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Soundcheck / May 24, 2007

Soundcheck

Thursday, May 24, 2007
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  • American Idol's final 2: Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis
    American Idol's final 2: Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis (americanidol.com)

    America's new idol: Stronger voice wins out

    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.

The Final Sing-Off

Ann Powers, pop music critic of the Los Angeles Times, and Jody Rosen, music critic of Slate.com, weigh in last night's final episode of Fox's "American Idol," which crowned 17-year-old Jordin Sparks as the new champion.

Jody Rosen on "Idol" at Slate.com
Ann Powers on "Idol" at LATimes.com

The Rosebuds

The Rosebuds, a duo featuring husband-and-wife team Ivan Howard and Kelly Crisp perform live in the studio. The band conjures up a dark version of New Order for their third album, "Night of the Furies."

The Rosebuds Web site

EMI R.I.P.?

If EMI, the label of artists from Enrico Caruso and the Beatles to Coldplay goes through with a takeover bid by a private equity firm, it would be a tragedy for the music world, according to Time Riley. The blogger, NPR commentator and author of "Tell Me Why: A Beatles Commentary," joins us to explain why.

Tim Riley's Open Letter to Paul McCartney

Arcade Fire

When I Missed the Boat

Soundcheck

How prejudice and second-guessing can cause you to miss some great music. Also, Juilliard-trained pianist Andy Russo joins us to share "Mix Tape," a collection of 14 classical arrangements of nuggets by Billy Joel, James Blunt, the B-52's, and others.

johnny flynn

Johnny Flynn

Soundcheck

Johnny Flynn, a London-based singer-songwriter, performs songs from his new album, "A Larum."

Ahmad Jamal

Ahmad Jamal

Soundcheck

Pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal was a major influence on Miles Davis in the 50s. Today rappers sample his music. He joins us to discuss his latest album.

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