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Soundcheck

Tuesday, August 08, 2006
  • Franz Liszt
    Franz Liszt

    Labels, Lenine and Liszt

    It's been an especially tough year for the record industry. American album sales fell 5 percent during the third quarter. Weekly album sales recently hit a 10-year low. And recently, after months of talks, EMI and Warner Music Group announced that they were pulling the plug on a proposed merger that would have created the world's second largest music company. But according to Gerd Leonhard, an industry consultant and co-author of the book "The Future of Music," music fans have much to be optimistic about. Also: Lenine, one of Brazil's most celebrated songwriters, who mixes funk, rock and his native maracatu, performs live in the studio. And finally, Leon Botstein, conductor, historian and president of Bard College, talks about his school's upcoming festival devoted to Franz Liszt, arguably the most controversial composer of the 19th century.

The Record Company of the Future

Gerd Leonhard, co-author of "The future of Music," predicts what record companies will look like in the future.
» Gerd Leonhard's Web site

Lenine

The Brazilian singer-songwriter Lenine is releasing his debut album in the U.S. He performs live in the studio.
» Lenine's Web site

Leon Botstein on Liszt

Leon Botstein, conductor, historian and president of Bard College, talks about the 17th annual Bard Music Festival, "Franz Liszt and His World."
» Bard Music Festival 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.