NPR’s Tiny Desk shows prove that stripped-back, intimate spaces can draw out raw, unforgettable performances. Like MTV Unplugged before it, the pared-down format removes distractions and lets artistic talent shine.
Mandé-jazz ensemble Balimaya Project at Snape Maltings. Their vibrant, genre-fluid sound recalls reference to African music that has, in part, soundtracked my life—joyous, evocative, and far beyond the rubric of “world music.”
Summer Album / Winter Album is a unique podcast hosted by Jody Avirgan and Craig Finn, classifying albums by season. In a standout episode, they debate Paul Simon's Graceland, my desert island disc. Published by Pushkin Media, with guest Malcolm Gladwell, it’s a must-listen for music lovers.