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Soundcheck / May 09, 2006

Soundcheck

Tuesday, May 09, 2006
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  • Jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson
    Jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson (cassandrawilson.com)

    Classical Recordings, From A Cappella to Zukerman

    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.

Classical CD Buying 101

Classical maven Ted Libbey joins us to share his secrets on buying and appreciating classical music.
» The NPR Listener's Encyclopedia Web site

Cassandra Wilson

Jazz songstress Cassandra Wilson shares her new Blue Note release, "Thunderbird."
» Cassandra Wilson's Web site

cab

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.

vote

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.

walmart

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

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

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.

Michael Azerrad

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

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

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.

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