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Soundcheck / September 03, 2007

Soundcheck

Monday, September 03, 2007
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  • Arcade Fire
    Arcade Fire

    Talking About Townes

    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.

Townes Van Zandt: The Musician's Musician

Townes Van Zandt wrote songs including "Pancho and Lefty" and "If I Needed You" for artists like Norah Jones and Merle Haggard. Today, John Kruth, author of To Live's to Fly: The Ballad of the Late, Great Townes Van Zandt explains how his music remains despite his own unrealized dreams of stardom.

Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire is arguably the hottest indie band around at the moment, having arrived on the scene just two years ago. Today, bassist Tim Kingsbury and drummer Jeremy Gara talk about being holed up in a 19th-century church near Montreal to live, work, and eventually produce their latest album, "Neon Bible."

Antibalas

Brooklyn's Antibalas, widely considered the leading Afrobeat band in the U.S., packs the studio to perform music from their politically charged new album, "Security."

cab

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.

Quincy Jones

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"

death

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?

John Lennon

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.

Dusty Springfield book jacket

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.