Phil Harrell

Phil Harrell appears in the following:

Lou Reed issued one of the most puzzling albums in rock history in 1975

Monday, May 06, 2024

Lou Reed's Metal Machine Music was more than an hour of feedback and noise with no noticeable structure. A new tribute album called Metal Machine Muzak interprets the spirit behind that work.

Comment

'I've been trying to do this for over 30 years' — Billy Porter sings on his terms

Monday, November 20, 2023

Following star-making roles in Broadway's Kinky Boots and FX's Pose, Billy Porter has released an original album that plays out like mini-autobiographies: Black Mona Lisa.

Comment

Nicolas Cage becomes Frumpy Krueger in 'Dream Scenario'

Thursday, November 09, 2023

In the new film Dream Scenario, Nicolas Cage plays a man who unwittingly starts showing up in other people's dreams. NPR speaks with writer and director Kristoffer Borgli.

Comment

Arnold Schwarzenegger has one main guiding principle: 'Be Useful'

Friday, October 06, 2023

Champion bodybuilder, Hollywood superstar, Governor of California — Arnold Schwarzenegger offers a few pieces of advice about living a successful life in his new book Be Useful.

Comment

Looks like we picked the wrong week to quit quoting 'Airplane!'

Monday, October 02, 2023

A new book about the 1980's film "Airplane!" from David Zucker, Jim Abrahams & Jerry Zucker, the writing and directing team responsible for one of the most transformative film comedies in history.

Comment

'The everyday can be just fine'

Friday, September 22, 2023

The New York icons whose songs pulled rock inside out (and whose breakup was nearly as legendary) gather for the first time in years to discuss their rereleased concert film, Stop Making Sense.

Comment

Nicki Minaj paints hip-hop pink — and changes the game

Friday, September 08, 2023

The 2010 Nicki Minaj album Pink Friday brought vibrant new shades to hip-hop.

Comment

"The South got something to say" — Outkast fulfills its prophecy on Aquemini

Friday, September 01, 2023

Hip-hop is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Commentator Kiana Fitzgerald is looking back at the albums that changed the game. Today, it's OutKast's album Aquemini.

Comment

Missy Elliott made hip-hop 'Supa Dupa Fly'

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Commentator Kiana Fitzgerald examines hip-hop game-changer Missy Elliott — as we celebrate 50 years of the genre.

Comment

Three 6 Mafia turns $4,500 into $45 million with 'Mystic Stylez'

Friday, August 18, 2023

In 1995, the Memphis hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia took a shoestring DIY approach to recording their debut album, Mystic Stylez. Their example led to a flourishing independent hip-hop scene.

Comment

2 Live Crew fought the law with its album, 'As Nasty As They Wanna Be'

Thursday, August 10, 2023

In 1989, 2 Live Crew's As Nasty As They Wanna Be became the first album declared legally obscene, and the group's legal battles set a precedent for the rappers that followed.

Comment

Eric B. & Rakim change the flow of rap with 'Paid in Full'

Friday, August 04, 2023

With their 1987 debut album Paid in Full, Eric B. & Rakim introduced internal rhyme schemes to rap, and changed the flow of hip-hop forever.

Comment

Kurtis Blow breaks hip-hop nationally with his 1980 debut

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Hip-hop is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Commentator Kiana Fitzgerald is looking back at the albums that changed the game.

Comment

From Slayer to Tito Puente, drummer Dave Lombardo changes tempo

Friday, May 05, 2023

Dave Lombardo of Slayer breaks out gongs, timbales, djembes, congas and cajóns (plus anything else he can bang on) for the album Rites of Percussion.

Comment

Remembering music mogul Seymour Stein, dead at 80

Tuesday, April 04, 2023

Music mogul Seymour Stein died Sunday at the age of 80. As the head of Sire Records, he signed genre-defining artists like Madonna, Ice-T, the Ramones and Talking Heads.

Comment

Music mogul Seymour Stein died Sunday at the age of 80

Tuesday, April 04, 2023

As the head of Sire Records, Seymour Stein signed genre-defining artists like Madonna, Ice-T, the Ramones and Talking Heads.

Comment

Depeche Mode co-founder David Gahan wants us to remember: 'Memento Mori'

Friday, March 24, 2023

Depeche Mode return with its first album since the death of founding member Andy Fletcher. It focuses a lot, unsurprisingly, on the subject of life.

Comment

Tianna Esperanza's uphill climb to conquering 'Terror'

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Raised in lily-white Cape Cod, Mass. while one of the few persons of color around, Esperanza found their voice the old-fashioned way: by searching for it.

Comment

Psychologist Daniel Levitin dissects Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon'

Wednesday, March 01, 2023

Pink Floyd's historic album Dark Side of the Moon turns 50 years old today – cognitive psychologist Daniel Levitin joins us to discuss its twisting psychological themes.

Comment

Rebecca Black leaves the meme in the rear view

Thursday, February 09, 2023

She scored a much-maligned hit at the age of 13 with "Friday." Now 25, Rebecca Black is finally releasing her debut album, Let Her Burn.

Comment