Soundcheck Archive
July 2007
Best of Soundcheck Live: Episode Two
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Last year, singer Norah Jones and some friends gathered to form a Willie-Nelson inspired folk-rock band, called The Little Willies. In a special show of Soundcheck's best live performances of 2006, we present them again. Also on the show: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, British rocker Billy Bragg, Swedish singer-songwriter Jose Gonzalez, Indian ghatam player Vikku Vinayakram, Cameroonean bass player Richard Bona and more. This is a repeat broadcast.
Best of Soundcheck Live: Episode One
Monday, July 30, 2007
Moby sold more than 15 million records in the 90s and became a superstar of electronic music. Here he and his guitar go acoustic opening a series of three special Soundcheck shows with our best live performances of 2006. This episode also includes live performances by singer songwriter Joseph Arthur, Congolese group Konono No. 1, country band Lambchop, and indie rock act The Decemberists. Plus, experimental jazz and Brazilian forro. This is a repeat broadcast.
Debating England's National Composer
Friday, July 27, 2007
This year marks the 150th anniversary of Sir Edward Elgar. While the composer of "Pomp and Circumstance" is being feted everywhere from Gloucester, England to Bard College in upstate New York, not everyone agrees on his greatness and his links to England's imperialist past. Today, a debate on Elgar with two experts. Also: songwriter Nick Cave is not going gracefully into musical middle age. He's exploring an even darker side of his music with Grinderman. He and drummer Jim Sclavunos talk about the band's self-titled debut.
Trading Rock Clubs for Golf Clubs
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Rock musicians are thought to be rowdy rebels. But a growing number of them are spending their free time with the ultimate gentleman's game: Golf. From Lou Reed and Neil Young to Huey Lewis, Willie Nelson and even Marilyn Manson, artists of all stripes are out teeing up when off-stage. Today we speak about the trend with Alice Cooper, heavy metal pioneer and author of Alice Cooper, Golf Monster; and with Jaime Diaz from Golf Digest magazine. Plus: punk pioneer and roots rocker John Doe plays songs from his sixth solo album, A Year in the Wilderness, live in our studio.
The Man with the Golden Ears
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Clive Davis is the record industry powerbroker who launched the careers of artists like Bruce Springsteen, Carlos Santana, and Alicia Keys. Today, he talks about forty years of being a hands-on executive, and he considers today's volatile music industry. Natasha Khan is better known as the singer-songwriter behind Bat for Lashes, a band recently nominated for the Mercury Prize. She joins us today.
One Album for Eternity
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Never mind food, water, and shelter. If you could take one album to a desert island, what would it be? Today on Soundcheck, music critics who answered that question for a new anthology explain their picks, plus we take your calls. And: British actress and singer-songwriter Minnie Driver performs live in our studio. Leave a comment: What album would you bring to a desert album? Why?
Campaign Songs, from the Effective to the Annoying
Monday, July 23, 2007
Many Americans groaned when Hillary Clinton picked Celine Dion's "You and I" as her theme song. Supporters of Barack Obama are hoping for better music. Today, New York Times editor Jack Cushman looks at this season's campaign songs and whether they can help or hurt a candidate. Also: Eldar, the Kyrgyzstan-born jazz prodigy, moves from straight-ahead jazz to the world of electronic music on his third recording, "Re-Imagined." He performs live in the studio.
Me, Myself and T.I.
Friday, July 20, 2007
The new album by rapper T.I. features a battle between split personalities. Singer Tori Amos adopted five personas for her new CD. Today on Soundcheck, find out why multiple personalities are so common among stars and how they affect their music. Plus: we undress "The Full Monteverdi," a classical music concert disguised as a restaurant filled with quarreling, singing lovers. And, a sneak preview of this Saturday's Siren Music Festival.
Cartoon Music Makes a Comeback
Thursday, July 19, 2007
This summer's batch of animated feature films - including "Ratatouille," "The Simpsons" and "Shrek the Third" - feature lush, sophisticated musical scores. Today, two film composers and a cartoon music scholar look at why cartoon music is enjoying a Renaissance. Also: Brooklyn band Bishop Allen first turned heads in 2006 when they set out to release an EP for each month of the year. With that Herculean task behind them, the band has released their debut album, which includes reworked versions of songs that appeared on last year's EP series. They perform live in the studio.
Real Jets and Sharks
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
The musical "West Side Story" is turning 50 this year. Today on Soundcheck, find out how this stage and screen classic is finding new life in gang outreach projects and even a production at Sing Sing maximum security prison. Plus: The members of The Parker String Quartet feel equally at home playing to plush concert halls or dive bars. They find some middle ground inside our studio. And, learn more about the New York Philharmonic's next music director.
When Influence Becomes Plagiarism
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Punk princess Avril Lavigne is the latest pop singer to be accused of outright plagiarizing an older song. Today, we debate the originality of her controversial hit, "Girlfriend," and we look back at the most famous stolen melodies and ripped-off riffs in the history of popular music. Also on the show: Indie-rock mainstays They Might Be Giants sing about dictatorships, heartbreaks, drugs and female empowerment on their new record, "The Else." They perform live in the studio.
Vega gives props to NYC in New Album
Monday, July 16, 2007
Twenty years ago Suzanne Vega became famous with "Luka," an unlikely single about child abuse. Later she struck a groove with "Tom's Diner." Today, she performs from her new album, "Beauty & Crime," which pays homage to her native New York. Later on the show: David Garland, host of WNYC's Evening Music and Spinning on Air, performs songs from his new album, "Noise In You."
Not Just a Fantasy
Friday, July 13, 2007
Rock 'n' roll fantasy camps let rock fans learn from bona fide rock stars. Author and radio host Katherine Lanpher talks about her camp experience, which found her singing backup vocals for The Who's Roger Daltrey and Cheap Trick. Plus: indie-pop group The Ladybug Transistor performs live in our studio.
French Connection
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Music charts in France used to be dominated by tunes imported from the U.S. Now, native artists are claiming their space under the sun. In light of Saturday's Bastille Day, we look at what is hot in French music. Also: Pharaoh's Daughter is a band whose music evokes a wide gamut of sounds and places: from Hasidic Brooklyn to '70s psychedelia, from an Israeli seminary to smoky Turkish bars. They perform live in studio. And finally: a look at classical music's answer to Deadheads: Wagner fans.
A Year To Remember
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Forget 1967 and the summer of love. The most important year in music might have occurred just 10 years ago. Today on Soundcheck, find out how 1997 changed the music industry forever. And, violinist Lara St. John compares two very different compositions and offers her fresh take on the classical music world. Plus, a look at Prince's latest (and certainly not last) controversy.
Strange Comebacks and A-List Soundtracks
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
When Sly Stone made a brief, blond Mohawked appearance at the 2006 Grammys, it did little to counter his image as one of rock's most mysterious recluses. Now, the forthcoming issue of Vanity Fair has an in-depth interview with the soul and funk icon that reveals, among other things, plans for a new album. We talk with writer David Kamp about his interview with Stone. Also: Songwriter Jesse Harris wrote all the music for actor Ethan Hawke's upcoming film "The Hottest State." His songs are performed on the soundtrack by Cat Power, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, and many other notable names. He performs live in the studio.
Bono Spies on Iran
Monday, July 09, 2007
Bono was recently seen listening to Iranian music in Fes, Morocco. On today's show, we find out why Middle Eastern music might be the next big thing in rock. Also: the musical collective Book of Knots and the composer behind the orchestral tribute to the Grateful Dead.
The Mother of All Ecofests
Friday, July 06, 2007
Live Earth takes place this Saturday. But can the 24-hour concert event -- featuring more than 150 acts performing in 8 cities -- really make for a greener planet? We look at who’s playing where and why security concerns are forcing some venues to drop out. Plus, the British electronic pop group Fujiya and Miyagi perform live in our studio.
Nothing Compares 2 Her
Thursday, July 05, 2007
15 years after tearing up a picture of the pope on live television, Sinead O’Connor tackles religion again on a new double CD called “Theology.” On today’s show: the iconoclast singer-songwriter talks music and faith, and plays live in studio. Also: Indie buzz band Shearwater join us for a live performance.
Going it Alone
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Plenty of musicians leave successful groups to go solo. But while some reach new heights of success (Peter Gabriel, Justin Timberlake) others...not so much (Ringo Starr anyone?). We look at the finer points of launching a solo career. Also: Singer-songwriter Emily Haines takes time out from the Canadian indie rock band Metric for a solo tour and a live performance in the Soundcheck studios. This is an encore edition of Soundcheck.
From CEO to the Sahara
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Former Viacom chief Tom Freston’s career took him from the early days of MTV to the musical heart of West Africa. Today, the media mogul talks about traveling in a land where the electric guitar helped power democracy. And, Cuban jazz pianist Manuel Valera and his quartet perform live in our studio. Plus, we remember the late American soprano and arts administrator Beverly Sills.
Beyond the Hype
Monday, July 02, 2007
You've had all weekend to play with your new iPhone. Does it live up to the hype? On today’s show, we take your calls, talk to experts, and look at whether the music industry has been changed forever. Plus: a live performance from the guitar-and-violin duo Brazz Tree.
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