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Hillary Clinton (D-NY) in Iowa (hillaryclinton.com)Campaign Songs, from the Effective to the Annoying
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.
What Makes a Good Campaign Song?
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. New York Times editor Jack Cushman joins us to look at this season's campaign songs and whether they can help or hurt a candidate.
Kyrgyzstan Prodigy
Twenty-year-old jazz pianist Eldar Djangirov was classically trained at age five and grew up listening to masters like Oscar Peterson and Thelonious Monk. On his third major-label album, “Re-Imagination,” he spices up his piano lines with funk rhythms and DJ scratches. He joins us for a live solo performance.
Eldar performs Saturday, August 25th at the J&R Music Festival at City Hall Park. Visit his website for more information.
Hip Hop of the People
Hip hop fans, forget MySpace. A new social-networking site is building an online hangout for lovers of beats and breaks. We talk to the creator of RapSpace.tv, McLean Mashingaidze-Greaves.
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Soundcheck's Noteworthy New York
Want to know the hottest places to go this weekend? Check out where New York's musicians go in their free time.
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Soundcheck Blog
Go behind the scenes!
Find out what John Schaefer and the Soundcheck staff have to say about recent segments on the show.
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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"
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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?
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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.
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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.
