WXPN

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WXPN-FM is the non-commercial public radio service of the University of Pennsylvania and the premier radio showcase for contemporary music that spans the progressive edges of rock, folk, rhythm and blues, and American roots. WXPN also produces programming for national syndication. Our signature program,World Café with David Dye is distributed by Public Radio International and broadcasts daily on more than 160 public radio stations nationwide. WXPN also produces the Peabody-Award winning Kids Corner, hosted by Kathy O'Connell. WXPN also produces the annual Singer Songwriter Weekend two-day music festival.

Series

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67 Pieces

A grab bag of musicians muse about the creative and mundane aspecs of their lives. WXPN's Tracey Tanenbaum hosts this ongoing five minute weekly series

  • From: WXPN
  • Updated: Apr 17, 2008
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2 Pieces

Guest DJs talk about the music that inspired them in their formative years and what they listen to now, in their off-hours.

  • From: WXPN
  • Updated: Feb 08, 2004
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4 Pieces

Four separate features profile African American artists who have ties to Philadelphia

  • From: WXPN
  • Updated: Feb 04, 2007
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6 Pieces

a series of profiles celebrating black musicians in and their contributions to popular music

  • From: WXPN
  • Updated: Feb 02, 2006
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64 Pieces

A weekly exploration of blues and related musical forms

  • From: WXPN
  • Updated: Sep 26, 2012
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144 Pieces

The Blues File is a weekly snapshot of a topic in this culturally significant genre.

  • From: WXPN
  • Updated: Mar 22, 2005
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7 Pieces

A half-hour weekly show featuring in-studio performances from emerging independent musicians

  • From: WXPN
  • Updated: Sep 24, 2008
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0 Pieces

A series of short-form pieces that WXPN used to galvanize listeners during our predrive & membership drive in fall 2008.

  • From: WXPN
  • Updated: Jan 05, 2009
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2 Pieces

An live hour of spoken word, poetry and song produced by the Writers House on the University of Pennsylvania

  • From: WXPN
  • Updated: Mar 31, 2005
Caption: Mississippi Blues Project
4 Pieces

A series of concerts from the Philadelphia PA area by blues artists from Mississippi

  • From: WXPN
  • Updated: Jul 25, 2013

Latest Pieces

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Acclaimed singer songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson says he learned about the guitar from listening to an album of piano jazz.

Bought by KBUT Crested Butte, Colo., Prairie Public, WUAL, and KUT


  • Added: Oct 06, 2005
  • Length: 03:23
  • Purchases: 4
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Bare Naked Ladies Steven Page discovered "Nilsson SingsNewman" during the group's first big tour. Playing big concerts every night made Page crave...

Bought by KBUT Crested Butte, Colo.


  • Added: Oct 04, 2005
  • Length: 03:59
  • Purchases: 1
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Folk singer Steve Forbert muses about his favorite album, "Paris 1919". He says this John Cale record is very good for the subconscious.

Bought by KBUT Crested Butte, Colo. and KUT


  • Added: Oct 04, 2005
  • Length: 03:06
  • Purchases: 2
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El Vez calls himself the "Mexican Elvis". Still he found solace and inspiration in David Bowie's 1972 record, "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust."

Bought by KBUT Crested Butte, Colo.


  • Added: Sep 30, 2005
  • Length: 03:36
  • Purchases: 1
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Therapist turned folk singer Lucy Kaplansky discovered the Joni Mitchell album "Blue" when she was a teenager. Kaplansky says she related to the y...

Bought by KBUT Crested Butte, Colo. and KUT


  • Added: Sep 30, 2005
  • Length: 03:52
  • Purchases: 2
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Jazz and folk performer Lizz Wright discovered Abbey Lincoln's " A Turtle's Dream" at a critical juncture in her life. Lincoln's music gave Wright...

Bought by WSGE, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, WJAB, KBUT Crested Butte, Colo., and KUT


  • Added: Sep 30, 2005
  • Length: 03:19
  • Purchases: 5
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As a boy musician Francis Dunnery found refuge in the Genesis album "Selling England by the Pound". It's other-worldly quality helped Dunnery esca...

Bought by KBUT Crested Butte, Colo.


  • Added: Sep 30, 2005
  • Length: 03:26
  • Purchases: 1
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Erin McKeown learned about the craft of record making when she discovered Liz Phair's "Whip Smart."

Bought by KBUT Crested Butte, Colo.


  • Added: Sep 29, 2005
  • Length: 03:32
  • Purchases: 1
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Singer and fiddle player Caitlin Cary discovered that women can rock when she heard Ricki Lee Jone's 1979 self-titled debut album.

Bought by KISU, KBUT Crested Butte, Colo., and KUT


  • Added: Sep 29, 2005
  • Length: 03:59
  • Purchases: 3
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visual and performing artist Joseph Arthur found a friend in Jimi Hendrix when he first heard "Are you Experienced"

Bought by KBUT Crested Butte, Colo.


  • Added: Sep 29, 2005
  • Length: 03:10
  • Purchases: 1