wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

On Demand

Program Schedule

Topics

Soundcheck / June 05, 2007

Soundcheck

Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Previous Episode | Next Episode
  • "Wild Style" 1982
    "Wild Style" 1982

    B-Boys Gone Wild

    When hip hop was still in the ghetto in 1982, the film "Wild Style" put the music and graffiti art on the map. Today on Soundcheck, the story behind a classic hip-hop movie that still matters. Plus, Broadway veteran Audra McDonald talks about her Tony-nominated role in the musical "110 in the Shade." And: The story of imaginary soul superstar Mingering Mike.

Wild Style

Twenty-five years ago, the feature film "Wild Style" showcased rapping, breakdancing and graffiti art just as hip-hop began to leak into the mainstream. Now, the movie is set to be feted at the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival and examined in a forthcoming book. We talk with director Charlie Ahearn and longtime hip-hop vee jay "Uncle" Ralph McDaniels.

Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival
More about "Wild Style"

Audra McDonald

Four-time Tony winner Audra McDonald is getting lots of credit (and another Tony nomination) for bringing new life to the 1963 musical "110 in the Shade." The successful TV actress and opera star visits Soundcheck to talk about the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of "110" and her unlikely lead role as an old-maid schoolteacher.

Roundabout Theatre Company site

Mingering Mike

When criminal investigator and part-time DJ Dori Hadar stumbled across hand-painted LP sleeves containing cardboard "records," he knew he had to find out more about the artist. The result is his book, "Mingering Mike: The Amazing Career of an Imaginary Soul Superstar." (This story first aired on WNYC's Studio 360.)

Studio 360's story on Mingering Mike (full version)
"Mingering Mike: The Amazing Career of an Imaginary Soul Superstar" on Amazon.com
Slideshow of Mingering Mike albums
The Home of All Things Mingering

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.

  1. The Brian Lehrer Show: Business Without Borders (10/08/2008)
  2. The Brian Lehrer Show: What’s The Damage? (10/06/2008)
  3. The Brian Lehrer Show: Security Blanket (10/07/2008)
  4. The Brian Lehrer Show: The End of Oil? (10/10/2008)
  5. The Leonard Lopate Show: The Price of Style (10/08/2008)
  6. The Leonard Lopate Show: Beyond Chicken Nuggets (10/07/2008)
  7. The Leonard Lopate Show: North of the Border (10/09/2008)