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Soundcheck

Thursday, March 23, 2006
  • Richard Hawley
    Richard Hawley (richardhawley.co.uk)

    Bringing Down the House

    Today on Soundcheck, Peter Gelb got his first job at the Metropolitan Opera working as an usher. Now he's its incoming general manager. We talk to Gelb and open the phones to let you weigh in. Also, French lawmakers passed legislation on Tuesday requiring digital-music players to adopt common software standards. What will that ruling mean for Apple on the Continent? And: a live performance by the old-fashioned, lovelorn singer and songwriter Richard Hawley.

Peter Gelb, General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera

We open the phones with the incoming manager of one of the country's most important cultural institutions, the Metropolitan Opera.
» Metropolitan Opera web site

Apple, Adieu!

We'll check out how Apple computer is battling it out with the French government over its iTunes service.

Richard Hawley's songs for the lovelorn

The singer and songwriter Richard Hawley performs live in the studio.
» Richard Hawley's website

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.