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Soundcheck

Tuesday, September 06, 2005
  • Diamanda Galas photo
    Diamanda Galas (www.diamandagalas.com)

    Scream Queen

    Diamanda Galas ignores the traditional ways in which women are expected to sing and instead offers a cross between Dracula and Goth-rock as she takes on subjects including power, abandonment, grief and the AIDS epidemic. She returns to New York for two performances of "Defixiones, Orders from the Dead" an operatic mass which speaks of the Armenian, Assyrian, Anatolian and Pontic Greek genocides. She joins us to talk about the New York premiere. Also on the show: Rivers and Tides director Thomas Riedelsheimer drops by to discuss his new documentary on Grammy award-winning, deaf percussionist Evelyn Glennie entitled Touch the Sound.

Touch the Sound

Thomas Riedelsheimer discusses his new documentary on Grammy award-winning, deaf percussionist Evelyn Glennie entitled Touch the Sound.

Diamanda Galas

She's not the girl next door, but if you want someone to sing about childbirth, torture or the ravings of the madman, Diamanda Galas is your go-to vocalist. She joins us today.

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.

The Journey of Quincy Jones

Soundcheck

During his 50-year career, Quincy Jones has worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Puff Daddy, founded Vibe magazine, collected countless awards, and earned a reputation as a jazz giant. (Somewhere in there, he found time to make possible an album called "Thriller.") Jones joins us on the occasion of his new book, "The Complete Quincy Jones: My Journey & Passions."

Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on Quincy Jones, Henry Rollins and the term "Renaissance man"

Pop's Love Affair With Death

Soundcheck

Death may be an unpleasant topic for conversation, but it ranks up there with sex and love as a basic ingredient in song lyrics. Today, we look at how pop music copes (and even thrives) with death. We're joined by Graeme Thomson, author of the self-explanatory book, "I Shot a Man in Reno: A History of Death By Murder, Suicide, Fire, Flood, Drugs, Disease and General Misadventure, as Related in Popular Song."

Soundcheck blog: What's your favorite song about death?

Behind the public face of John Lennon

Soundcheck

Writing a book about the Beatles is to enter a crowded market. But Philip Norman’s new 851-page biography, “John Lennon: The Life” is getting much buzz this fall for the unprecedented access provided by Lennon’s friends and relatives, including Yoko Ono. We talk with Norman about why Lennon remains such a fascinating and troubled figure.

The Soul of British Soul

Soundcheck

British soul divas like Amy Winehouse and Duffy owe a big debt to a '60s icon with a breathy voice and a beehive wig. Today: the story of singer Dusty Springfield. Later: folk-rock artist Ani DiFranco performs songs from her new album "Red Letter Year" live in our studio.