Hem, the Brooklyn band whose sound is known as "countrypolitan" has released their second album, Eveningland, featuring not only the regular eight-piece unit, but also the Slovak Radio Orchestra. The combination added a more lush and complex element than the group had realized when they set themselves to recording an old fashioned album: no samples, no fancy protools edits. They'll join us to discuss their sound, and this record in advance of their Saturday night show at Southpaw. Also: jazz pianist Fred Hersch and vocalist Kate McGarry join us to perform music from their Walt Whitman tribute album, "Leaves of Grass." The CD is an orchestration of Whitman's 150-year-old masterpiece written for a 10-piece chamber jazz ensemble and vocalists. This is an encore edition of Soundcheck.
A-Hem
Brooklyn-based Hem - which will be on Lincoln Center's American Songbook series in February - performs its brand of new country.
» Hem's Web site
» Hem's Web site
Pianist Fred Hersch and vocalist Kate McGarry
The duo performs music set to the words of Walt Whitman.
» Fred Hersch Interprets 'Leaves of Grass' on NPR
» Fred Hersch Interprets 'Leaves of Grass' on NPR