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May 2007

The Act You've Known For All These Years

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Tomorrow marks the 40th anniversary of the release of The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," an album that is often cited as the band's masterpiece and ranked as the most influential album of all time by major critics and publications. Today we attempt to cut through the mythology and examine its true importance in music history. Also: Russian-born violist and composer Lev "Ljova" Zhurbin and his "chamber-jam" Vjola Contraband join us for a live performance.


End of an Era?

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

The very last prima ballerina in the tradition of George Balanchine is retiring from the New York City Ballet this month. Today, find out what this means for the future of ballet. Also: Rock quintet The National perform songs from their subtle new album, “Boxer.”


Yelling "Freebird!" in a Crowded Theater

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

In his new collection of essays, The Boy Who Cried Freebird, music critic Mitch Myers spoofs topics like obsessive record collectors, rock concert decorum, Sixties nostalgia, Deadheads, and music journalism, and other related pop phenomena. He joins us to talk about crafting these and other fables. Also: the Puppini Sisters, a British trio specializing in 1940's style vocal close harmony music perform live. And finally, conductor Robert Spano interviews composer Osvaldo Golijov as part of WNYC's American Music festival. We hear an excerpt.


Music to Lose Pounds By

Monday, May 28, 2007

With beach weather here, plenty of New Yorkers are looking to loose those love handles. Today, find out what music can best get your heart racing...and hear about the latest iPod running accessory. Also: a live performance by the ethereal roots band, The Last Town Chorus. This is an encore edition of Soundcheck.


Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance!

Friday, May 25, 2007

Most people either love or loathe musicals. On today's show, we look at why the genre inspires such intense feelings with the author of "What Would Barbra Do?: How Musicals Changed My Life." Also: Filmmaker, performance and video artist Miranda July joins us to talk about her new collection of stories, "No One Belongs Here More Than You."


America's new idol: Stronger voice wins out

Thursday, May 24, 2007

After thousands of auditions and hundreds of songs, American Idol crowned a winner last night. Today, we hear why the teen queen Jordin Sparks the beat-boxing entertainer Blake Lewis. Also: a live performance by the Rosebuds, a synth-pop duo featuring husband-and-wife team Ivan Howard and Kelly Crisp. Finally: EMI, home to major artists like the Beatles and Coldplay, has accepted a takeover bid by private equity firm. We find out what it means for the future direction of the recording industry.


Rocking the House

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

The rock musical is one of Broadway’s toughest genres. Today on Soundcheck, critics debate the merits of putting rock ‘n’ roll onstage. Later, the songwriter Stew explains how he got it right with his unusual rock musical, “Passing Strange.” Plus, jazz drummer Jack DeJohnette talks about his latest album.


Back From the Dead

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Long after their untimely deaths, songwriters like Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley continue to inspire new generations of fans, and their catalogs continue to grow. Today we look at the risks and rewards of opening musical vaults that were once locked. Also: Before organist John Medeski and drummer Billy Martin became two-thirds of the popular band Medeski, Martin and Wood, they wanted to do a jazz album. They finally got to it, 20 years later. Finally: in a post-Tower Records world, where do classical music fans buy their CDs? We hear about one retailer, a site called Arkivmusic.com.


Lines and Tickets and Bands...Oh My!

Monday, May 21, 2007

With so many options for music this summer, you might need some help sorting through the hype. Today, our expert panel reveals the season's best shows and best albums. And, find out how to survive an outdoor festival. Plus, choreographer Wally Cardona and composer Phil Kline talk about their new collaboration at Dance Theater Workshop.


Making Orchestra Pops Concerts Hip

Friday, May 18, 2007

As many summer pops series attempt to reach a coveted younger demographic, some orchestras are turning to indie rock bands for their headlining acts. Still others are introducing programs like "Video Games Live," "Symphonic Harry Potter" AND "Barbie at the Symphony." Today, guests including Boston Pops music director Keith Lockhart and the Decemberists' Colin Meloy explain how orchestras are reinventing a hallowed tradition. Also: the experimental art-pop group CocoRosie talks about recording music in a bathtub, haunted houses and other strange occurrences.


Raising the Ice Cream Bar

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Move over, "Pop Goes the Weasel." A local musician wants to replace the tinny songs we hear blasting from ice-cream trucks all summer long. Today on the show, we’ll find out if cool-treat vendors are giving him a warm welcome. Plus, the New Orleans indie-rock band Rotary Downs performs live in our studio.


When Bootlegs Go Legit

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Neil Young's 1971 concert at Massey Hall in Toronto was available for years only as a notorious bootlegged recording. Today, find out how artists like Young are reclaiming their live shows with so-called "authorized bootlegs." Plus, the Daniel Hope, the Renaissance man of the classical violin world, talks about his varied activities and performs live in the studio.


Retirement Party

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

If you're over 50, you've probably received an invitation to join AARP. Now, the advocacy group for aging Americans is offering a new benefit: music. Find out why AARP wants to play tastemaker to a generation that grew up with rock 'n' roll. Plus, world music artist Angelique Kidjo performs live in our studio.


Southern-Fried Hip Hop

Monday, May 14, 2007

For years, hip hop was preoccupied with warring factions of artists based on the East and West coasts. Today, we look at the innovators from the American South who rose above it — and set the tone for hip-hop in the 21st century. Also: guitarist Benjamin Verdery talks about his love for composers like Bach, Strauss... and Hendrix. Finally, we find out why Serbian power balladeer Marija Serifovic triumphed at the Eurovision song contest Saturday night.


Extracurricular Hero

Friday, May 11, 2007

When a Brooklyn hip-hop artist started an after-school program for teens, his students thought it was just a chance to cut a record. Today on Soundcheck, discover how beats and rhymes changed their lives. Plus, Canadian alt-rock band Sloan’s new album boasts a whopping 30 songs. Find out which one they’ll perform live.


Exporting the Bollywood Blitz

Thursday, May 10, 2007

With Bollywood film audiences growing around the world, studios are continuing to shift their marketing efforts outside India. One example is a new Bollywood blockbuster starring Shilpa Shetty (the other half in Richard Gere's public-smooching scandal). And, pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard previews his Carnegie Hall series and performs live in our studio. Finally: Why Verizon ended its relationship with R&B singer Akon after an on-stage controversy.


More Than Your Average Backstage Tour

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

"Show Business: The Road to Broadway" is an ambitious documentary that follows the four high-profile productions that would eventually become Tony nominees for Best Musical in 2003-04. Today, director Dori Berinstein and Tony Award-winning composer Robert Lopez (from Avenue Q), join us to unveil the brutal side of a glamorous art form. Also: Banjo-strumming Kentucky native Matt Bauer reinterprets country and bluegrass to create a hauntingly modern sound. He plays live in studio.


Talking About Townes

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

The late singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt wrote songs popularized by artists like Willie Nelson and Norah Jones but his own career was derailed by alcoholism and gambling. Today, we hear why he was underappreciated by the casual music fan, but revered by musicians. Also: Members of the indie-rock band Arcade Fire join us to talk about their latest album, "Neon Bible." And finally: the Brooklyn-based Afro-beat ensemble Antibalas packs the studio to play live songs from their new record, "Security."


High Voltage

Monday, May 07, 2007

Critics are singing about Björk’s new album. Today on Soundcheck, find out how her musical collaborators, her native Iceland and, of course, her outfits helped spark a buzz for Volta. Plus, Joshua Redman talks about the role New York plays on his new Back East.


The Song Remains the Same?

Friday, May 04, 2007

Before Aretha belted "Respect" there was the Otis Redding original. Before Santana sang "Black Magic Woman," it was a Fleetwood Mac hit. Today, we check out songs you didn't know were covers. We also look at some cover songs that are (arguably) better than the originals, from Ike & Tina Turner's "Proud Mary" to Devo's cover of "Satisfaction." Also: A rash of new music venues are getting started around New York this spring, even as older ones fold. We get an update. And the band Trans Am joins us live.


'WKRP' Changes Its Tune

Thursday, May 03, 2007

For years, legal issues prevented a DVD release of WKRP in Cincinnati. Today on Soundcheck, find out why a workaround solution has fans of the TV classic in an uproar. Plus, Israeli clarinetist and composer Anat Cohen talks about releasing two albums at once on her own label. And, a Scottish church featured in the bestselling novel The Da Vinci Code reveals a 600-year-old musical mystery.


"Posses" and Swedish Pop

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Since her early '90s breakthrough, Tori Amos has won loyal fans and courted controversy with her songs about sex, religion and politics, not to mention her provocative stage presence. Today, find out if she's mellowed out or remained provocative when she performs songs from her latest album, "American Doll Posse." Also: Swedish It band Peter Bjorn and John pays a visit.


Back in the Saddle

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Gene Autry is the granddaddy of all cowboys and inspired the likes of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Ringo Star. We talk to the author of a new biography of the Hollywood legend. Also: Donovan, the British bard who wrote such psychedelic era classics as "Mellow Yellow" and "Sunshine Superman" is back on the scene, groovy as ever. He joins us. And finally: Glen Hansard of the Irish rock band The Frames.