wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Soundcheck

Tuesday, July 30, 2002
  • Singing Storytellers and The Practical Percussionist

    Singer-songwriters Dar Williams and Robin Holcomb both have busy seasons coming up, but before they hit the road, they perform live in the studio and discuss their labors of love. This week, they’ll be playing, respectively, at the Downtown NYC River to River Festival and at Joe’s Pub. Plus, percussionist Bill Trigg talks to us about bangin’ and clangin’ on a variety of common, non-musical items.

On her fourth solo album, 1997’s The Green World, Dar Williams assembled a collection of 11 short-stories-in-song that seems ever-relevant in these dark times: Among other things, the record reflects on the mysteries of the natural world and on the need for levity under duress. After her end-of-summer tour wraps, Williams will be teaming up with the likes of Bela Fleck, Alison Krauss, and Blues Traveler’s John Popper on her fifth album. Tentatively titled Beauty of the Rain, the disc is scheduled for release at the beginning of next year.
Dar Williams
Downtown NYC River to River Festival

From country to contemporary classical, there are few genres that have not inspired the music of nomadic pianist Robin Holcomb, who has composed for and performed with chamber ensembles, Indonesian gamelans, improvising orchestras, and musical theater. She’ll be touring the U.S. this fall to promote her new album, The Big Time.
Robin Holcomb
Joe’s Pub

Percussionist Bill Trigg has played works by contemporary Chinese composers in several new-music consorts. This time around, he tackles “Akrodha,” a recent composition by the South Africa-born Irish composer Kevin Volans that involves thumping on such instruments as car brakes, chisels, and suspension coils.
Kevin Volans
“Akrodha”

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.

Your "Democracy Song"

Soundcheck

As we march toward Election Day, Soundcheck wants you to identify a song that captures the spirit of democracy. It might be Woody Guthrie’s populist classic “This Land Is Your Land” or Sly and the Family Stone’s funky hit “Everyday People.” It might even be a current Top 40 hit with mass appeal. Put on your musical thinking cap, get creative, then post your song here.

Buying Music: A Smackdown Series

Soundcheck

Check out our ongoing series of Soundcheck Smackdown debates on the music marketplace -- and how we shop inside it. Part I: the pros and cons of MySpace. Part II: two documentarians throw down over music at Wal-Mart. Coming up: Part III: iTunes and Part IV: iPod vs. Zune

Atmosphere

Soundcheck

With minimalist beats and confessional rhymes, the hip-hop duo Atmosphere became the toast of the hip-hop underground after it formed 10 years ago. Now, the group has turned to classic funk and soul, and frontman Slug is still telling captivating stories. They perform in our studio.

Tin Pan Alley

Soundcheck

A two-block stretch of West 28th Street was once the home of American songwriters and music publishers. But buildings in area are now up for sale, and preservationists fear a major development is in the works. We look at the history and future of Tin Pan Alley.

I Am Azerrad ... No, I Am Azerrad!

Soundcheck

Nirvana biographer and indie-rock historian Michael Azerrad writes about musicians for a living. Now, the British band Tubelord (pictured) has written about him -- and the lyrics are a tad scary.

Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile

Soundcheck

Two major players from the worlds of classical and American roots music have joined forces for an album of new material. They perform in our studio.

Tina Dico

Soundcheck

Singer-songwriter Tina Dico tops the charts in her native Denmark. She joins us to share songs from her latest full-length album, "Count to Ten," as well as a trilogy of EPs.