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Soundcheck

Monday, December 04, 2006
  • what's next in music?

    More Music Online

    We take a look at the search for the next new thing in online music: from growing waves of online music communities to musicians who make use of new technology to distribute their music. Also: "Still Life with Commentator," a new multimedia oratorio about how the media covers the war.

Music Online

Singer-songwriter Jonathan Coulton tells us how he quit his job as computer programer and now posts his songs online, creates podcasts and has even played himself in a video game. We also speak with John Jurgensen, entertainment reporter for The Wall Street Journal about the latest trends in online music communities.

Jonathan Coulton's website

Still Lfe with Commentator

Composer Vijay Iyer, director Ibrahim Quraishi and hip hop artist Michael Ladd preview "Still Life with Commentator," a new multimedia oratorio about how the media covers the war.

Vijay Iyer's website
Brooklyn Academy of Music website
Mike Ladd on MySpace
Ibrahim Quraishi'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.

The Journey of Quincy Jones

Soundcheck

During his 50-year career, Quincy Jones has worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Puff Daddy, founded Vibe magazine, collected countless awards, and earned a reputation as a jazz giant. (Somewhere in there, he found time to make possible an album called "Thriller.") Jones joins us on the occasion of his new book, "The Complete Quincy Jones: My Journey & Passions."

Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on Quincy Jones, Henry Rollins and the term "Renaissance man"

Pop's Love Affair With Death

Soundcheck

Death may be an unpleasant topic for conversation, but it ranks up there with sex and love as a basic ingredient in song lyrics. Today, we look at how pop music copes (and even thrives) with death. We're joined by Graeme Thomson, author of the self-explanatory book, "I Shot a Man in Reno: A History of Death By Murder, Suicide, Fire, Flood, Drugs, Disease and General Misadventure, as Related in Popular Song."

Soundcheck blog: What's your favorite song about death?

Behind the public face of John Lennon

Soundcheck

Writing a book about the Beatles is to enter a crowded market. But Philip Norman’s new 851-page biography, “John Lennon: The Life” is getting much buzz this fall for the unprecedented access provided by Lennon’s friends and relatives, including Yoko Ono. We talk with Norman about why Lennon remains such a fascinating and troubled figure.

The Soul of British Soul

Soundcheck

British soul divas like Amy Winehouse and Duffy owe a big debt to a '60s icon with a breathy voice and a beehive wig. Today: the story of singer Dusty Springfield. Later: folk-rock artist Ani DiFranco performs songs from her new album "Red Letter Year" live in our studio.