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Soundcheck

Friday, May 25, 2007
  • Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance!

    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."

What a Song and Dance

Writer Emma Brockes spent her life pretending to enjoy the music of her contemporaries while secretly loving the likes of South Pacific and Oklahoma! She joins us to talk about why musicals might just hold the key to everything.

"What Would Barbara Do" on Amazon.com

Song of 'The Sopranos'

Everyone from Bob Dylan and Van Morrison to lesser-known artists like British punk ranter John Cooper Clarke have popped up on the soundtrack of HBO's "The Sopranos." We talk to producer Martin Bruestle about selecting music for the popular series as it enters its final stretch of 2 episodes.

HBO Music Web site

Awkward Humorist

Filmmaker and performance artist Miranda July's new book is filled with awkward situations and sexual fantasies. In one story, a woman teaches senior citizens how to swim -- on her living-room rug. In another, a man dreams about the young daughter of a co-worker. (The daughter doesn't exist.) July talks to Soundcheck about crafting the stories in "No One Belongs Here More Than You."

Miranda July's web site
"No One Belongs Here More Than You" on Amazon.com

Noteworthy New York

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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.

The Journey of Quincy Jones

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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"

Pop's Love Affair With Death

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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?

Behind the public face of John Lennon

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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.

The Soul of British Soul

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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.