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In 1927, poet Carl Sandburg published The American Songbag, a collection of traditional music. Singer-guitarist Dan Zanes brings the music back in his new CD, Parades and Panoramas.

In 1967, Episcopal priest Fred Coleman recorded a popular high school band at a New Jersey church teen center. The Castiles lead guitarist was 17-year-old Bruce Springsteen.

An appreciation for beauty may play a vital role in evolution. Female bowerbirds, for example, choose mates based on the aesthetics of their mating dance. Human behavior is more complex, but scientists say our love of beauty has also helped us survive. NPR's Christopher Joyce reports.

In 1685, within a period of eight months, three master composers were born: Scarlatti, Handel and Bach. Although each was extremely influential, they worked in very different ways because of their contrasting demands. Richard Taruskin, discusses the divergent paths of these three men.

Neil Innes is a singer and songwriter who also was the guiding musical force behind the comedy team Monty Python. His humorous songs carry that peculiar British blend of absurdity and intelligence. Music journalist Ashley Kahn caught up with Innes on his recent American tour.

Rodney Saulsberry has been a top talent in the closely-knit voice-over industry for many years, doing everything from Alpo commercials to animated TV series. He shares some of the secrets of the trade in his new book, You Can Bank on Your Voice.

Minnie Driver becomes a Hollywood hyphenate with her new solo album Everything I've Got in My Pocket. But her evolution to actress-singer is not a whim; Driver was signed to a major label in the early '90s before her acting career eclipsed the music.

Diana Krall is known for her interpretations of old favorites from the American songbook. But her latest release, The Girl in the Other Room, includes newer songs and — for the first time — her own music. She talks about her craft with NPR's Steve Inskeep.

The complete 45-episode series of the TV show Pee-Wee's Playhouse is now out on DVD. Reubens originally created the Pee-Wee character at the Los Angeles improv group called The Groundlings. Pee-Wee's Playhouse went on the air in 1986. It ran on CBS for 5 years, garnering 22 Emmys.

NPR's Alex Chadwick and Day to Day technology contributor Xeni Jardin hit the streets to try out a few new gadgets, including a hand-held traffic reporting device and a multimedia gizmo that plays music, movies and television shows.