From March 2, 2005

Episode 78

Listen to the entire show

New music from The Decemberists
Canada's country rocker Kathleen Edwards
Remembering the music of Nat King Cole
Surreal crooner Antony and the Johnsons
Galaxy 500's Damon and Naomi
Colombian activist Andrea Echeverri
A Brazilian in New York: Luiz Bonfá
Roots of rap from Linton Kwesi Johnson
Radiohead for piano: Christopher O'Riley
A farewell to minimalist Harold Budd

The Decemberists are a five-piece Portland band previously featured on All Songs Considered episode 59.

The Decemberists

CD: Picaresque
Song: "The Infanta"
Label: Kill Rock Stars

Listen to "The Infanta"

This is singer/songwriter Kathleen Edward's second CD. Her first was featured on All Songs Considered episode 32.

Kathleen Edwards

CD: Back to Me
Song: "Somewhere Else"
Label: Zoe

Listen to "Somewhere Else"

More than 40 years after his death, the music of Nat King Cole is remembered on this new collection of classics like "Nature Boy" and "Unforgettable."

Nat King Cole

CD: The World of Nat King Cole
Song: "Mona Lisa"
Label: Capitol

Listen to "Mona Lisa"

Antony is a 21st century crooner with a strange and delicate voice. Boy George and Rufus Wainwright join him on this CD.

Antony and the Johnsons

CD: I Am A Bird Now
Song: "Fistful of Love"
Label: Secretly Canadian

Listen to "Fistful of Love"

Drummer Damon Krukowski and bassist Naomi Yang were two-thirds of the 1980s dream pop group Galaxy 500 until the band broke up in 1991. The two have since been releasing CDs as a duo.

Damon and Naomi

CD: The Earth is Blue
Song: "The Earth is Blue"
Label: 20/20/20

Listen to "The Earth is Blue"

Colombian native Andrea Echeverri got her start as the frontwoman for the band Aterciopelados and is known as a vocal feminist in her home country. This is her debut solo release, a collection of personal songs celebrating the joys of being a mother.

Andrea Echeverri

CD: Andrea Echeverri
Song: "A Eme O"
Label: Nacional

Listen to "A Eme O"

Luiz Bonfá was one of the leading figures in the birth of Bosa Nova. Though not as well known, his music actually predates Antonio Carlos Jobim and Joao Gilberto. Bonfá died in 2001, but his music is remembered on this new retrospective.

Luiz Bonfá

CD: Solo in Rio
Song: "A Brazilian in New York"
Label: Smithsonian

Listen to "A Brazilian in New York"

Reggae poet Linton Kwesi Johnson wrote and recorded in Britain in the late 1970s and early 1980s and is credited with inventing Dub poetry, a kind of early rap. He's only released one album since 1985 but remains an important figure in reggae.

Linton Kwesi Johnson

CD: Live in Paris
Song: "Di Great Insohreckshan/Mekkin Histri"
Label: BMG

Listen to "Di Great Insohreckshan/Mekkin Histri"

This is the second collection of Radiohead songs recorded on solo piano by Christopher O'Riley. The first was featured on All Songs Considered episode 38.

Christopher O'Riley

CD: Hold Me to This
Song: "No Surprises"
Label: World Village

Listen to "No Surprises"

Harold Budd is best known for his ambient collaborations with producer Brian Eno. Budd's own music is lulling, sparse and tonal. After 30 years of making music professionally, Budd says he's retiring from the business. This two-CD set will be his last.

Harold Budd

CD: As Long As I Can Hold My Breath
Song: "A Walk in the Park with Nancy"
Label: Samadhisound

Listen to "A Walk in the Park with Nancy"

      Copyright , NPR