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Soundcheck

Friday, June 15, 2007
  • A scene from the movie "Gypsy Caravan"
    A scene from the movie "Gypsy Caravan"

    The Road to Roma

    Call it the Buena Vista Social Club for gypsy music. Today on Soundcheck, we talk with the director of a new documentary that follows Romani musicians across Europe and India in a search for the roots of gypsy culture. And, music writer and musicologist Michael Church shares field recordings from Chechnya and the surrounding North Caucasus region. Plus, a preview of the JVC Jazz Festival.

Gypsy Caravan

Shot by legendary cinematographer Albert Maysles, "Gypsy Caravan" charts the six-week journey of five bands on a concert tour that celebrates the music of the Romani people. The musicians travel through Spain, Macedonia, Romania and India, and their common experiences reveal a larger story about gypsy culture. We talk to the film’s director, Jasmine Dellal.

"Gypsy Caravan" web site

Songs of Defiance

Music writer and musicologist Michael Church talks about compiling "Songs of Defiance," a CD collection of traditional music from the isolated North Caucasus region, which includes Chechnya. We talk to Church about recording the rich music of a turbulent land.

MIchael Church's article for BBC Music magazine

JVC Jazz Festival Preview

This year's JVC Jazz Festival runs from June 17th to June 30th. Music writer Eugene Holley gives us a sneak preview of the festival, including performances from India.Arie, Keith Jarrett and Cesaria Evora.

More about JVC Jazz Festival

Best Live Performances of 2008

Soundcheck

We revisit memorable in-studio performances from Toumani Diabaté, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, and others.

The Year in Music and Branding

Soundcheck

Pop music and advertising go together like peanut butter and jelly. Grey Group music director Josh Rabinowitz shares his picks for the best song picks and ad campaigns of 2008.

Critics Week

Soundcheck

Music writers look back at the year's best pop, rock, hip hop, classical, jazz, Latin and world albums. Plus: the worst music of the year and the best online music. Read our critics' lists here. And don't forget to cast your vote in our best-albums poll.

Noteworthy New York

Soundcheck

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.