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Sister Rosetta TharpeThe Life of an Uncommon Blues Traveler
She inspired Elvis Presley and Keith Richards with her rock 'n' roll charisma, but Sister Rosetta Tharpe's music was gospel. Today, we look at the genre-defying pioneer with Gayle Wald, author of Shout Sister Shout! The Untold Story of Rock-and-Roll Trailblazer Sister Rosetta Tharpe. We also hear about Tharpe's modern-day legacy with the leader singer of the UK indie rock band the Noisettes, whose latest album features the song "Sister Rosetta (Capture The Spirit)." Finally: Indie folk trio Great Lake Swimmers performs live.
The Life and Legacy of Rosetta Tharpe
Combining spirituals with blues and swing, Rosetta Tharpe was hailed as one of the greatest gospel singers of her generation. Her influence reached well beyond the church however: rockers from Keith Richards to Michelle Shocked have been inspired by her hard-charging style. We're joined by Gayle Wald, author of Shout Sister Shout! The Untold Story of Rock-and-Roll Trailblazer Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe performs "Down By the Riverside"
Shout, Sister, Shout! at Amazon.com
Sister Rosetta Tharpe - "Up Above My Head"
Noisettes
A conversation with Shingai Shoniwa, singer and bassist of the Noisettes, the London-based indie rock band whose latest album features the song "Sister Rosetta (Capture The Spirit).
Great Lake Swimmers
Indie folk trio Great Lake Swimmers is fronted by singer-songwriter Tony Dekker, who continues creating delicate folk melodies on the group's third album, Ongiara. The group draws comparisons to Iron & Wine, but Great Lake Swimmers' songs move along at a faster pace.
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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: 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: Stephanie McKay
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The local singer-songwriter performs "Jackson Avenue," a nostalgic toast to her childhood in the South Bronx.
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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.
