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Soundcheck

Thursday, July 14, 2005
  • Ziaf with photo of Edith Piaf in background
    Ziaf (with photo of Edith Piaf in background)

    Paris Revue

    One of France's most beloved singers was Edith Piaf. Her dramatic voice and hard-scrabble life captivated audiences. She continues to inspire, as Ziaf, a Boston alternative band has demonstrated -- by singing just the songs of Piaf. Today, in honor of Bastille Day, the group joins us for a life performance in the studio. Also on the show: the music of the Senegalese hip-hop group Daara J has been described as a mix of American and French rap, reggae, roots, soul, funk and Latin. They join us today to discuss the U.S. release of their album "Boomerang." Lead singer Faada Freddy states, "Hip-hop was born in Africa [and] went around the world to come back to Africa, like a boomerang that has been thrown from the motherland and is back home."

Daara J

Senegalese hip hop group Daara J visits.
» More about Daara J

Ziaf does Piaf

Boston-based Edith Piaf tribute group Ziaf offers a live performance.
» Ziaf’s Web site

Best Live Performances of 2008

Soundcheck

We revisit memorable in-studio performances from Toumani Diabaté, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, and others.

The Year in Music and Branding

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Pop music and advertising go together like peanut butter and jelly. Grey Group music director Josh Rabinowitz shares his picks for the best song picks and ad campaigns of 2008.

Critics Week

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Music writers look back at the year's best pop, rock, hip hop, classical, jazz, Latin and world albums. Plus: the worst music of the year and the best online music. Read our critics' lists here. And don't forget to cast your vote in our best-albums poll.

Noteworthy New York

Soundcheck

We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.