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Soundcheck

Tuesday, July 24, 2007
  • Miles Davis Bitches Brew

    One Album for Eternity

    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?

Desert Island Discs

It's a question that is as difficult to answer as it is revealing about one's musical tastes: What album would you take to a desert island? We talk with Phil Freeman, editor of Marooned: The Next Generation of Desert Island Discs, about this time-honored musical dilemma. Plus, music critics Greg Tate and Ian Christe explain their picks. And don't forget to leave a comment: tell us your ultimate desert-island disc.

"Marooned" on Amazon.com
Learn more about long-running BBC radio program "Desert Island Discs"

Minnie Driver

Minnie Driver

On her record Seastories, British actress and singer-songwriter Minnie Driver goes down a path that veers between pop, folk, and jazz. Driver, who is currently co-star of the FX series "Riches," performs live in the studio.

More about Minnie Driver

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.

The Journey of Quincy Jones

Soundcheck

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"

Pop's Love Affair With Death

Soundcheck

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?

Behind the public face of John Lennon

Soundcheck

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.

The Soul of British Soul

Soundcheck

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.