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Ever since the release of her hit 2006 album Begin to Hope, singer-songwriter Regina Spektor has become a left-field star. On her fifth studio album, this summer's Far, she makes her classical training work with her love of hip-hop, rock and jazz. In the process, she's again crafted an album full of intricate arrangements and witty lyricism.

His best-known work — the music to A Charlie Brown Christmas — is currently airing across the country once again. But as a new anthology attests, Vince Guaraldi wrote and performed a lot more music that deserves attention, too.

Growing up in Appleton, Wis., folk-rock singer Cory Chisel first connected with music through the songs he heard in church. He learned about music and performance from his father, a Baptist minister. But it was his uncle's record collection that introduced him to the secular worlds of blues and soul.

Sheila Jordan's singing style lights up Piano Jazz with guest host Jon Weber.

The song cycle Winterreise stands among the masterpieces in the art of song. Schubert conjures up harmonic twists and melodic turns, conveying emotions with remarkable simplicity and force.

Mahler's grand-scale "Resurrection" Symphony marked the real beginning of his career as a composer. It's the work with which he answered the metaphysical challenge of Beethoven's Ninth, with a turbulent beginning and a triumphant conclusion.

Packing KEXP's studio with a wall of sound, The Heavy performs four gritty, funk- and soul-infused garage-rockers. Fronted by versatile singer Kelvin Swaby, the British band kept the walls vibrating, even after it left.

It's a wonder Reed has time to get behind his drum kit at all, let alone lead two of Chicago's best bands. While his quintet Loose Assembly plays heavily improvised contemporary music, his quartet People, Places & Things has always embraced a strong historical current, paying homage to forgotten or overlooked Chicago music from six decades ago.

One of the most recognizable guitar riffs in America belongs to Living Colour. The band's 1988 hit, "Cult of Personality," won the group Grammy Awards and fame. In the past two decades, that fame faded, but Living Colour is back — and members say they've gained wisdom.

The musically gifted son of Paul Simon, Harper was on stage by the age of 12 as a guest on his father's famous '80s tour in support of Graceland. This fall, the younger Simon's solo debut finally surfaced. Earning comparisons to the work of Bob Dylan and Elliott Smith, the album showcases traditional gospel influences, Americana, rock and, of course, folk.