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On Demand

Soundcheck

Monday, September 10, 2007
  • Guiness Book of World Records 2008

    Making Records and Setting Them

    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.

Higher, Faster, Louder

More than any other artistic pursuit, musicians and their fans seem obsessed with top achievements. Today, Stuart Claxton, the head researcher of Guinness World Records, talks about some of the most interesting records in the history of music - from "deepest concert" to "best selling single in the world."

Guinness World Records web site

New Fall Releases

A selective round-up of some of the fall's hot new releases as chosen by the Soundcheck staff.

This week's Picks:
The New Pornographers: "Challengers" (Matador)
Selected by John Schaefer
Sergio and Odair Assad: "Jardim Abandonado" (Abandoned Garden)
Selected by Gisele Regatao
Stockhausen: "Stimmung" (Harmonia Mundi)
Selected by Brian Wise
Animal Collective: "Strawberry Jam" (Domino)
Selected by Joel Meyer
Jamie T: "Panic Prevention" (EMI)
Selected by John Schaefer

Dobet Gnahoré

Singer, dancer and percussionist Dobet Gnahoré grew up in an artist commune on the Ivory Coast. Ki-Yi M’Bock, as the cooperative is called, includes artists from multiple backgrounds and disciplines, from dance to music to sculpture. So at age 12 Dobet decided to be a singer, but she also brings elements of dance, theater, and poetry to her music. She plays live in studio.

Dobet Gnahoré's Web site

The Swell Season in The Greene Space

Soundcheck

Joshua Bell in The Greene Space

Soundcheck