Louder: Barry Gibb Has a Mission: ‘Keep the Music Alive’

Plus: Prince, Miley Cyrus, Selena and More

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story December 4, 2020 By Caryn Ganz Pop Music Editor As a general editorial philosophy, the pop music team aims to look forward. But sometimes even we cannot escape the lure of the past. First: Barry Gibb, expertly profiled by Alex Pappademas, as the last living Bee Gee prepares to release an album of duets (returning to his first love: country music) and reflects on his group’s career in an HBO documentary. Even if you know think you know everything about Barry Gibb, trust that you must read this story. Next: The first-ever throwback episode of “Diary of a Song” is here, and its subject is no longer with us — and was very secretive about his creative process when he was alive. Via exclusives from the Prince estate and illuminating conversations with his closest collaborators, Joe Coscarelli and the “Diary” team explain how Prince made “Sign o’ the Times.” Even more: The Kinks’ “Lola” turns 50 this year, and Jim Farber talked to Ray Davies about the creation of what’s seen as the first major hit with an L.G.B.T. theme; and with a new Netflix bio-series on Selena on Netflix, Elijah Wald explained what made her music so special. Plus, in the now: Lindsay Zoladz spoke with the Avalanches, the cut-and-paste specialists who are back with a new album; and she also reviewed Miley Cyrus’s rock reinvention record. Plus 14 great news songs on the Playlist. Next week: best albums, best songs and best jazz albums as we start to wrap up 2020! And before I go — an event you might be interested in: When the pandemic shut down live shows, some major artists turned to Adam Arrigo of Wave Entertainment to dream up new concert experiences. We know livestreaming is now a huge part of the industry, but what comes next? On Thursday December 10 at 2:30 p.m. E.T., Arrigo will discuss with our own Jon Caramanica. R.S.V.P. to attend this free, virtual event. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Rose Marie Cromwell for The New York Times Barry Gibb Has a Mission: ‘Keep the Music Alive’ The last Bee Gee looks back at his wide-ranging catalog of hits, and ahead to an album of duets that spotlights his first love, country music. By Alex Pappademas The New York Times Diary of a Song Prince’s Artistic Process Was a Mystery. See How He Made ‘Sign o’ the Times.’ Breaking down the 1987 track that’s still powerfully resonant today, Prince’s closest collaborators offer an exclusive look into his songwriting. By Joe Coscarelli THE CRITICS & POPCAST Selena’s Special Genius The Mexican-American star, who was killed at 23, is the subject of a new Netflix bio-series. But what was the root of her musical powers? By Elijah Wald Album Review Miley Cyrus Finally Embraces Her Rock ’n’ Roll Heart The musical shape-shifter has made pop, country, hip-hop and psychedelic-flavored albums. On “Plastic Hearts,” she bends the glorious excess of ’80s rock to her whims. By Lindsay Zoladz The Playlist A Bittersweet Juice WRLD Team-Up, and 13 More New Songs Hear tracks by 24kGoldn, Beach Bunny, Kali Uchis and others. By Jon Pareles, Jon Caramanica, Giovanni Russonello and Lindsay Zoladz Saweetie, City Girls and the Female Rapper Renaissance Streaming, social media and the tireless work of trailblazers have helped change the hip-hop landscape. ‘Billie’ Review: A Legend, in a Different Light The journalist Linda Lipnack Kuehl worked for years on a Billie Holiday biography before Kuehl’s sudden death in 1978. The director of this documentary bought her research, and uses it well. By Glenn Kenny ‘Crock of Gold’ Review: Shane MacGowan, Still Alive and Laughing The hell-raising Irish musician is the subject of this Julien Temple documentary. By Glenn Kenny Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT FEATURES Ray Moreton/Getty Images Ray Davies on 50 Years of ‘Lola’ Two years before an official Gay Pride rally arrived in the United Kingdom, the Kinks released one of pop’s first big hits with an L.G.B.T. theme. By Jim Farber Atong Atem for The New York Times How the Avalanches Put Themselves Back Together Again The Australian group known for its sample-heavy music paused for 16 years between its first two albums. Sobriety, and an ambitious new set of inspirations, fuel its latest LP, “We Will Always Love You.” By Lindsay Zoladz Parisa Taghizedeh/Amazon Prime Video The Beat at the Heart of ‘Lovers Rock’ Steve McQueen’s new “Small Axe” anthology includes a film that centers on an offshoot of reggae that represented big shifts in the music, and in Black British culture. By Jeremy Gordon This U.K. Rapper Is Making the Pandemic Work for Him In a disruptive year for the music industry, Pa Salieu has had an unusually rapid rise. And this is just the beginning, he says. By Kate Hutchinson 2 Major Movies and a Life Shadowed by Pain and Perfectionism Kemp Powers is the co-director of “Soul” and screenwriter of “One Night in Miami,” but his collaborators may not know just how much of himself is in those films. By Jenna Marotta   Pantyhose and Trash Bags: How Music Programs Are Surviving in the Pandemic Concerned about spreading the virus through instruments or singing, student music groups are finding innovative ways to perform together. By Aishvarya Kavi and Adriana Zehbrauskas Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT NEWS The Jazz Standard Is Silenced by the Pandemic. More Clubs May Follow. The coronavirus has claimed its first major jazz club in New York City, and other venues are in danger of going under as well. By Ben Sisario Rapper Casanova Is Accused of Conspiring in ‘Terrible Acts of Violence’ Like 6ix9ine before him, the New York recording artist is charged with being a member of a ruthless street gang. By Ed Shanahan Longtime Board Chairman Steps Down at Apollo Theater Richard D. Parsons, the former Time Warner chief executive who led the Harlem nonprofit’s board for 19 years, will be succeeded by Charles Phillips. By Sarah Bahr New ‘BTS Law’ Is Passed in South Korea. An Army of Fans Rejoices. The oldest member of BTS was saved at the last minute from having to join the military under the country’s conscription system. By Choe Sang-Hun The Charts BTS Debuts at No. 1, and CDs Play a Major Role For a second week in a row, an old-fashioned format has helped push a new release to the top of the Billboard album chart. By Ben Sisario FROM T & THE MAGAZINE Talk Paul McCartney Is Still Trying to Figure Out Love “It’s always a splendid puzzle. Even though I write love songs, I don’t think I know what’s going on.” By David Marchese Barbra Streisand, Patti LaBelle and Dolly Parton on Their Most Memorable Performances The legendary singers share their favorite moments captured onscreen over the years. Barbra Streisand Is, as Ever, Firmly in Control Since her breakout in the 1960s, she’s been able to convince the world around her to listen — not by chasing trends but by remaining always and fully herself. By James B. Stewart, Collier Schorr and Mel Ottenberg The Grit and Glory of Dolly Parton More than 50 years into her legendary career, she’s still capturing America’s particular mythology — its dreams and its disappointments — like no other. By Emily Lordi and Craig McDean Patti LaBelle, the Doyenne of Philadelphia Soul At 76, she is the embodiment of success, the personification of warmth and an artist who changed the landscape of American music. By Mark Anthony Neal, Hank Willis Thomas, Deb Willis and Alex Harrington Make a friend’s day: Forward this email! Get this from a friend? Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter @nytimesmusic. Send your feedback on Louder at theplaylist@nytimes.com. Check out our full range of newsletters. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Louder from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. 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