Devendra Banhart's new album, Ma, is out now. He has also released a new video for his Carole King-inspired album track, “Taking a Page,” filmed by The Bardos during his recent trip to Nepal; you can watch it here. This is "sublimely understated, border-blurring folk rock," the Los Angeles Times says of the album. "There is a truth and authenticity to the songs via their warmth and generosity," says MOJO . "These are vignettes of lived experiences. Groovy and moving, in all the right directions." "Banhart's singular world remains as intoxicating as ever on the earthly, analogue-sounding Ma," says Q. "It feels as if all of human life is here."

Brad Mehldau's Nonesuch Records debut album, Live in Tokyo, first released on September 14, 2004, makes its vinyl debut fifteen years later today. The vinyl edition, made with Run Out Groove, comprises the original album's eight tracks plus seven tracks previously available only on the Japanese edition. This triple-LP set, pressed on 180-gram vinyl, is available to pre-order now. "Few pianists can match Brad Mehldau when it comes to cross-fertilizing jazz, classical, and rock," said JazzTimes. "The same applies for technique, taste and intellectual curiosity. All of those qualities are on display [here]."

William Brittelle's Spiritual America is performed by Metropolis Ensemble, Sam Amidon in Ireland … Jeremy Denk performs Schumman with Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra … Kronos Quartet is in Georgia … Pat Metheny concludes NYC run … Robert Plant brings Carry Fire to Harvest Jazz & Blues Fest in Canada … Chris Thile hosts Live From Here from NYC … Yola makes Grand Ole Opry debut … and more …

Vagabon (aka Laetitia Tamko) is on PRI's Studio 360. She talks with guest host Hanif Abdurraqib about moving to the US from Cameroon at 13 and making her new album some 13 years later. "I was growing really weary of Black sadness and seeing how it's consumed, more importantly," Tamko says. "I feel like Black joy is a radical thing ... The whole sonic landscape of this album is, like, 'If I'm in charge, I'm gonna choose to put myself in a position where I'm at the center of good or comfort for once.'" You can hear the conversation here.

Devendra Banhart stopped by WNYC Studios as the guest on New Sounds' Soundcheck to talk with host John Schaefer about his new album, Ma, and perform three songs from it: "Is This Nice?," "Carolina," and "Taking a Page." "The folk songwriter, visual artist, and poet Devendra Banhart offers tenderness, introspection, and space in music, poetry, and art," says Schaefer. You can watch the session here.

A new album track from the forthcoming Rachael & Vilray—the debut album by Lake Street Dive singer-songwriter Rachael Price and composer, singer, and guitarist Vilray—"Let's Make Love on This Plane" debuted today with a video by Robert Edridge-Waks featuring footage from the golden age of jet travel. The song "finds its inspiration in classic 'list songs' like Gershwin's 'They All Laughed' and Porter's 'I Get A Kick Out of You,' both chock full of little jokes," says Vilray. "Here two jetsetters contemplate the famous pioneers of flight and decide to one-up their aerial firsts with a bang."

Kudos to Rhiannon Giddens, Yola, and Punch Brothers guitarist Chris "Critter" Eldridge on a wonderful night of music and words at the Americana Honors & Awards ceremony at the Ryman in Nashville last night. Giddens received the inaugural Legacy of Americana Award, made a beautiful speech honoring posthumous recipient Frank Johnson, and gave a haunting performance of "Wayfaring Stranger" with Francesco Turrisi. Yola, introduced by Dan Auerbach, brought the house down singing "Faraway Look." And Eldridge took home the award for Instrumentalist of the Year. Tune in to a special episode of Austin City Limits on November 23 with performance highlights from the evening.

Mandy Patinkin's Children and Art, his first new album since 2002, is due October 25, 2019, on Nonesuch. The songs were recorded in New York with pianist/producer Thomas Bartlett (aka Doveman); several have been previewed over the last two years as part of the digital Diary series. Video of the album tracks "Wandering Boy" by Randy Newman and Laurie Anderson's "From the Air" may be seen here. Other composers on the record include Lyle Lovett, Taylor Mac, Stephen Sondheim, Tom Waits, and Patinkin himself. Mandy Patinkin will tour North America, accompanied by pianist Adam Ben-David, from October 30 through February 2020.

The Black Keys announce a Lonely Boys & Girls Fan Club show at The Wiltern in LA on Thursday, September 19, 2019. Members of the club, band's official fan club, will have first access to purchase tickets when they go on sale. Fans can sign up to the club for free here where they can also enter for chances to meet the band and receive music and videos before anyone else. The Wiltern show marks The Black Keys' return to the stage after a five-year absence, kicking off their thirty-eight date North American "Let's Rock" tour. 

Rhiannon Giddens performed in a concert celebrating Country Music, the new Ken Burns film, at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in March, joining Dierks Bentley, Rosanne Cash, Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, Kathy Mattea, Marty Stuart, Dwight Yoakam, and others. The concert was broadcast on PBS yesterday and can be seen here. Giddens performs "Ruby Are You Mad at Your Man" with Ketch Secor, Willie Nelson's "Crazy," and in the all-star finale, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." Country Music premieres on PBS this Sunday. Giddens receives the inaugural Legacy of Americana Award at the Americana Honors & Awards this Wednesday.

Attacca Quartet kicks off its 2019–20 concert season in Italy this week, performing a program that opens with composer Caroline Shaw's five-part Plan and Elevation, the centerpiece to her album, Orange. On the album, the Attacca performs that and other pieces by Shaw, as it will throughout the upcoming concert season. Shaw joins the quartet for performances in Red Bank, New York City, and London, and the season's culminating concert at The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC, in May, for which they will also be joined by Gabriel Kahane as well.

Ry Cooder's critically acclaimed album Chávez Ravine, first released on Nonesuch Records in 2005, makes its vinyl debut today. With a cast of legendary Chicano musicians, Cooder recounts the story of how a Mexican-American community was razed to make way for L.A.'s Dodger Stadium. "A remarkable song cycle," said Rolling Stone, "a brilliant and flavorful film-noir history lesson." The two-LP vinyl edition was remastered from the original high-resolution source files and pressed on 140-gram vinyl. The set comes in a gatefold tip-on jacket with a twenty-page, full-color booklet. It is available in the Nonesuch Store, as are new remastered digital editions.