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January 2007

Buena Vista Rapper Club

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

"East of Havana" is a new documentary about the struggle of hip-hop artists in Cuba. Today, the film's creators explain how they focus on the lives and friendship of three young rappers who are compelled to address their generation's future from the confines of Cuba's capital. Also: Michael Christie, the 32-year-old music director of the Brooklyn Philharmonic, joins us to talk about his plans to bring in new audiences to the orchestra, and about the season's first program, which includes a piece for didgeridoo alongside Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring." Finally: The most awesomely demented music fans – from Parrotheads to Phisheads.


Respect Your Indie Elders

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

David Byrne has been called “perhaps the single greatest influence on the current generation of indie rockers." Today he joins us to talk about creativity, copyright, and why he’s written a song cycle about Imelda Marcos. Also: Downtown band-leader Howard Fishman interprets Bob Dylan’s Basement Tapes.


How to Stop Worrying and Love Yoko Ono?

Monday, January 29, 2007

She is arguably the world's most famous widow: often maligned, largely mysterious Japanese avant-garde artist whose relationship with John Lennon made her a polarizing force in the music world. Today, a look at her impact in light her new album, "Yes, I'm a Witch." Later on the show: Soul singer Ryan Shaw started singing in churches and choirs before getting the attention of a talent scout. He joins us to talk about his new record, signed under a major label.


The Art of Mess

Friday, January 26, 2007

Many people suffer guilt over their messy desks and homes. Today: we look at how a little disorder can actually benefit creativity and art. Send us a photo of your mess and then tune in to see what it means. Also: Jazz-folk band Tin Hat play live in studio.


Rocking against Genocide

Thursday, January 25, 2007

A new documentary, "Screamers," tells the story of how the 1915 Armenian genocide in Turkey informs the music and activism of the multi-platinum metal band System Of A Down. We talk to the film's director, Carla Garapedian. Also: Composers Philip Glass and Robert Moran join us to talk about sharing the musical duties on the chamber opera "The Juniper Tree," a grim retelling of the Grimms Brothers fairy tale of the same name. Finally: the Copacabana is moving to make way for the number 7 train. Find out what's in store as we talk to the club's owner.


The Rhythm of Power

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

While CEOs are gathering in Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, lefties are in Nairobi for the World Social Forum. Today we look at which musicians are aligning themselves with each event. Also: former Throwing Muses singer Kristin Hersh performs live in our studio.


Cooking up some Hot Buttered Soul

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

It's been 50 years since the legendary soul label Stax opened its doors in Memphis, Tenn. It went bankrupt in 1975, but it's now being reactivated this year with a host of deluxe reissues, special events and new releanses slated. Today, we look at its history and future with Isaac Hayes, a soul legend in his own right who, of course, gave the 1971 film "Shaft" its iconic theme music. Also on the show: the New York-based band Pistolera, which started playing their brand of high-powered latin folk in 2005 at a party in Brooklyn.


Off-the-Wall Ideas

Monday, January 22, 2007

Mayor Bloomberg recently announced that more public art is planned for 2007. Today: we look at “How much is too much?” with the video-artist who turned MoMA into a drive-in, Doug Aitken. Also: Soul singer, and former Navy officer, Ruthie Foster performs live.


Life after Dead

Friday, January 19, 2007

There's more to the Grateful Dead than tie-dyed shirts and drug-fueled improvisation. Today, a look why their music is more complex than you may think -- and how they inspire today's musicians. We speak with two performers in a Dead tribute concert this weekend: Jorma Kaukonen (Hot Tuna, Jefferson Airplane) and Andy Statman (who played with Jerry Garcia in the early '70s), about what a long strange trip it's been. Also: Chilean vocalist and composer Francesca Acarola performs music made in tribute to Victor Jara, a songwriter murdered by that country's dictatorship regime in the 1970s.


Rethinking Performing Arts

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Performing arts presenters are all over New York this week looking for stars and booking shows. We discuss what it takes to get a booking in 2007. Also: Cape Verdian singer Sara Tavares and New York-based Cambodian-bred pop band Dengue Fever play live in our studio.


The Venues They Are A Changin'

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

The Williamsburg section of Brooklyn went from being an industrial neighborhood to an artists' haven. But now some of the music clubs that drove its renewal are being either bought, as in the case of Northsix, or pushed out. Today, a look at gentrification and the changing face of Brooklyn's rock club scene. Also: Gilbert Kalish and Wu Han. The classical pianists will perform excerpts from the four-hand piano version of Stravinsky's monumental "Rite of Spring" live in our studio. Finally, The Hold Steady. Sometimes referred to as "America's best bar band," the New York-based group joins us with their whisky soaked musical tales.


The Renaissance Will Not Be Televised

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Arturo Toscanini brought classical music to prime-time when leading the NBC Symphony Orchestra in the 1940s. Today, exactly 50 years after the death of the celebrated Italian maestro, we look at whether he would make it on TV today. Also: Avant-garde composer Robert Ashley joins us to talk about bringing opera into the age of multimedia. Finally, in an effort to address payola complaints dogging big labels and radio stations, the FCC is now considering a plan that would require radio stations to set aside airtime for independently produced music.


The Sounds of Starbucks

Monday, January 15, 2007

What is the sound of Starbucks? Today, a look at how Starbucks is cornering the market on mature, sultry-jazz pop with Mark Rahner, a reporter at the Seattle Times. Also: Baaba Maal shares his unique blend of Senegalese pop, traditional West African song, reggae and dance music. And: the Boston folk-rock duo The Weepies play live. They weren't shedding any tears after their last album peaked at number one on the iTunes folk chart. This is a repeat broadcast.


A Blast from the Brass

Friday, January 12, 2007

Brass bands have been a fixture of military bands around the world for centuries but in just the past decade they been spicing up New York's music scene. There's traditional New Orleans-style and funky Eastern European. Today, we hear the story of this surprisingly diverse genre from brass expert Frank London, and we get a live performance by the funky Balkan group Slavic Soul Party.


Vive La France

Thursday, January 11, 2007

While many heads have rolled inside the Bush administration, the most powerful man in the arts is holding onto his job. Tomorrow: Chairman of the NEA Dana Gioia weighs in on the state of arts funding in America. Also: French composer/pianist Michel Legrand joins us just as a major French jazz series gets underway here in New York. And: a live performance by Paris-based jazz vocalist Mina Agossi.


Thou Shalt Write Epic Film Scores

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

For every historical film epic there's a sweeping Hollywood soundtrack -- whether it's current examples like HBO's "Rome," or classics like "Ben-Hur" and "The Greatest Story Ever Told." Today, a look at the ten commandments of writing epic film scores with Jon Burlingame, the film historian and USC professor; and Jeff Beal, the composer of the soundtrack to "Rome." Also on the show: After five years of playing in venues like Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, the Chiara String Quartet is now taking its act to bars and rock clubs. It's all part of a larger effort to reach younger audiences. They tell us how it's going and perform live in the studio.


Going It Alone

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Plenty of musicians leave successful groups to go solo. But while some reach new heights of success (Peter Gabriel, Justin Timberlake) others...not so much (Ringo Starr anyone?). We look at the finer points of launching a solo career. Also: Singer-songwriter Emily Haines takes time out from the Canadian indie rock band Metric for a solo tour and a live performance in the Soundcheck studios.


Survival of the Fittest

Monday, January 08, 2007

Why do some songs survive the test of time while others go the way of the eight-track? We look at "musical Darwinism" with Leon Botstein, president of Bard College and music director of the American Symphony Orchestra, and Warren Zanes of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Also: Football player-turned-operatic bass Morris Robinson talks about his remarkable career path. The 330-pound singer got his start playing offensive guard at The Citadel. Now he's singing in "The Magic Flute" at the Met. He'll perform live and share his predictions for tonight's national championship game, in which top-ranked Ohio State faces off against Florida.


Rock in the Global Village

Friday, January 05, 2007

Europe got a little bigger this week when Bulgaria and Romania entered into the European Union. Today, how an expanding Europe impacts local music scenes – and how the internet might make Europe itself obsolete. Also: a live performance by the downtown band, Christina Courtin and the Running Kicks. And, the online music site Idolator releases its first annual Jackin' Pop Music Poll.


George Gershwin's Rhapsody of Life

Thursday, January 04, 2007

George Gershwin's Tin Pan Alley hits were inspired by his rough Lower East Side upbringing. Today we speak with musicologist and author, Howard Pollack about whether the legendary songwriter of "Porgy and Bess," and "The Man I Love," whom he argues really belongs among serious classical composers. Also: The New York Times recently noted that singer-songwriter Lee Feldman "uses a Tin Pan Alley bounce to make twisted or troubled situations sound like parlor songs." He joins us with a live performance. Finally, a look ahead to developments in digital music sales in 2007.


Tune in, Turn On, Work Out

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Millions of Americans have vowed to exercise more in the New Year. We speak with Corey Seymour, editor at Runner's World about what music works best to get your heart racing and we review the latest running accessory from Nike and iPod. And we take your calls on music that motivates you on the treadmill. Also: a live performance by the ethereal roots band, The Last Town Chorus.


The Hardest Working Man in Show Business

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

James Brown's Live at the Apollo is known as the best concert recording of his raw showmanship. Author Douglas Wolk takes an in-dept look at the concert that took him from underground phenomenon to chart-topping pop star. Also: Hassan Hakmoun. Originally from Morocco, he's is a master of Gnawan music, the healing-and-trance songs that blend Arab melodies with West African rhythms. He performs live in our studio. Finally: a preview of five unlikely cities spawning exciting new music in 2007.


Best of Soundcheck Live: Episode 3

Monday, January 01, 2007

In the sea of string quartets, they are one of the most famous, respected and mature. On the third and final installment of the live performances of 2006 you can hear the Juilliard String Quartet in some of their signature repertoire of Bartok and Mozart. Also on the show: catchy power pop from the Chicago band OK Go; super producer T-Bone Burnett; Malian singer Salif Keita; Bluegrass legend Del McCoury, and more.