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Townes Van ZandtTalking About Townes
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."
Townes Van Zandt: The Musician's Musician
Townes Van Zandt wrote songs including "Pancho and Lefty" and "If I Needed You" for artists like Norah Jones and Merle Haggard. Today, John Kruth, author of To Live's to Fly: The Ballad of the Late, Great Townes Van Zandt explains how his music remains despite his own unrealized dreams of stardom.
To Live's to Fly: The Ballad of the Late, Great Townes Van Zandt
Arcade Fire
Arcade Fire is arguably the hottest indie band around at the moment, having arrived on the scene just two years ago. Today, bassist Tim Kingsbury and drummer Jeremy Gara talk about being holed up in a 19th-century church near Montreal to live, work, and eventually produce their latest album, "Neon Bible."
Antibalas
Brooklyn's Antibalas, widely considered the leading Afrobeat band in the U.S., packs the studio to perform music from their politically charged new album, "Security."
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Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, stars of the romantic indie film Once, will debate which is more powerful: a love song or a breakup song. And: live music from Grammy winning violinist Joshua Bell and Cuban stars Tiempo Libre.
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The Ill Effects of Urban Noise
Soundcheck
Soundcheck received an overwhelming response to our segment on the effects of urban noise. So much so that Arline Bronzaft decided to address the feedback. Listen to the original segment and read Bronzaft's response.
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