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Soundcheck

Wednesday, March 22, 2006
  • Frank Gehry's Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain
    Frank Gehry's Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain

    Can Concert Halls Save Downtown?

    The "build it and they will come" theory has fueled an arts real-estate boom in numerous urban areas. Recently, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center announced plans for a high-rise development in downtown Newark, while Lincoln Center approved the first phase of its plans to re-shape West 65th Street. Add to this the World Trade Center site, not to mention intentions to rebuild New Orleans, and it's a major and complex issue. Joining us is Adrian Ellis, the director of AEA Consulting, and Robin Pogrebin, a reporter at the New York Times. Also joining us is singer and lyricist Sathima Bea Benjamin. Since the early '60s she has performed jazz standards and show tunes, traditional South African music and her own original pieces.

Build it, but will they come?

New York Times reporter Robin Pogrebin and urban planner Adrian Ellis join us to look at revitalizing downtowns through culture.
» Can Culture Save Downtown?

Music You Can't Download

Michael Endelman, music writer for Entertainment Weekly, tells us why you can't find The Beatles, Metallica, Led Zepplin and others online.

Sathima Benjamin

Singer and lyricist Sathima Bea Benjamin joins us.
» Sathima Bea Benjamin's Web site

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.