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Soundcheck

Friday, January 27, 2006
  • Mozart and Nazis

    Happy Birthday Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart! To conclude our weeklong coverage, we go live to Salzburg with our correspondent Fred Plotkin. Then, British writer Erik Levi looks at what happened when Mozart was embraced by Nazi propagandists in 1941, and how his works were used to promote the Führer's cause. And Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings stop by to perform their music which captures the feel of '60s soul and funk.

Happy Birthday Amadeus!

Correspondent Fred Plotkin covers the Salzburg celebration of Mozart's 250th.
» Mozart's 250th website

Mozart and Nazis

British writer Erik Levi looks at what happened when Mozart was embraced by Nazi propagandists in 1941, and how his works were used to promote the Führer's cause.
» Erik Levi bio

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings stop by to perform their music which captures the feel of '60s soul and funk.
» Sharon Jones page on Daptone

Noteworthy New York

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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"

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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

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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

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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

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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!

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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

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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

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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.