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Soundcheck / January 26, 2007

Soundcheck

Friday, January 26, 2007
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  • If you look closely you can see Soundcheck host John Schaefer at his desk
    If you look closely you can see Soundcheck host John Schaefer at his desk

    The Art of Mess

    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.

The Art of Mess

Many people suffer guilt over their messy desks and homes. We look at how a little disorder can actually benefit creativity and art. David H. Freedman , co-author of A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder , will put John Schaefer's messy desk under the microscope.
And Nick Keelan, professor at the music conservatory at Lawrence University in Wisconsin, will discuss how disorder is intertwined with musical performance.

Send us a photo of your mess and then tune in to see what it means.

Tin Hat

Jazz-folk band Tin Hatmakes freewheeling chamber music for the 21st century. They play live in studio.

Tin Hat will also be performing tonight at the Symphony Space/Thalia Theatre

Tin Hat's website
Symphony Space

cab

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.

Quincy Jones

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"

death

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?

John Lennon

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.

Dusty Springfield book jacket

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.