John Jurgensen

Eminem’s latest release, “Recovery,” is up for 10 Grammy nominations this year. It was the top-selling album of 2010, with 3.4 copies sold. As a result, it might just be the biggest “rehab album” of all time. John Jurgensen of the Wall Street Journal joins us for a look at this time-honored artistic statement. And Justin Daniels, founder and president of the rehab facility Clarity Way, explains the role music can play in the rehabilitation process.

She hasn’t put a record out in almost a decade, but Lauryn Hill is back. The Grammy-winning rapper and singer has rarely even performed live in the past few years. But she’s right smack in the middle of a six-night stand in New York City.  Wall Street Journal reporter John Jurgensen joins us to explain the rapturous anticipation and anxious uncertainty that surrounds the return of this neo-soul icon.

Earlier this week, Wall Street Journal reporter John Jurgensen joined us to ask a provocative question from his recent story: Should Bob Dylan retire? Today: Jurgensen returns with cultural critic (and Dylan expert) Greil Marcus to revisit the issue -- and responses from our listeners.

As a generation's music icon (and his fans) enter their golden years, the question must be asked: Should Bob Dylan retire? Wall Street Journal reporter John Jurgensen joins us to take a look at whether, at age 69, rock's poet laureate should leave the stage.

Singer songwriters like Suzanne Vega, Carly Simon and Squeeze are tapping new markets with re-recordings of their old hits. Wall Street Journal reporter John Jurgensen joins us to explain why.

These days when the house lights go down on a concert venue, the glowing screens of cell phones come out. As more and more concertgoers use their smartphones to capture their favorite bands in the act, a debate is emerging. Many concertgoers – and musicians – find the constant documentation frustrating and distracting, while others simply want to take a piece of the show home with them. John Jurgensen, a reporter who covers music for the Wall Street Journal, explains why this tiny gadgetry is causing such a big storm.

In Nashville, teams of songwriters work in offices writing potential hits for country crooners. On Broadway and in opera, librettists and lyricists carry on an age-old tradition. Hip-hop keeps alive the art of rhyming while singer-songwriters shape personal reflections into prose. Today, we look at the art of songwriting as it relates to various corners of a rapidly splintering music industry.

Of the 1.4 million artist names tracked by a music industry database, 18 bands are named “Bliss.” Fifteen bands christened themselves “Mirage.” And two bands in Brooklyn share the moniker “Discovery.” Today: a look at how the digital revolution has made naming a band more difficult. We’re joined by John Jurgensen of the Wall Street Journal and Jonathan D. Reichman of the law firm Kenyon & Kenyon LLP. This is a repeat edition of Soundcheck.

Of the 1.4 million artist names tracked by a music industry database, 18 bands are named “Bliss.” Fifteen bands christened themselves “Mirage.” And two bands in Brooklyn share the moniker “Discovery.” Today: a look at how the digital revolution has made naming a band more difficult. We’re joined by John ...

The new Wong Kar Wai film "My Blueberry Nights" features the acting debut of singer-songwriter Norah Jones and a soundtrack custom-built for a road trip. Songs by Jones, Cat Power and Cassandra Wilson turn up in the movie, and Ry Cooder composed the score. We talk about the soundtrack with ...