Search results for

The music of the Asylum Street Spankers hails from the early 20th century, but many of their lyrics are modern enough to be too naughty for NPR. Key players Christina Marrs and Wammo tell Jacki Lyden about their "postmodern jug band."

King Sunny Ade is one of the founders of world music. The Nigerian star and his band have toured the U.S. many times, but never African style, which includes interactive elements known as "spraying" and "praise singing." King Sunny Ade tells Scott Simon how American fans are responding.

Many people first encountered actress Carrie Fisher as a faded holograph image beamed from the R2-D2 unit in 1977's Star Wars. Since then, the apparition known as Princess Leia has become a dominant cultural image. Fisher remembers some choice lines in a 2004 interview with Fresh Air.

The Bush administration is overhauling the rules on who's eligibile for overtime pay, and who isn't. But, as many workers have learned, qualifying for overtime on paper doesn't necessarily mean you'll get paid. NPR's Kathleen Schalch reports.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry chooses Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina as his running mate. Edwards, who challenged Kerry for the presidential nomination, was the popular choice of many Democrats. The decision was announced this morning via an e-mail the campaign sent to Kerry supporters. Hear NPR's Scott Horsley and NPR's Michele Norris.

When Hmong hill tribesmen fled their native Laos after the Vietnam War, many ended up in neighboring Thailand, where they have lived in poverty for decades. Last December, some 15,000 of these stateless citizens were offered citizenship in the United States. The first of the Hmong refugees are arriving at various destinations in the United States this week. Doualy Xaykaothao traveled to the refugee camp near Tham Krabock temple in central Thailand to report on preparations for their departure.

The federal government recently sold 155 acres on the top of a landmark mountain in Crested Butte, Colo., for just $5 per acre under the terms of an 1872 mining law. Many are calling for the overhaul of an antiquated law that lets mining interests buy prime real estate at dirt-cheap prices, without owing the federal government or taxpayers a penny in royalties. NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports.

Almost 4,000 young Sudanese fled civil war to reach safety in the United States. A graphic novel, Echoes of the Lost Boys of Sudan, tells their harrowing stories.

Rev. Gary Davis was not only an ordained minister, he was also an incredible guitar player. As a blues musician, he played both popular Tin Pan Alley tunes and ragtime, incorporating his own unique style. Rev. Gary Davis influenced many folk musicians of the 1960s and '70s. Meredith Ochs reviews the work of Reverend Davis and the recent box set of his work called Demons and Angels. (4:45) The CD is called Demons and Angels: The Ultimate Collection by Rev. Gary Davis, from Shanachie Entertainment.

We continue our Band to Call Your Own series this week with more music picks from NPR listeners. We got so many great suggestions we decided to feature more of the standouts this week.