Singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins offers a mix of folk-flavored pop songs in a special, midday concert from the World Cafe live stage in Philadelphia, Pa. His performance, originally webcast live on NPR.org Jan. 27, is the first in a new series of live, Friday concerts from NPR Music and member station WXPN. The full performances can be heard on NPR.org beginning at noon ET Fridays. Next in the series is Rosanne Cash on Feb. 3.
Mullins was a Second Lieutenant with the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Benning, Ga. in 1989 when he self-released his first cassette of original songs. After eight years in the military, he eventually decided to quit and pursue music full time.
Mullins went on to release several LPs, including 1992's Better Days and 1994's Big Blue Sky. He eventually signed with Sony records and released his most popular album in 1998, Soul's Core. That CD included the top ten hit "Lullaby." Though Soul's Core went platinum, Mullins' follow-up release in 2000, Beneath the Velvet Sun, didn't sell well and Sony decided to drop him from their roster.
Mullins' latest CD, 9th Ward Pickin' Parlor, due out Feb. 14 on Vanguard records, includes acoustic tracks recorded in New Orleans before hurricane Katrina. It offers a distinctive mix of country, folk, rock, Celtic and gospel styles.
Mullins' live performance from World Cafe Live in Philadelphia is hosted by XPN's Helen Leicht.
Copyright 2006 XPN