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Soundcheck

Tuesday, January 23, 2007
  • Isaac Hayes
    Isaac Hayes

    Cooking up some Hot Buttered Soul

    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.

Isaac Hayes

Isaac Hayes was the voice of Chef on South Park and wrote the famous theme to the 1971 film "Shaft." Today, he talks about an earlier stage in his career: creating the signature sound of Memphis soul music.

Memphis 50 Years of Soul Web site

Stax is Back

Stax Records, which gave the world such stars as Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding and the Staple Singers, has been reactivated for its 50th anniversary year. We find out why it was so pivotal to music history with Rob Bowman, author of the book "Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records."

Pistolera

The New York-based Latin folk band Pistolera performs live in the studio.

Pistolera's 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.

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.