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Passing Strange at the Public Theater (Photo © Michal Daniel, 2007)Rocking the House
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.
Rock Musicals
The musical "Spring Awakening" was showered with Tony nominations this year, but rock musicals don't always bloom so brilliantly. Why does one show rock for ages on Broadway, while another gets "unplugged?" We talk with Elizabeth Wollman, author of "The Theater Will Rock: A History of the Rock Musical From Hair to Hedwig ," and Jim Farber, pop music critic for the New York Daily News.
Stew
Composer and performer Stew's semi-autobiographical rock musical, "Passing Strange," is a fresh take on the well-worn, artistic coming-of-age story. Stew talks about sailing into the treacherous waters of the rock musical. Later, he performs live in our studio.
Jack DeJohnette
Drummer Jack DeJohnette first made his name playing with Miles Davis in the 1950s. Today, he joins us to talk about his new album with Bruce Hornsby and bassist Christian McBride.
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Go behind the scenes!
Find out what John Schaefer and the Soundcheck staff have to say about recent segments on the show. Plus, watch videos from in-studio performances.
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Introducing our Video Contest
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John Schaefer gives the lowdown on Soundcheck's music video challenge with the Fiery Furnaces.
In Studio: Los Amigos Invisibles
Soundcheck
The Venezuelan funk-rock band "Los Amigos Invisibles" was discovered by David Byrne in a Manhattan record shop. They perform live on Soundcheck.
In Studio: Angel Deradoorian
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The 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist performs live in our studio.
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Cucu Diamantes Performs Amor Cronico
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Cucu Diamantes went from a tough childhood in Havana, Cuba, to an art school in Rome to underground New York City, where she co-founded the Latin alternative band Yerba Buena.
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In Studio: The Decemberists
The Portland, Ore., band's latest album, "The Hazards of Love," is a concept album with a mythological flair. They joined Soundcheck to play live for a studio audience in WNYC's Greene Space.
Sound Off
Soundcheck
Throughout May, Soundcheck presents “Sound Off” a Friday series on the many aspects of noise in music and our lives. The series -- which coincides with “Better Hearing and Speech Month” -- looks at issues like New York’s noisiest neighborhoods, the latest research on iPods and hearing loss, and what happens when noise becomes a musical ingredient.
