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Soundcheck

Friday, August 24, 2007
  • record album

    Hot Wax Drives Niche Market

    Digital music downloads are booming and CD sales are plummeting. But an old format has found a special place in the hearts of music retailers. Join guest host Joel Meyer for a look at why sales of new vinyl LPs are on the rise. Plus: Christopher Denny, a singer songwriter from Little Rock, Ark., performs songs from his album, Age Old Hunger, in our studio. And, Nickelodeon's Yo Gabba Gabba tries to make kids TV more entertaining -- for parents.

Vinyl Revival

The music industry sent eight-track tapes and cassettes to the format graveyard years ago. So, why are shoppers buying more vinyl LPs? We talk with Ed Christman, senior retail correspondent for Billboard, and Josh Madell, co-owner of retailer Other Music.

Billboard web site
Other Music web site

Christopher Denny

If Roy Orbison grew up tough in Little Rock, Ark., he might have sounded a lot like Christopher Denny. The 23-year-old singer songwriter joins us for an in-studio performance and talks about the real-life drama behind his album, Age Old Hunger.

Christopher Denny web site

There's a Party in My Tummy

Nickelodeon's new show "Yo Gabba Gabba" uses hip hop, high-energy humor and celebrity cameos to teach life lessons to preschool-age kids. We talk with co-creators Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz.

"Yo Gabba Gabba" web site
Video: Watch the "Yo Gabba Gabba" intro

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"

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?

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.

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.