Louder: Blondie on the Music That Defined Its Legacy

Critic’s Notebook

It’s Alive! It’s With the Band! A Computer Soloist Holds Its Own

Voyager, a computer program, played with Ensemble Signal in the U.S. premiere of a George Lewis piece that was a highlight of this year’s concert calendar.

By Seth Colter Walls

A Children’s Show About Everything, Especially Music

The creator behind the series “Bluey” on Disney+ says, “I didn’t want the usual kids’ TV scoring.”

By David Allen

The Charts

Rod Wave’s ‘Beautiful Mind’ Is His Second No. 1 Album

The rapper and singer’s latest LP easily beat the other major debut in the Top 5 this week, Megan Thee Stallion’s “Traumazine.”

By Ben Sisario

California Bill Could Restrict the Use of Rap Lyrics in Court

The bill, which applies more broadly to other forms of creative expression, has unanimously passed the Senate and Assembly and could become law by the end of September.

By Livia Albeck-Ripka

Fetty Wap Pleads Guilty to Conspiring With a Long Island Drug Gang

The rapper, who had parlayed a hit record about selling drugs into widespread stardom, conspired to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine in New Jersey, prosecutors said.

By Colin Moynihan

Creed Taylor, Producer Who Shaped Jazz for Decades, Dies at 93

He made scores of albums with artists who were well known and others who soon would be. He also founded two important record labels.

By Neil Genzlinger

Jerry Allison, Who Played Drums With Buddy Holly, Dies at 82

An original Cricket, he was also a co-writer of two signature Holly songs, “That’ll Be the Day” and “Peggy Sue.”

By Neil Genzlinger

Morgan Taylor, Inventive Children’s Performer, Dies at 52

His popular character Gustafer Yellowgold was aimed at youngsters and, more generally, “people who enjoy humor and absurdity and good pop music.”

By Neil Genzlinger

Karaoke Singers Live the Dream at the Illinois State Fair

Near the 500-pound Butter Cow, 16 contestants performed songs by Whitney Houston, Billy Joel, Jamey Johnson and Shania Twain in a bid to win $500 and appear on the Grandstand Stage.

By George Gurley and Adam Jason Cohen

Know Who Else Is a D.J. in Brooklyn? Chelsea Manning.

Before she orchestrated the largest intelligence leak in U.S. history, Ms. Manning was known to D.J. on occasion. On Friday night, she shook off the cobwebs in Bushwick.

By Lily Goldberg

frugal traveler

Making the Rounds on Nashville’s Singer-Songwriter Circuit

For music fans, songwriters’ nights at often unassuming venues provide an inexpensive and illuminating glimpse into Music City’s most celebrated business.

By Elaine Glusac