Aaron J. Leonard’s new book draws from almost 10,000 pages of F.B.I. files on an array of folk artists. It aims to illustrate the considerable impact that the U.S. government’s campaign against Communism had on folk artists in the 1940s and early ’50s.
Music
Posted inArts & Culture, Music
How the pianist Mary Lou Williams found God (and made it to the Vatican)
Williams came to write “Mary Lou’s Mass” to capture her feeling of suffering—and its apotheosis.
Posted inArts & Culture, Music
Joni Mitchell’s ‘Archives Vol. 1’ show a songwriter navigating art and life before a record deal
Like a master painter’s sketchbooks, “Archives” is uniquely revealing of the roots of Joni Mitchell’s distinctive voice both as a singer and a writer.
Posted inArts & Culture, Film
Amazon Prime’s ‘Sound of Metal’ explores a musician’s journey into deafness—and himself
An austere film about a drummer going deaf finds revelation in the quiet moments.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
How the forgotten middle verses of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ reveal its deeper meaning on memory and gratitude
As is so often the case with old songs, the middle verses bear the greater load of meaningful content (and are also, incidentally, the first forgotten.)
Posted inArts & Culture, Music
The music that got a few 20-somethings through 2020: Dolly, rap and everything in between
From three 20-somethings, here are the musical selections that have helped us to remember and thank 2020.
Posted inArts & Culture, Music
Where is God in classical music? Start by looking for the good, the true and the beautiful.
A conversation with Michael Kurek, author of “The Sound of Beauty: A Classical Composer on Music in the Spiritual Life.”
Posted inArts & Culture, Film
Pixar’s ‘Soul’ imagines life after death (and before birth). What does Catholic teaching say?
“Our bodies are mortal, but our soul is, by its nature, immortal and created to spend eternity with God,” says Dawn Eden Goldstein.
Posted inArts & Culture, Music
A new Christmas carol honors the scientists who helped make the Covid-19 vaccine
The Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra celebrated the scientists in their community who helped to develop one of the Covid-19 vaccines.
Posted inArts & Culture, Music
Matt Maher’s Playlist for the Last Week of Advent (and beyond)
Featuring Bob Dylan, old folk songs and live orchestral recordings.