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Soundcheck / March 28, 2007

Soundcheck

Wednesday, March 28, 2007
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    A Major Label with a Difference

    In "The Label: The Story of Columbia Records," author Gary Marmorstein chronicles the fascinating history of a label that helped give us the careers of Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday and Michael Jackson. He joins us in the final installment of our three-part series on the changing landscape for record labels. Plus, guitarist and composer Elliott Sharp performs live in our studio.

The Majors

Janis Joplin, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday and Michael Jackson are all part of the history of Columbia Records, one of the world's most legendary major labels. We cover its highs and lows with Gary Marmorstein, the author of "The Label: The Story of Columbia Records." His book draws on unique access to the company's archives -- memos, personal correspondence, recording contracts, sales reports and job sheets, and more.

The Label: The Story of Columbia Records

Elliott Sharp

A 30-year veteran of the "downtown" experimental music scene, guitarist and composer Elliott Sharp recently recorded an album of music created by another complex musical mind: Thelonious Monk. Sharp performs live in our studio and talks about "Binibon," a work of musical theater based on an infamous murder in New York’s East Village. Sharp and his collaborator, writer Jack Womack, perform "Binibon" at Roulette on Saturday, March 31 at 8:30.

Roulette Web site

An Ear for Music ... and Chinese

Authors of a Northwestern University study report that music training may help students of Mandarin and other Asian languages, which require use of pitch. We'll talk with one of the study's authors, Dr. Nina Kraus, who says that music training might even help children with language problems.

More on the Northwestern University study

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.