (1) Grand Prize will be awarded for each Region. 

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Grand Prize:  A total of three (3) Grand Prize trips to Philadelphia, PA to attend the World Cafe® 20th Anniversary Celebration Weekend will be awarded in the Sweepstakes to each Grand Prize winner.  The Grand Prize Winner may bring a guest, who must be 18 years of age or older as of the date of the Grand Prize drawing.  Each Grand Prize shall include: (i) (a) prize certificate(s) valid for two (2) round-trip coach-class airfare to Philadelphia from a major airport near winner’s residence (determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion) OR (b) two (2) round trip train tickets to Philadelphia from a major train station near winner’s residence (as determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion); (ii) three (3) consecutive nights’ hotel accommodations for the winner and his/her guest (single standard room; double occupancy, room and room tax only) at a hotel of Sponsors’ choice; (iii) $200 in gift certificates for meals at restaurant(s) of Sponsors’ choice; (iv) two (2) City Passes for admissions to local attractions; and (v) admission for two (2) to the World Cafe® 20th Anniversary Celebration Weekend events on 10/28/2011 through 10/30/2011.  Each winner is solely responsible for all other taxes, baggage fees, transportation to and from the airport or train station (if applicable), gratuities, other meals, and all other incidental expenses not listed specifically in these rules.  The Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”) of each Grand Prize is between $1,500 and $3,000, depending on the travel expenses from point of origin.  Total ARV of all three Grand Prizes is between $4,500 and $9,000.  The actual value of the travel portion of each Grand Prize may vary depending on city of departure, dates and times of travel, and airfare fluctuations and hotel charges at the time of travel bookings.  Actual value of the Grand Prize awarded may be lower or higher at the time it is fulfilled.  Any difference between actual value and stated approximate retail value will not be awarded.  World Cafe 20th Anniversary Celebration Weekend Grand Prizes provided courtesy of visitphilly.com; and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation.

Prize Conditions:  Specific dates of travel, air carrier(s), and hotel are at the sole discretion of Sponsors or their designee(s).  Sponsors are not responsible for changes in scheduling of any element of Grand Prize travel.  Travel arrangements must be made through Sponsors or its designee(s).  If a Grand Prize winner cannot travel on dates specified by WXPN, the winner may be disqualified and, time permitting, an alternate winner may be selected in the sole discretion of WXPN.  Grand Prize may be subject to availability of individual components.  The prizes are expressly limited to the dates and item(s) listed above and unless otherwise expressly specified, do not include taxes, gratuities or any other expenses.  All other costs and expenses not specifically stated herein, including but not limited to those of, taxes, meals, tips and ground transportation to/from the airport and/or to/from the hotel, are solely the responsibility of each winner.  Grand Prize winner and guest will be required to provide valid U.S. Federal or state government issued photo ID at time of travel.  The names and dates of birth provided in all required documents must exactly match the names and dates of birth as they appear on the photo IDs to be presented by Grand Prize winner and guest at the time of travel.  Each winner and guest must travel on the same itinerary with the same departure date and return date.  No changes will be made to travel details once any element(s) of the travel arrangements have been booked except at Sponsors’ sole discretion.  All travel tickets issued in conjunction with Grand Prize may not be eligible for frequent flyer miles or any other promotional benefit.  Sponsors will not replace any lost or stolen tickets, travel vouchers or certificates or similar items once they are in the possession of Grand Prize winner.  Each Grand Prize winner may be required to present a valid credit card upon hotel check in to cover any incidental expenses incurred during their stay.  Prior to traveling, each Grand Prize Winner must sign and return to WXPN the Sweepstakes Winner Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability and Publicity Release and the guest must sign and return to WXPN the Sweepstakes Winner’s Guest/Travel Companion Liability and Publicity Release.  If a selected prize related event is unable to take place as scheduled, for reasons such as cancellation, preemption, postponement or unavailability, or for any reason beyond the control of the Sponsors, the Sponsors’ sole responsibility to the winner(s) will be to award the remaining available portion of the prize and no substitution or compensation will be provided for the unawarded portion of the prize.  Each prize is non-transferable and may not be substituted, and there is no cash equivalent for prizes, except that the Sponsors may, at their sole discretion, substitute prizes or cash of equal or greater value. 

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and (ii) that the Released Parties shall have no liability and will be held harmless for any liability, loss, injury or damage, including, without limitation, personal injury, death or damage to personal or real property, to entrant or any other person or entity due in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by reason of the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of a prize (including any travel or related activity or attendance at a performance) or participation in this Sweepstakes.  If for any reason this Sweepstakes cannot be executed as planned, including, but not limited to, as a result of infection by computer virus, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of the Sponsors that corrupt or affect the security, administration, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes, or if the Sweepstakes is compromised or becomes technically corrupted in any way, electronically or otherwise, WXPN reserves the right to cancel, terminate, suspend or modify the Sweepstakes.  If the Sweepstakes is terminated before the original end date, WXPN reserves the right to select the winners by random drawing from among all eligible non-suspect entries received as of the termination time/date or otherwise modify the procedure for selecting winners.  Released Parties shall not be liable to a winner or any other person for failure to supply a prize or any part thereof, by reason of any acts of God, any action(s), regulation(s), order(s) or request(s) by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity (whether or not the action(s), regulation(s), order(s) or request(s) prove(s) to be invalid), equipment failure, terrorist acts, earthquake, war, fire, flood, explosion, unusually severe weather, hurricane, embargo, labor dispute or strike (whether legal or illegal), labor or material shortage, transportation interruption of any kind, work slow-down, civil disturbance, insurrection, riot, or any other cause beyond Sponsors’  control (each a “Force Majeure” event or occurrence).  Released Parties shall not be liable to a winner or any other person for cancellations, delays, diversions or substitutions or any act or omissions whatsoever by the air carrier(s), or other transportation companies, hotel(s), or any other persons providing any of these services and accommodations to passengers including any results thereof such as changes in services or accommodations necessitated by same, or loss or damage to baggage.  WXPN, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any person tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes website.  Failure to comply with the rules of the Sweepstakes may result in an entrant’s disqualification and/or forfeiture of any prize or prizes.  If WXPN makes a good faith determination that an entrant has cheated or committed fraudulent activity in connection with a Sweepstakes, WXPN reserves the right to disqualify that entrant from entering and/or winning future Sweepstakes and to prosecute and seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law.  If due to circumstances beyond the control of WXPN, any competition or prize-related event or travel is delayed, rescheduled, postponed or cancelled, WXPN reserves the right, but not the obligation, to cancel, terminate, suspend, or modify the Sweepstakes and shall not be required to award a substitute prize.  The Sponsors are not responsible for (i) typographical or other errors in the printing, the offering or the administration of the Sweepstakes or in the announcement of a prize or (ii) entries not received due to difficulty accessing the internet, service outage or delays, computer difficulties and other technological problems.  In the event that a prize or prize certificate is mailed to the winner, it will be with the prior written consent of the winner and therefore, winner assumes the risk of its loss.  The Sponsors are not responsible for the safe arrival of a prize or prize certificate.

Disputes:  Each entrant agrees that: (i) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Sweepstakes or any prizes awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate courts located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, U.S.A.; (ii) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Sweepstakes, but in no event include attorneys’ fees; and (iii) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages (other than for actual permitted out-of-pocket expenses) and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased.  SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.  All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the entrant and Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, U.S.A., without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, U.S.A. or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Official Rules and Winner List:  For a copy of these Official Rules, send a self-addressed stamped envelope (VT residents may omit return postage) for receipt by 09/15/2011 to “World Cafe® National Sweepstakes Official Rules,” c/o WXPN Promotions, 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.  For the names of the prize winners send a self-addressed stamped envelope (VT residents may omit return postage) for receipt by 11/15/2011 to “World Cafe® National Sweepstakes Winner List” at the same address.  The Official Rules and the Winner List (when completed) shall also be available online at WorldCafe.npr.org.

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©2011 The Trustees of the University. All rights reserved.

Inside World Cafe's Ireland Adventure

Check out the great photos from World Cafe Travel Adventure to Ireland

www.flickr.com

See More Ireland Photos

Live Concert Broadcast and Webcast Fridays At Noon

From NPR Music and WXPN, hear a live mix of roots rock, folk, country and more.

Made possible by XPN Members, and Comcast.
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May 8, 2009
Fastball at World Cafe Live

XPN Free at Noon at World Cafe Live.
A co-production of WXPN and NPR Music.

Starting out as a typical '90s garage-punk outfit, Fastball went through the normal basement practices and nearby venues in Austin. While building local buzz, they caught the attention of some record execs, and soon they had a deal with Hollywood Records. They changed their initial name from Magneto USA to Fastball (after their favorite porno), released their debut, and began touring the U.S. However, the band was still something of a side-project for all three members. Joey Shuffield, Miles Zuniga, and Tony Scalzo were all working part-time up until the release of their breakthrough album in 1998, All the Pain Money Can Buy.

Suddenly, Fastball was a household name. The catchy single "The Way" was heard on radios all over the country. Teens and adults alike were flocking to stores for cassettes and CDs, and sales reached the million mark at the end of the year. Fastball hit the road for world tours and TV appearances with two Grammy nominations under their belts. Audiences around the globe fell in love with the Fastball's alt-country and '70s balladry.

Since that time, Fastball has been recording, performing, and collaborating with artists including Al Anderson and Bowling for Soup. Each of their subsequent four albums have stayed true to their infectious pop-rock sound. Their latest album is no exception, yet it also shows how much the band has evolved since those late-night garage practices. Little White Lies was produced by Miles Zuniga and C.J. Eiriksson (Blue October, Jack’s Mannequin) and mixed by Bob Clearmountain (Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie). Fastball wowed audiences with some of their new songs from the album at the SXSW Festival this past March, and they have a nation-wide tour scheduled to support the release. After over a decade of shows and music, Fastball are proving that quality guitar rock will never lose its appeal.

Fastball is in town to play the Tin Angel on Thursday night, May 7.

Website: fastballtheband.com
MySpace: myspace.com/fastballtheband
Recent Release: Little White Lies
Release Date: April 14, 2009
Label: MRI/RED Distribution
Origin: Austin, TX

Song Clips:
Little White Lies | The Way

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When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

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From NPR Music and WXPN, hear a live mix of roots rock, folk, country and more.

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March 6, 2009
Celebrating the 4th Anniversary of XPN Free At Noon with
Shemekia Copeland & Indigo Girls at World Cafe Live

Shemekia Copeland & Indigo Girls join us for the XPN Free at Noon show at World Cafe Live.
A co-production of WXPN and NPR Music.

Grammy Award winning rock duo Indigo Girls officialy began performing under the now famous moniker in 1985, signing their first record contract to Epic Records three years later. Now celebrating their 20 year career, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers remain as creative as ever. Though they are associated with a major label, they have always retained an independent feel with their warm and crisp acoustic guitars and intertwined melodic vocals. With an incredible career behind them, it is not surprising that a great deal of excitement is building up in anticipation of Poseidon And the Bitter Bug, expected to be released at the end of March.

Recorded in a short three-week period in Atlanta, the album intends to focus less on perfection and more on the rich mixture of textures explored. According to Ray "... it was very much an in-the-moment recording... we had to trust our instincts." Following the successful release of their 2006 album Despite Our Differences, the girls have a lot to live up to; however, circulating previews are already labeling the album as one of their best. Though they retain the very qualities of folk and Americana music that fans adore, they have embarked on new musical explorations by incorporating styles such as R&B. The album will also feature acoustic versions of all the songs in order to give fans an idea of how they sound without a back-up band.

Website: indigogirls.com
MySpace: myspace.com/indigogirlsmusic
Origin: Decatur, Georgia
Recent Release: Poseidon and the Bitter Bug
Release Date: March 24, 2009
Label: Vanguard

Song Clips:
Closer to Fine | Hammer and a Nail

The daughter of blues guitarist/singer Johnny Copeland, the young Shemekia Copeland was greatly influenced by her father's work. As a child she would often accompany him on tours, making her own mark in the blues circuit. The unfortunate turn in her father's health pushed her to embrace her incredible vocal talent and share it with the rest of the world. In 1998, the 19-year-old established herself as raving new artist with the release of her debut album Turn the Heat Up! The soulful intensity of the album was met with a great deal of enthusiasm and landed her several features in motion pictures. Her style, which integrates elements of blues, soul, funk and jazz, is rich and mind-blowingly powerful. Though she is not yet 30, the passionate singer has already won several blues awards, recieved a Grammy nomination, and opened for top acts such as the Rolling Stones, B.B. King, and Taj Mahal.

The incredible list of accomplishments hasn't quite struck the young artist. In fact, the humble Copeland continually strives to strengthen her singing and grow and an individual. Her fifth album, Never Going Back, is a powerful and soul-drenched compilation of tracks. While she remains true to her blues roots, she takes a step further in her career by experimenting with new styles of music and new approaches to singing (including a silky cover of Joni Mitchell's "Black Crow"). She is not afraid to step outside of her comfort zone; and as the album demonstrates, she does so with both grace and unbelievable power.

Prepare to be blown away by the future Queen of Blues, this Friday at noon!

Website: shemekiacopeland.com
MySpace: myspace.com/shemekiacopeland
Origin: Chicago, Illinois
Recent Release: Never Going Back
Release Date: February 24, 2009
Label: Telarc

Song Clips:
Never Going Back to Memphis

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Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities

When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!

Sense of Place - World Cafe visited Dublin in April 2011 as the first stop in our quarterly series Sense of Place. And, Portland, Oregon - the Mecca for all things indie, in September, 2011. Come browse around and experience these cities with us and get a taste of the local music scene. Sense of Place series was made possible by a grant from The Wyncote Foundation.

Latin Roots - a bi-weekly series on World Cafe made possible by the Wyncote Foundation. Join David Dye as he explores the vast variety of music from Spanish-speaking countries and people. From the standards like cumbia, mambo and son to Latin rock and even reggaeton, we’ll hear it all on Latin Roots.

World Cafe Celebrated 20 Years on WXPN! - Relive the World Cafe 20th Anniversary Celebration. Concerts including live performances from Amos Lee, John Hiatt, Indigo Girls, Rhett Miller, and Tedeschi Trucks Band! Plus The Jayhawks, and Ani DiFranco. Photo galleries, free downloads, and more. You can find it all in the World Cafe 20th Archives!