music
Debbie Friedman is still singing
By Jeffrey Salkin — January 26, 2021
No one changed modern worship like Debbie. May her memory be a blessing.
Taylor Swift’s ‘witchy’ new album fuels speculation about her interest in the craft
By Emily McFarlan Miller — December 22, 2020
(RNS) — It’s unclear if Swift’s most recent references to witchcraft are simply part of the ‘cottagecore’ aesthetic of her 2020 twin albums or more personal commentary on her spirituality.
Lecrae on growing uncomfortable with white evangelicalism and finding ‘Restoration’
By Emily McFarlan Miller — October 14, 2020
(RNS) — The Christian hip-hop artist’s new book examines the spiritual, personal and artistic dimensions of redemption.
Notre Dame Cathedral’s organ getting 4-year-long cleaning
By Angela Charlton and Nadine Achoui-Lesage — August 3, 2020
PARIS (AP) — Pipe by precious pipe, the organ that once thundered through Notre Dame Cathedral is being taken apart after last year's devastating fire. The restoration is expected to last nearly four years.
The Dalai Lama to release 1st album in July
By Mesfin Fekadu — June 9, 2020
NEW YORK (AP) — ‘Inner World,’ an album featuring teachings and mantras by the Dalai Lama set to music, will be released on July 6, his 85th birthday.
Clergy, scientists grapple with thoughts of worship without congregational singing
By Adelle M. Banks — May 15, 2020
(RNS) — ‘Singing together is a big deal,’ said a Philadelphia pastor.
Little Richard: Six examples of how religion played a role in his life
By Adelle M. Banks — May 11, 2020
(RNS) — ‘I consider my music sacred,’ the performer of songs like ‘Tutti Frutti’ and ‘Long Tall Sally’ once told an interviewer.
Cathedral light show is drawing those who normally don’t darken church doors
By Adelle M. Banks — February 17, 2020
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Cathedrals around the world are welcoming people in new ways with meditative light and sound shows.
Five things Kanye knows
By Charles C. Camosy — November 6, 2019
(RNS) — Kanye's new album 'Jesus Is King' has caused a stir for its author's conversion, but what lessons does it offer about faith?
‘Blinded by the Light’ makes a savior of Springsteen
By Simran Jeet Singh — August 16, 2019
(RNS) — A distant American icon comes alive for a Sikh and a Muslim in a British factory town and changes their lives forever.
Bono and Guggi: A friendship based on art, punk rock and Jesus
By Cathleen Falsani — August 6, 2019
VENICE, Calif. (RNS) — Now one of Ireland’s most celebrated modern artists, the U2 frontman's childhood friend and former bandmate, has a new exhibit in Venice, California.
New play ‘American Griot’ explores blues music’s Muslim and African roots
By Aysha Khan — March 5, 2019
PALOS HILLS, Ill. (RNS) – A musical play explores the shared history of Islam, Africa and blues music through the eyes of an enslaved storyteller-musician.
Freddie Mercury’s family faith: The ancient religion of Zoroastrianism
By Vasudha Narayanan — November 5, 2018
(The Conversation) — Many fans of the rock band Queen are only now learning, via the new movie "Bohemian Rhapsody," that Freddie Mercury, the band's leader, was born Farrokh Bulsara was a Zoroastrian by faith.
Where have all the sad songs gone?
By Marty Duren — October 10, 2018
(RNS) — Though Ecclesiastes reminds us there is a time to mourn, many Protestant churches today experience few songs of lament.
Aretha Franklin’s family says eulogy was offensive
By David Bauder — September 4, 2018
(AP) — The eulogist was criticized for a political address that described children being in a home without a father as 'abortion after birth' and said black lives do not matter unless blacks stop killing each other.
