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Soundcheck

Monday, July 18, 2005
  • With Billie by Julia Blackburn
    With Billie (Julia Blackburn)

    Rhapsody in Red

    Like good fusion cuisine, the music of Chinese-born composer Ge Gan-ru mixes ancient Chinese and modern Western ingredients. He visits the studio today to share his story, which included consigned work in an agricultural labor camp, and later, studies at the Shanghai Conservatory and Columbia University. His latest CD is "Chinese Rhapsody." Also: author Julia Blackburn stops by to talk about her new biography of jazz legend Billie Holiday. Later, critic and lecturer Fred Plotkin shares his review of the French film "The Beat That My Heart Skipped," the story of a real estate thug who struggles to give up his shady lifestyle to become a concert pianist.

Julia Blackburn

Julia Blackburn sheds new light the tragic life of Billie Holiday.
» Read an extract from Julia Blackburn's book

Ge Gan-ru

Chinese Composer Ge Gan-ru shares his remarkable life story, and music.
» A Ge Gan-ru bio

Fred Plotkin Goes to The Movies

Critic Fred Plotkin reviews the stylish new French film, The Beat that My Heart Skipped.
» More about The Beat that My Heart Skipped

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.