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May 2006

Sweethearts of the Rodeo

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

She's lived in New York for 20 years, but singer Laura Cantrell is still a girl from Tennessee steeped in bluegrass and the American folk tradition. Continuing WNYC's week-long American Music Festival, Cantrell visits to share her picks of standout women in country and bluegrass music. Also: From the Marx Brothers to Monty Python, music has often inspired comedy, and vice-versa. Today, Michael Showalter, creator of the Comedy Central television series "Stella" and Eugene Mirman, a stand-up comedian, join us to reveal the links between the two art forms - and perhaps share a laugh. Finally: When summer rolls around many locals look to escape escape the city. But the ambitious River to River Festival offers a summer-long concert series to lure you to Lower Manhattan. Today, a look at how the festival has developed in the wake of 9/11.

More about WNYC's American Music Festival


From a Whisper to a Scream

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Soundcheck celebrates the American Music Festival with a look into the science of the voice. Can voices be regional? Is there an "American" voice? We'll also look into whether a good singing voice comes down to training, talent or strong vocal chords. Plus, we'll talk with a vocal coach with an unexpected focus, teaching rockers how to scream properly. Later in the show, a conversation with Stockholm based Norwegian singer/songwriter, Ane Brun. And finally, a preview of this Sunday's Bang on a Can Marathon, an 11-hour new-music festival, with Molly Sheridan, managing editor of Newmusicbox.org.


An "Idol" of a Different Sort

Monday, May 29, 2006

Every year, thousands of aspiring opera singers compete for cash and career boosts in the Metropolitan Opera Auditions. The competition is considered every bit as daunting as "American Idol," and like the Fox phenomenon, it's turned out some major stars. Today, as WNYC kicks off its week-long American Music Festival, we're joined by one of the brightest, tenor Ben Heppner, along with one of this year's winners, 28-year-old soprano Katherine Jolly. Also: there are great stories behind many American voices. Singer Darlene Love had multi-platinum records in the 60s, but hit a downturn and ended up working as a maid to earn a living. She joins us to talk about her return, getting to the movies and to Broadway. Finally, a live performance with jazz musician and composer Peter Eldridge.


The Death of the Broadway Musical

Friday, May 26, 2006

Despite the recent hoopla over the Tony nominations, industry watchers say it’s been a long, grim season on Broadway. New York Times chief theater critic Ben Brantley tells us why he recently declared the Broadway musical all but dead. Then we’ll hear from two veteran composer-lyricists who have written a new book on how to write a musical of your very own. Plus, Indian-American saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa will be by to share his new trio project, which fuses jazz with the improvised music of South Asia.


How Latin Music Found its Way to Main Street, USA

Thursday, May 25, 2006

While the U.S. Senate advances a sweeping immigration bill, Latin music continues to boom. Between 2004 and 2005, Latin music sales jumped by 14% while overall music sales declined by 3.9%. Los Angeles Times reporter Agustin Gurza and Putumayo records president Dan Storper examine why. Also on the show: a live performance from Elizabeth and the Catapult, a young band that meshes classical piano sounds, soulful vocals, and funky rhythmic grooves. Finally, the backlash from bad-mouthing the Bush administration ousted the Dixie Chicks from the country community, but it earned them lots of credibility and, according to some critics, a fresh sense of purpose. We look at their new bluegrass-meets-lite-rock CD, "Taking the Long Way."


American Idol Worship

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Over 30 million viewers are expected to tune into the American Idol finale, which airs tonight. Soundcheck looks into the reasons behind phenomenon. Beyond the passionate singing and pop tunes, the show has become a barometer of popular culture. We'll look at why it's so influential on the music industry, how it embraces the notion of failure, and how it stems from a long tradition of amateur talent contests. Later in the show an Americana idol, bluegrass musician Del McCoury performs live in studio. He'll talk about what it was like singing lead with Bill Monroe in 1963 and winning a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album last year.


From the Record Store Geek to the MP-She

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

A recent survey by the British media group Emap found that, contrary to popular belief, downloading has been enthusiastically taken up by women, who are also reading music magazines in greater numbers than before. Today, a look how the "MP-she" generation is bypassing the old boys' club of traditional record shops. Also: The duo of Paul de Jong and Nick Zammuto, known collectively as The Books, create intricate songs that blend guitar, cello and voice, along with electronic samples of musical instruments, snippets from movies, feet shuffling, or dishes rattling. They join us in advance of their appearance at the World Financial Center's Winter Garden in lower Manhattan.


Copyrights and Copywrongs

Monday, May 22, 2006

The recording industry has sued XM Satellite Radio, alleging it infringes copyrights by enabling its subscribers to record songs. We explore the implications of the suit and what it could mean for the future of satellite radio. Joining us is Steve Marks, general counsel of the Recording Industry Association, and Chance Patterson, vice president of corporate communications for XM. Then we go from high-tech to low-tech with singer and banjo player, Al Duvall. His album of vaudeville-inspired, Victorian parlor songs was recorded on wax cylinders and other lo-fi devices. He performs live in-studio.


Erasure Turns Acoustic

Friday, May 19, 2006

Erasure, the British synth-pop group whose early hits included "Chains of Love" and "Ship of Fools," won a cult-like following in the 1980s. Led by the flamboyant Andy Bell - one of the first openly gay performers in pop music - they became known for their intense melodies and sweeping electronic balladry. Nearly two decades later they have released a new acoustic album, "Union Street," and today they perform live in the studio. Also, a conversation with Peter Lavezzoli, author of The Dawn of Indian Music in the West: Bhairavi. He explains how a 1955 recording called "Music of India: Morning and Evening Ragas" was largely responsible for introducing Western audiences to the sounds of the Indian tabla and the tamboura.


In The Summertime

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Summer is nearly here, and that means plenty of live music. We'll sample some of the best local and destination music festivals, from Central Park SummerStage to Ozzfest. Plus, a look at the hottest summer tours. Then, filmmaker Byron Hurt discusses his documentary about hip hop culture and its depictions of manhood, "Beyond Beats and Rhymes." Plus, Jazz musician Dave Douglas discusses his new album.


Bono: Saint or Singer?

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

It's no secret that the Bible has been an inspiration for Bono, but is U2 "Christian rock?" We'll look into whether or not there are biblical and spiritual themes in U2's lyrics. Then, John talks with singer, songwriter and guitarist Tom Verlaine. Verlaine first turned heads back in the 1970s when his band Television rocked the stage at CBGB's. Critics claim his playing has influenced bands like Sonic Youth, Interpol and The Strokes. Verlaine talks about his post-Televison career and his latest records, his first studio albums in 14 years. Plus, the latest frontier of music promotion, strip clubs.


The Crowded Market of Podcasting

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Nearly a year after Apple began offering podcasts on iTunes, podcasting has become a surprisingly diverse audio genre - the Wild West of the media landscape. Thousands of companies and individuals offer podcasts on every conceivable subject. Today, we look at some of the best and worst of the medium, from those offering university lectures and stocktips to indie rock and more. We'll get a state of the podcast business and hear from a skeptic who believes it may just be a fad.


Critics' Darlings

Monday, May 15, 2006

In the eyes of critics, there are some musicians who can do no wrong. We look into critics' darlings, from Neil Young to Radiohead. Find out why some artists are always positively reviewed. Plus, Imani Winds perform live in-studio and discuss their latest album. The quintet, comprised of horn, flute, bassoon, clarinet, oboe—last recently received a Grammy nomination for "Best Classical Crossover."


The Worst Moments in Music History

Friday, May 12, 2006

Blender Magazine recently published its list of "The 50 Worst Things Ever to Happen to Music." From jukebox musicals to Madonna's faux British accent, Soundcheck looks into what made their list and why. Plus, Pink Floyd's 1973 album "Dark Side of the Moon" recently set a record by becoming the first album in history to spend 1,500 weeks on the Billboard charts. Billboard's deputy editor sheds light on the staying power of "Dark Side of the Moon."


Is Springsteen a Sacred Cow?

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Bruce Springsteen is widely acknowledged as one of America's great songwriters, alongside Bob Dylan, Prince and Paul Simon. But he's also the most sacred of rock's sacred cows. Today we ask: is Springsteen overrated? Critic Rob O'Connor, who makes a spirited case against "Born in the U.S.A." in the book "Kill Your Idols," joins us. Also with us is Warren Zanes, vice president of education and public programs at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where Springsteen was a 1999 inductee. Also on the show: Violinist Elizabeth Pitcairn gives an in-studio performance on "The Hammer," a rare Stradivari violin that is being auctioned off Tuesday at Christie's. The 1707 instrument is estimated to be worth $1.5 to $2.5 million.


What Is World Music?

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

The label "World Music" has been attached to all types of musicians, from Tibetan monks to West African hip hop artists. But what does the term really mean? Why do some artists find the label misleading? New York Times pop music critic Jon Pareles is joined by veteran record producer and musicologist David Lewiston to look into the sprawling genre of "World Music".


Classical Recordings, From A Cappella to Zukerman

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

For the newcomer to classical music, walking into the classical-music section of your local record store can be a daunting experience. Suddenly, you're faced with a bewildering assortment of CD's and you seldom have a road map to navigate by. Today, Ted Libbey, formerly of NPR's Performance Today, moves beyond the arcane language and insidery talk and shares his secrets to buying and appreciating classical music, detailed his new book "The NPR Listener's Encyclopedia of Classical Music." Also on the show is Cassandra Wilson. She's one of today's most-respected jazz vocalists and is known for blurring the lines between jazz, folk and blues, as she does on her new CD, "Thunderbird," which was produced by veteran producer T-Bone Burnett. She joins us today.


Country Roads: Emmylou Harris and Mark Knopfler

Monday, May 08, 2006

Emmylou Harris and Mark Knopfler share their new record "All the Roadrunning". The album took nearly seven years to complete, and is filled with a mix of "love 'em" and "leave 'em" songs. Plus, music and the Cold War. Back in the mid-1950s, the U.S. State Department deployed an unlikely tool in the propaganda war against the Soviets: federally funded tours of jazz musicians, like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. Author Penny Von Escher discusses this historical moment and her book "Satchmo Blows Up the World: Jazz Ambassadors Play the Cold War."


Indie Music Breaks Through on T.V.

Friday, May 05, 2006

Since its debut in 2003 the hit Fox show "The O.C." has become a bellwether for music fans seeking the next big thing in indie rock. Countless artists -- from Death Cab for Cutie to The Subways to singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens -- have received a boost after performing their music, having it played, or even just being mentioned on the show. Today, Alexandra Patsavas, music supervisor of "The O.C." and "Grey's Anatomy," joins us to talk about the art of finding buzz-worthy bands. Also on the show: the Indian mandolin whiz U. Srinivas gives a live performance of the South Indian (Carnatic) classical repertoire. Finally, a look at Cinco de Mayo with Jesus Perez, of the cultural organization Casa Puebla, and a live performance by Trio Perez.


The Best Pop Song Ever Recorded?

Thursday, May 04, 2006

It was released nearly 41 years ago, but Bob Dylan's classic single, "Like A Rolling Stone" is still considered a triumph. In 2004 Rolling Stone Magazine declared it the best song of all time, and rock journalist and author Greil Marcus explains why he believes it remains the best pop song ever recorded. Plus, visual artist and composer Laurie Anderson talks about her video work "Hidden Inside Mountains", that is playing at the Tribeca Film Festival.


The High-Tech Science of Thomas Dolby

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Thomas Dolby may be best known for his 80s hit single, "She Blinded Me with Science" (complete with a iconic 80s video) but these days he's a tech geek of a different sort. Today, the producer, inventor and entrepreneur, talks about founding his own company that created the polyphonic ringtone software used in over 100 million cellular phones. Also: Josh Ritter's third album, "The Animal Years" is just out and it finds him expanding beyond the usual singer-songwriter mould into more adventurous territory. He joins us to share highlights. Finally, a look at "Sounds of Silence" a film premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival that profiles underground Iranian rockers and rappers struggling with censorship.


Examining the Pixies

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

The Pixies' rise to critical fame in the late 1980s and wildly successful reunion tour have firmly established the band as an alternative rock legend. Music writer Ben Sisario breaks down their album "Doolittle" and explains why it was truly ahead of its time. Then, tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin discusses his work with The Dave Douglas Quintet. Plus, a conversation with artists from the "Look and Listen Festival", an event that celebrates the intersection of music and visual arts.


A Spanish Show of Strength

Monday, May 01, 2006

Today is expected to be a national day of protest for immigrant rights. Mexican-American singer-songwriter Lila Downs stops by to discuss why she feels the immigration debate is so critical, and also weigh in the controversy surrounding the new Spanish version of the "Star Spangled Banner." Also: The firm Rafael Viñoly Architects has designed some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, from Philadelphia's Kimmel Center to Jazz at Lincoln Center theater to the Tokyo International Forum, a performing-arts and convention center. It's perhaps not surprising then that he almost pursued a career as a concert pianist. Today, "starchitect" Viñoly discusses the music that inspires his designs. Finally, a live performance by the band Hem.