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The story of Francis Scott Key's "Star Spangled Banner" is the stuff of grade-school history books. But the song has inspired some memorable interpretations in the recent past, as each performer imbues it with a personal take on patriotism.

NPR Music ended 2008 the way the previous 29 have for NPR and its jazz partner WBGO: with live jazz, all night long. Toast of the Nation features jazz groups welcoming the new year across the country, from New York to Los Angeles, Boston to New Orleans. Here's a preview of the night's artists.

The friendly syncopations and playful, romantic lyrics of calypso create an inviting Caribbean aura, which has endured remarkably well. These five songs survey the way Trinidad's signature music has been adapted, reshaped, packaged and marketed around the world.

For all the accusations of misogyny that face hip-hop artists, no musical genre shows more reverence to the mother figure. Tupac's "Dear Mama" may be the most easily identifiable example — if not the pinnacle — of the mama meme, but many great rappers have taken a few minutes to honor the women who brought them into the world. Here are five more songs for and about your mom.

When "Buckshot La Funke" appeared on a Louis Smith record, you may not have known it was actually Cannonball Adderley. Record contracts of yesteryear (and some today) buried exclusivity clauses in the fine print. But musicians have to eat, so they would record under other names, like the five included here.

This week's Take Five skips from the provinces of Quebec and Ottawa over to British Columbia, featuring a jazz legend, a world-famous vocalist/pianist and a few Canadian musicians who are gaining wider recognition outside their home country. Listen to five songs below.

Get into the spirit of the season with new tunes and old standards performed by everyone from Dean Martin to Sufjan Stevens, Bright Eyes and more.

Today's environmental and global financial crises have Weekend Edition's Ned Wharton abuzz. In presenting his yearly music recommendations, he explains how digital downloads make a perfect holiday gift for these times.

This is a list for the Age of the iPod Shuffle, as more people listen to more types of music than ever before. WNYC's John Schaefer mixes up his favorite CD picks for 2008, offering a wide-reaching smorgasbord of classical, pop, folk and world music.

Evolving out of 1950s bebop, hard bop incorporates elements of gospel, soul and R&B. One of the style's biggest supporters, Blue Note Records, celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. And while jazz has progressed since then, hard bop is still heard in many modern jazz recordings. Hear five classics.