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The neuroscience major-turned songwriter is bringing her unique mix of pop ballads, soulful belting and dance arrangements to North America for a new tour.

Host Jacki Lyden talks with singer Aaron Neville about the ups and downs of his 30 year music career. Neville has just released Devotion, his first-ever collection of inspirational songs and a new book, The Brothers, which tells of his colorful past encompassing drug addiction, burglary and chart- topping records.

There were toes tapping and heads nodding in Louisville, Kentucky, last night when the city played host to the Bluegrass music awards. The Del McCoury Band and Dolly Parton both took home top awards. The event isn't televised, but is broadcast live in more than 3,000 U.S. radio markets.

Number 21 on the Billboard top 100 this week: India Arie, with her first CD, Acoustic Soul. She has drawn impressive comparisons to Roberta Flack, Tracy Chapman and Bill Withers. Reviewer Sarah Bardeen says that Arie deserves the success. India Arie's Acoustic Soul is on Motown Records.

Siobhan Armstrong is one of today's top Irish harpers. From the BBC Studios in Dublin, she plays a pair of tunes by the most famous of all Irish harpers, Turlough Carolan: "Carolan's Favorite Jig" and "Farewell to Music."

The year 2005 saw World Music grow in two directions: by exploring its most basic roots, and by exploring new areas, through technology and collaboration. Marco Werman give us a glimpse of his top picks of the year.

In 2000, pianist Yundi Li took the gold medal at the Warsaw International Chopin Competition, becoming the first pianist in 15 years to be deemed worthy of the top prize. The young musician performs Chopin's Scherzo No. 2 in NPR's Studio 4A.

Norman Brown has been known as a top-notch smooth jazz guitarist. But in his new CD, West Coast Coolin', Brown unveils his singing voice. Hear NPR's Tavis Smiley and Brown.

The Dixie Chicks are one of the top selling country artists of all time. Will Hermes, a senior contributing writer for Spin magazine, says their first CD in three years,Home, has a less commercial sound than their other offerings, but still may be one of the best pop CDs of the year.

Tom Manoff has a review of the CD Reflections of Spain, featuring Spanish music for guitar, played by David Russell. Manoff thinks Russell — who is Scottish, not Spanish — plays with a natural elegance, and is passionate but never over the top.