Soundcheck Archive
September 2007
Musicians Get a New Second Life
Friday, September 28, 2007
Musicians like Duran Duran, Suzanne Vega, and even some major orchestras are playing live concerts in the online virtual world known as Second Life. Today, we look at how musicians are reaching new fans through Second Life and whether it's more than just a clever gimmick. Also: the female ensemble Elegguá performs the rich African percussion music of Venezuela on a variety of instruments, including the tambores drums (which are usually played by men). They perform live in the studio.
Pop Rivalries
Thursday, September 27, 2007
50 Cent traded barbs with Kanye West. Oasis truly hated Blur. And the spat between Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd is more complicated than you might think. Today on Soundcheck, we look at pop music rivalries through history. And later, Austin-based indie group Okkervil River performs songs from its acclaimed album, "The Stage Names."
Protest Music for a New Generation
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
The Iraq War, terrorism, and Katrina have all inspired plenty of political music. But many protest songs are purposefully vague, avoiding preachy messages or obvious slogans. Today, we look at the new breed of protest songs with singer and activist Steve Earle and Pitchfork Media writer Chris Dahlen. Also: Bossa Nova has its roots in early 60's Brazil. On her new album, "The New Bossa Nova," Brazilian singer Luciana Souza gives the genre an update as she covers material by Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Sting, Elliott Smith, Steely Dan and others.
When Herbie Met Joni
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
"River," the new album by pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, brings a jazz twist to the songs of Mitchell. It also features an a-list supporting cast including the folk singer-songwriter herself, as well as Norah Jones, Leonard Cohen and Tina Turner. Hancock joins us today. Also: The charmingly odd Nellie McKay is back with more jazzy cabaret pop on her album "Obligatory Villagers." She performs live in the studio.
When the No-Show Bug Goes Around
Monday, September 24, 2007
An epidemic of cancellations has rocked the music world this fall, whether it's soul singer Amy Winehouse (a stint in rehab), rock act The White Stripes (acute anxiety). Today, we examine why cancellations occur and we talk to Nick Luca, front man for the band Luca, who has a harrowing tale of ill-health on the road. Also: Indian-born, New York-based singer Kiran Ahluwalia is one of the more eclectic voices on the world music scene. She specializes in Ghazal (classical love songs) and Punjab folk music but blends them with Portuguese fado African blues, jazz and more. She performs live in the studio.
The Aging of 'Aquarius'
Friday, September 21, 2007
With stage nudity, four-letter words and risqué subject matter, the ‘60s rock musical "Hair" became a theatre sensation and a pop-culture milestone. Today on Soundcheck: "Hair" marks its 40th anniversary with a return to the New York stage. Plus: Gruff Rhys of Welsh rockers Super Furry Animals performs songs from his new solo album, "Candylion."
Can Classical Recordings Escape the Noose?
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Classical music has surprised many doom-sayers by becoming the record industry's fastest-growing music genre. Today, Klaus Heymann, the owner and founder of the classical label Naxos, and Alexandra A. Seno, a Newsweek reporter, explain how online sales and the "long tail" theory are responsible. Also: the M. Shanghai String Band, a Brooklyn-based Americana outfit, performs live from its second album, "From the Air." And finally: the latest in the ongoing battle over the studio spaces in Carnegie Hall's tower.
From a Land Down Under
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Australia is home to a thriving native music industry but many of its top musicians never make it to American shores. Today, we find out what's distinctive about Australian music, and we feature some live music from down under, courtesy of the band Augie March. Also: the unclassifiable music of The Real Tuesday Weld (think: 1920s style vintage cabaret with trip hop rhythms and cinematic strings).
Son Cubano
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Gloria Estefan's new album "90 Millas," an homage to the old sounds from her native Cuba; and a new musical about Celia Cruz, "The Queen of Salsa," are just a couple examples of a U.S. obsession with a pre-revolutionary idea of Cuba. Today we investigate this romantic fascination, and what we are missing about the real Cuba. Later: Acoustic guitar virtuoso Leo Kottke became a cult figure for his lightning-fast playing and folk-blues records. He performs live in the studio.
Perfect Pitch: Nature or Nurture?
Monday, September 17, 2007
The sound of someone warbling the National Anthem makes just about everybody cringe. Today on Soundcheck, researchers explain how brain chemistry and genetics play a role in tone deafness and perfect pitch. Plus: Macedonian piano virtuoso Simon Trpceski is making waves in the U.S. Before his appearances this week with the New York Philharmonic, he visits our studio for a live performance.
From the Concert Stage to the Popcorn Flick
Friday, September 14, 2007
With the imminent release of films about Bob Dylan, Kurt Cobain, and the post-punk band Joy Division, rock on the big screen remains as popular as ever. Today, a preview of this fall's music movies with Time Out NY film editor Melissa Anderson. Later, we talk to director Craig Zobel and actor Kene Holliday of "Great World of Sound," a dark comedy about two talent scouts who get caught up in a record-label scam. Finally: Indie band Beirut drew inspiration from Jacques Brel and French chanson music in their latest album, "The Flying Club Cup." They perform live in our studio.
Fall Music Preview
Thursday, September 13, 2007
In the coming months, music fans will get a bumper crop of comeback albums, madness at the Met, and a Springsteen reunion with the E Street Band. Today on Soundcheck: a fall preview of pop and classical music in New York. Plus, British songwriter Jamie T talks about bad behavior on his American debut, Panic Prevention.
Reimagining the Beatles
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
"Across the Universe" is a new movie musical set in 1960's America and set to no fewer than 33 songs by the Beatles. Today, the film's director Julie Taymor and composer Elliot Goldenthal discuss which songs made the cut, and how they re-imagined them for the movie. Also: Trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard's resume also includes tenure with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and scoring films for Spike Lee. He joins us to perform live music from his new requiem for Hurricane Katrina, "A Tale of God's Will."
Mission Impossible for Rap's Aces
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Hip-hop superstars Kanye West and 50 Cent recently launched a war of words to pump up sales of their new albums. Today on Soundcheck: We ask two critics if Graduation and Curtis live up to their carefully crafted hype. Plus: The string quartet Brooklyn Rider features four young rising stars from New York’s classical music scene. They perform live in our studio.
Making Records and Setting Them
Monday, September 10, 2007
When some musicians aren't making records they're breaking them. The latest Guinness Book of World Records is just out. Today on Soundcheck: We'll hear about everything from the "largest simultaneous yodel" to the "best-selling ringtone." Also: Dobet Gnahoré, a singer, dancer and percussionist from the Ivory Coast, performs live in the studio. Finally, a round-up of recent album releases from the Soundcheck staff.
Music Video 2.0
Friday, September 07, 2007
Music videos were abandoned by MTV years ago, but the medium has found new life thanks to YouTube, MySpace and the blogosphere. Today on Soundcheck, find out if the music video could provide a lifeline for a struggling music industry. And later: Better known to indie rock as "Smog," Bill Callahan has released more than a dozen haunting albums over the last two decades. He talks about the new direction on his latest, Woke on a Whaleheart, and performs live in our studio.
Opera World Loses an Ambassador
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Luciano Pavarotti, who died last night at age 71, was called by some admirers as the greatest tenor who ever lived. Today we hear about his influence on stage and off. Also: for years, the world of jazz drummers was an exclusive boys' club. Not anymore. And later: Female jazz drummers talk about playing harder and faster than their male counterparts. And: the Shanghai String Quartet emerged from post-revolution China. The ensemble is equally comfortable performing Beethoven in China and Chinese works in the West. They perform live in our studio.
Hip-Hop's Ice Age
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
The documentary Bling: A Planet Rock explores the correlation between hip-hop’s obsession with diamonds – “bling” — and 10 years of civil war in Sierra Leone. The film follows rappers Paul Wall and Raekwon and Reggaetón king Tego Calderón to Freetown, where they meet perpetrators and victims of a conflict tied to diamond mines. Also: Montreal-based band Patrick Watson earned nominations this year for some of Canada's biggest music prizes. As they invade the U.S., the group stops to perform in our studio. Plus: the battle over illegal downloading on campuses heats up.
Honky Tonkin' in Brooklyn
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Make room indie rockers -- cowboys are riding into Brooklyn. Today on Soundcheck, a look at the Brooklyn Country Music Festival and a live performance from The Flanks, one of the bands appearing at the event. Plus, punk pioneer Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie and the Banshees talks about her first solo album.
Talking About Townes
Monday, September 03, 2007
The late singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt wrote songs popularized by artists like Willie Nelson and Norah Jones but his own career was derailed by alcoholism and gambling. Today, we hear why he was underappreciated by the casual music fan, but revered by musicians. Also: Members of the indie-rock band Arcade Fire join us to talk about their latest album, "Neon Bible." And finally: the Brooklyn-based Afro-beat ensemble Antibalas packs the studio to play live songs from their new record, "Security." This is a repeat edition of Soundcheck.
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