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Soundcheck / July 25, 2005

Soundcheck

Monday, July 25, 2005
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  • Charlie Poole - www.charlie-poole.com
    Charlie Poole

    Banjo History, and Berlin today

    Banjo player Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers were one of the most popular string bands of the 1920s. Infused with ragtime and pop, their style of swing music was way ahead of its time. Today on Soundcheck, composer Henry Sapoznick talks us through the life and influence of Charlie Poole and the newly released three-CD box set of the remastered original recordings of Charlie Poole. Also: Wunderamerikaner Frank Dodge founded the privately-funded chamber music series Spectrum Concerts in Berlin, Germany. In a country where government funding supports the majority of arts, Spectrum has been unique in that it receives no government subsidies and relies solely on tickets sales, program ads, foundations and contributions by private individuals. Dodge visits us to talk about the group’s success and what American musicians can learn from his experience abroad.

Marin Alsop goes to Baltimore

The board of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra voted last week to appoint American conductor Marin Alsop to its top artistic post. The decision comes in spite of opposition from the orchestra's musicians. We get the scoop from Drew McManus, a Baltimore-based author of Adaptistration a blog about arts administration on Artsjournal.com.

Henry Sapoznik, musician and musicologist

An interview with musicologist, composer and performer Henry Sapoznik.
» More information about Henry Sapoznik
» Charlie Poole homepage at Legacy Recordings
» Charlie Poole fan site

Taking the state out of the arts

Germany's privately funded Spectrum Concerts.
» Spectrum Concert's Web site

cab

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.

vote

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.

walmart

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

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

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.

Michael Azerrad

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

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

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.