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Soundcheck

Tuesday, March 13, 2007
  • Government Sanctioned Rock

    Once "going to Graceland," Paul Simon’s now going to DC! The musician is among the latest to be immortalized in the Library of Congress. On today’s show, we look at what happens when Washington decides what music to preserve and ask: whatever happened to those gold records that were shot into space 30 years ago? Also: the all-girl bluegrass group Uncle Earl performs live in our studio.

Government Sanctioned Rock

Once "going to Graceland," Paul Simon’s now going to DC! The musician is among the latest to be immortalized in the Library of Congress. We speak with Gene DeAnna, Head of the Recorded Sound Section at the Library of Congress, about what gets preserved and why. And we ask Ed Massey, manager of NASA's Voyager Interstellar mission: whatever happened to those gold records that were shot into space 30 years ago?

Music On Voyager Record
National Recording Registry in the Library of Congress

All G'Earl Bluegrass

Uncle Earl is the name of a critically acclaimed all-girl string-band. Their latest, "Waterloo, Tennessee," was produced by Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones and they play live in our studio.

Uncle Earl will be playing Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater on Wednesday, March 14 at 7:30 PM. Call 212-539-8778 for details.

Uncle Earl'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

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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

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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

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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.