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Soundcheck

Tuesday, October 19, 2004
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  • The Allen Room (Jazz at Lincoln Center) - Jim D'Addio/Rafael Vinoly Architects
    The Allen Room ( Jim D'Addio/Rafael Vinoly Architects)

    A Report from the House of Swing

    Last night’s opening of the Frederick P. Rose Jazz Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center received no shortage of advanced media coverage, but the question remains: how does it sound? Today, Rolling Stone contributing editor Anthony DeCurtis joins us with his thoughts on the hall’s opening night and what the future holds in store. Also: Profiling great artists teaches us about greatness, and Leonard Bernstein is no exception. WNYC recently began broadcasting Leonard Bernstein: An American Life, an 11-part radio documentary, hosted by Susan Sarandon, about Bernstein’s iconic life and career. Today, daughter Jamie Bernstein Thomas joins us to give us an even deeper look into the life of her father, who seems to be more popular than ever these days.

Additional Resources:
» Jazz at Lincoln Center information
» Leonard Bernstein: An American Life
» Leonard Bernstein Web site

audience

Soundcheck Smackdown: When Contemporary Met Classical

Soundcheck

Like vegetables stuck into a delicious meal, contemporary classical music is forced on concert audiences before they are allowed to enjoy their Brahms. So says humorist, critic and author Joe Queenan. Today, Queenan and John Berry, Artistic Director with English National Opera, join us for a Soundcheck Smackdown debate on the merits of contemporary music.

musical clouds

You Are What You Hear

Soundcheck

Washington Post reporter Paul Farhi takes us through some of the most famously botched song lyrics in rock history. We’ll explore why the words we make up are usually more interesting than the real version. Then, listeners confess their favorite and most embarrassing reinvented lyrics.

Leave a comment: Give us your favorite set of misheard lyrics! Were you disappointed when you learned the actual words?

Rosanne Cash and Mark O'Connor

Soundcheck

For her, he was a father. For him, he was a boyhood hero. For the nation, he was an icon. Singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash and composer and violinist Mark O'Connor join us to talk about how Johnny Cash has inspired their musical collaboration. And they will play live.

Katy

Soundcheck's Summer Song Poll

Soundcheck

Every year, popular and critical opinion somehow converge to settle on a "summer song." In 2007, it was Rihanna's "Umbrella." The year before, it was "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley. The practice stretches back to the very dawn of pop radio. Yet defining the essence of a "summer song" is a bit elusive. We enlist the help of Blender editor at large Lizzy Goodman -- and of our Soundcheck listeners, in an online poll.

Cast your vote: Soundcheck's Summer Song Poll 2008

Can't decide? Check out audio and video clips of the contestants here.

Our blog: John Schaefer asks what makes a good summer song,

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