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October 2006

A Duo of Divas

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Rolling Stone magazine has called Courtney Love "the most controversial woman in the history of rock." Certainly, about everyone has a strong opinion about the former leader of the band Hole. Today, she shares stories about her life as musician, actress, and widow of rock icon Kurt Cobain, some of which are detailed in her new book "Dirty Blonde: The Diaries of Courtney Love." Also: Marisa Monte, an opera-trained pop samba fusionist from Brazil, joins us as she embarks on her first Ameriacn tour in six years. Her seductive voice is showcased on two very different new albums - one being a collection of samba songs and another featuring contemporary pop hits.


Does the CMJ Music Marathon Matter?

Monday, October 30, 2006

It's that time of year again - when more than a thousand bands arrive in New York to perform as part of the CMJ Music Marathon. Also: you’ve heard how the Internet is helping indie bands avoid traditional labels and get their music out to fans. But are they making any money? We’ll try and get some answers. And: pianist Adam Kent performs the music by the sizzling Spanish composer Granados.


Is Music Ownership a Thing of the Past?

Friday, October 27, 2006

The future of the music industry is filled with questions about copyright protection, downloading, and artists' rights. Today, a panel of experts weighs in on the topic. Guests include Moby, the electronica superstar, activist and entrepreneur; Hilary Rosen, a music consultant and the former chief executive of the Recording Industry Association of America; and Terry McBride, the maverick head of Nettwerk Music Group, an indie label/management/publishing group that is threatening to transform the way the music industry does business. Moby, who has just released a new album of greatest hits, also performs live in the studio.


It's Hip, and It's Heavy Metal

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Heavy Metal has been a great many things, but it’s never been cool. Never, until now perhaps. We’ll look at the emergence of the Hipster Metal movement. Also: A live performance from The Be Good Tanyas.


Making Hit Music into a Science

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Is there a science to making a hit song? A company called Platinum Blue Music Intelligence is being used by some record labels to help determine whether a song will become a hit or not. Some swear by its accuracy but others wonder if it reduces a complex art to a simple formula. Joining us is Mike McCready, the company's CEO, and Jack Perricone, the chair of the songwriting department at the Berklee College of Music. Also: The Gotan Project is an international crew of DJs whose music blends tango and electronica. Their latest album, "Lunatico," is named after tango hero Carlos Gardel's champion racehorse.


Gandhi Still Rocks

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

We look at how 100th anniversary of Mohandas Gandhi's philosophy of peaceful resistance -- known as "Satyagraha" -- is being marked this year in musical tributes. Also: tenor saxophonist Bennie Wallace. And, an update on that controversial Russian website that’s been selling song downloads for pennies.


New Jersey vs. Long Island: Where's the Better Music?

Monday, October 23, 2006

Last week, organizers announced a Long Island Music Hall of Fame, whose first inductees include Billy Joel, Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, Vanilla Fudge, Mose Allison, and Harry Chapin. At the same time, there's a music hall of fame in the works for New Jersey as well. Today, the organizers of both halls join us as we ask: Tony Bennett or Frank Sinatra? Bruce Springsteen or Billy Joel? Yo La Tango versus Blue Oyster Cult? Also: Folk singer Maria Muldaur made it big in the 70s with the hit "Midnight At The Oasis." She joins us to talk about her tribute to the love songs of Bob Dylan.


Pitch and Swing

Friday, October 20, 2006

The World Series gets underway on Saturday, and we explore the surprising parallels between music and sports. Also: a live performance from the New York roots band Hazmat Modine.


Keeping the Duo Dynamic

Thursday, October 19, 2006

For the past twenty years, the Indigo Girls have combined hard-edged, politically-driven rock with personal, folk-inspired songs. Their newest album, called "Despite our Differences," features their immediately identifiable vocal harmonies, catchy choruses and topical lyrics. The Georgia duo joins us. Also: Pop music in the courtroom. An increasing number of popular tunes have been used in legal cases. Not surprisingly, Bob Dylan is the most popular artist in legal scholarship. But can the singer-songwriter help lawyers win cases? Find out as we speak with Oklahoma City University law professor Alex B. Long.


Punk Rock Heroine

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

She was a pioneer punk rock queen in the 80s. Now the legendary singer Patti Smith has turned her attention to another radical woman: Joan of Arc. Smith explains her fascination with the French national heroine. And, award-winning music critic Gary Giddins. His newest book is a collection of his finest writings on everything from jazz to film noir.


The Sound That Shook Brazil

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Sex, samba and rebellion came together to form Tropicalia, an aggressive modern arts movement born in late-60's Brazil and now being celebrated in an exhibit at the Bronx Museum of Art. Today, a look at Tropicalia's vibrant musical legacy with guitarist and composer Arto Lindsay, and with scholar Christopher Dunn. Also on the show: Combining electronica, rock and jazz, the Dub Trio pay homage to the original dub style, inspired by the Jamaican electronics and sound engineer, King Tubby. The group performs live in the studio. And finally: Some Christian music fans believe digital downloading is a way to spread the Word. Other voices tell them: Thou shalt not steal. Los Angeles Times writer Geoff Boucher explains.


Insomniac's Dream

Monday, October 16, 2006

A new cd called "Bedtime Beats" claims to be a guaranteed sleep remedy. It's based on research that shows that some classical music and soft jazz will induce a sound sleep. Today: a declared insomniac gives his review. Also, former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinksy discusses the poetry and the music of Dante's Inferno. And: a live performance by blues-inspired singer-songwriter Jess Klein.


Recovering Music and Traditions in New Orleans

Friday, October 13, 2006

Music is both a way of life and an industry in New Orleans but the city's native traditions are seriously endangered as musicians have either fled the city or struggle with daily challenges of housing and loans. Jazz journalist Larry Blumenfeld has been reporting on the city's challenges as part of the Katrina Media Fellows program. He joins us to examine whether - and how - the Crescent City can preserve its culture. Also: Alice Donut, a post-punk band formed in the East Village in late 1980's, and which disbanded for a time in the late 90s, is back together with a new album called "Fuzz." Finally: Find out who's the winner of WNYC's contest to seek out New York's biggest Beethoven fan.


Playing Beethoven

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Actor Ed Harris talks about his role in the upcoming film "Copying Beethoven," in which he unleashes his trademark intensity in playing the ailing, deaf, and defiantly productive musical genius. Also: the bare-footed Brazilian singer and guitarist Badi Assad, performs live. And: Rock songs that boost SAT test scores.


The Juilliard Quartet at 60

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Sixty years ago, the Juilliard String Quartet arrived on the scene with an edgy, urban sound that both shocked and delighted the musical establishment. The all-American group has played more than 500 compositions, commissioned numerous pieces and paved the way for a lot of other American string quartets. Today, find out how the quartet has kept its unique sound alive when it performs in the studio. Also: Terry Gilliam, film director and member of the Monty Python comedy group, talks about his new film "Tideland," about a ten year-old-girl who prepares heroin for her father, plays with doll's heads and seduces a simpleton – and the haunting music that goes with it.


Women on Top

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

The most powerful women making music: Billboard Magazine has just released its list of "The Top 20 Women in Music," from controversial pop star Courtney Love to the best female role models in the Christian world. Also: Jazz pianist Jason Moran and performance artist Joan Jonas perform live in anticipation of their installation coming to DIA Beacon. Finally: Tower Records, the 46-year-old record store chain, which had filed for Chapter 11 in August, was sold to the liquidation company Great American in a bankruptcy auction. Was it a victim of online retail and big-box stores or did it have itself to blaim? Joining us is Dale Kasler, a reporter for the Sacramento Bee, where the chain is based.


The MP-She Generation

Monday, October 09, 2006

A recent survey by the British media group Emap found that downloading has been enthusiastically taken up by women. 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 are known collectively as The Books. They play live in the studio. This is a repeat broadcast.


The Changing Face of DJ Culture

Friday, October 06, 2006

Since the 1970's DJ's have slowly gained acceptance, from being live jukeboxes to musical artists, producers and business professionals. Now they're facing competition from amateurs with iPods, laptop jocks, and celebrity wanabee's. Today, a look at the range in DJ culture, from the amateur to the true artist. Joining us is Kelefa Sanneh, pop music critic of the New York Times, DJ Logic, the turntablist who collaborates with jazz musicians and jam bands and Mason Bates, a classically trained composer, and accomplished DJ. Also on the show: Iranian kamancheh (Persian fiddle) player Kayhan Kalhor shares music from his latest album, "The Rain."


Phishing for a New, Solo Career

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Trey Anastasio, the former frontman of the jam-band Phish has just put out his second solo release. He performs live in the studio. Also: Saxophonist and bandleader Branford Marsalis talks about his work with the Habitat For Humanity Musicians’ Village project in his native New Orleans. And, a preview of the upcoming Ear to the Earth Festival.


The Price of Celebrity

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Kurt Cobain and Janis Joplin all achieved monumental fame in their lifetime, and it wasn't always a good thing. Today on the show, we look at the impact of fame on musicians and celebrities of all kinds, and their fans. Also, the newest record from the indie band, The Decemberists, combines a tragic Japanese folk tale with a fair dose of rock'n'roll. The band brings their highly literate pop music by for a live performance.


Steve Reich Celebration

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Composer Steve Reich may be as hip at age 70 as he was at 30, influencing DJs, electronic artists and choreographers. Reich joins us on his 70th birthday to talk about his latest work including "Daniel Variations," named after the late Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. Also: The Brazilian Girls play live in the studio.

Happy Birthday Steve Reich
See pictures on Soundcheck's flickr page!


Browsing the Immigrant Record Stores

Monday, October 02, 2006

While big music chains like Tower Records are facing bankruptcy, New York's small neighborhood record shops are thriving. They range from a West African music shop in Harlem to a Brighton Beach store that sells Russian rap. Journalist Siddhartha Mitter has combed the stacks of some of these shops and joins us today with a guided tour. Also: Alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett's new album, "Beyond the Wall," is a tribute to Chinese culture inspired by his recent trip to that country. It also builds on the Asian-jazz fusion that artists like John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders pursued for the Impulse label in the '60s. He joins us with a preview. Finally: For the past 10 or so years, artists and record companies have been increasing the overall loudness of pop and rock albums, using ever increasing degrees of compression during mastering. Austin American-Statesman music critic Joe Gross tells us why.