World Cafe Words and Music Podcast
NPR
WXPN's live performance and interview program featuring music and conversation from a variety of important musicians
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 5, 2025 • 39min
How Robert Plant's new band 'saved his sanity'
Plant's band, Saving Grace, and singer Suzi Dian helped the rock legend access the "backwoods" of his musical inspiration.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Dec 3, 2025 • 30min
Tom Skinner pushes his compositional skills on 'Kaleidoscopic Visions'
The English percussionist is best known for his work with The Smile and Sons of Kemet, but Skinner refines his own voice on his latest solo album.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Nov 26, 2025 • 21min
Tune in to a mini-concert with Courtney Barnett
The Australian musician performs a set recorded at the 2025 XPoNential Music Festival.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Nov 25, 2025 • 14min
In 1985, the smooth sound of Sade's 'Promise' stood out
The mid-'80s were loud and bombastic. World Cafe correspondent John Morrison says that’s exactly why the smooth R&B of Sade stood out.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Nov 21, 2025 • 21min
Why My Morning Jacket wrote an elegy and other stories from their back catalog
Frontman Jim James, of My Morning Jacket, joins World Cafe for a new installment of Backtracking.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Nov 20, 2025 • 12min
Acadiana Music Showcase: Dustin Dale Gaspard
He made a splash on The Voice, but Gaspard has been a longtime part of Louisiana's Cajun and swamp pop music scene.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Nov 19, 2025 • 52min
Nate Smith on his latest album, 'LIVE-ACTION'
The drummer and jazz bandleader turns his seventh album into a party, including Snarky Puppy's Michael League, guitarist Charlie Hunter and singer Lalah Hathaway.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Nov 14, 2025 • 43min
David Byrne on his latest album, 'Who Is the Sky?'
The Scottish-American rock star teams up with New York's Ghost Train Orchestra.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Nov 13, 2025 • 14min
Lukas Nelson on his debut solo album, 'American Romance'
The country singer's record has been nominated for a Grammy Award for best traditional country album.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Nov 11, 2025 • 21min
Tune in to a mini-concert with Michigander
The Michigan musician performs a set recorded at the 2025 XPoNential Music Festival.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
