Soundcheck Archive
October 2007
Back From the Dead
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Long after their untimely deaths, songwriters like Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley continue to inspire new generations of fans, and their catalogs continue to grow. Today we look at the risks and rewards of opening musical vaults that were once locked. Also: Before organist John Medeski and drummer Billy Martin became two-thirds of the popular band Medeski, Martin and Wood, they wanted to do a jazz album. They finally got to it, 20 years later. And later: a look at classical music retailer Arkivmusic.com.
This is a repeat broadcast
The Soundcheck staff is in Berlin! Read about our adventures on a new blog, Soundcheck: On Site - Berlin.
(Pssst ... Soundcheck's weeklong Berlin series begins Nov. 5!)
Havana's Hip Hop Invasion
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Hip-hop may have started in the Bronx, but its latest incarnation has taken root in Havana. Today on Soundcheck, we look at a new documentary about two Cuban hip-hop groups and their journey to the U.S. Plus: a live performance from the Brooklyn new-wave band Au Revoir Simone. And, Soundcheck’s CD picks of the week.
The Soundcheck staff is in Berlin! Read about our adventures on a new blog, Soundcheck: On Site - Berlin.
(Pssst ... Soundcheck's weeklong Berlin series begins Nov. 5!)
Prez: Beyond Billie and Basie
Monday, October 29, 2007
Saxophonist Lester Young spent his early years in a traveling carnival and earned his chops in Kansas City dancehalls. Today on Soundcheck, we look at the life and music of jazz legend Lester Young. And later: Few New York bands have a Tony Award winner in their ranks. The jumpy, jittery folk-punk quartet Old Springs Pike talks about life on different stages and performs live in our studio. And later: a violist works with young Native American composers.
The Soundcheck staff is in Berlin! Read about our adventures on a new blog, Soundcheck: On Site - Berlin.
(Pssst ... Our weeklong Berlin series begins Nov. 5!)
Pop Queens on Different Paths
Friday, October 26, 2007
Today on Soundcheck, a look at two women who left their mark on American music. First, Peggy Lee sang swinging party songs that lit up the 1950s and '60s and was an accomplished songwriter. A recent book details the personal struggles behind a giant of pop and jazz. And later: soul icon Mary Wilson talks about The Supremes and life after Motown.
This is a repeat broadcast. [A program correction: An episode about new releases from late songwriters will air on Oct. 31.]
The Soundcheck staff is in Berlin! Read about our adventures on a new blog, Soundcheck: On Site - Berlin.
(Pssst ... Our weeklong Berlin series begins Nov. 5!)
O Folkies, Where Art Thou?
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Folk legend Pete Seeger has been an inspiration for musicians from Bob Dylan and Joan Baez to Bruce Springsteen. Today, he joins guest host Siddhartha Mitter to talk about music, politics and more -- just as a new documentary film on his life hits movie theaters. Also: Singer-songwriter Dan Wilson, a formerly of the bands Trip Shakespeare and Semisonic (the latter known for the 90's hit "Closing Time"), is back with a new solo album produced by Rick Rubin. He performs live. Finally: WNYC's Rob Weisburg reports from the Womex World Music Festival in Spain.
The Soundcheck staff is in Berlin! Read about our adventures on a new blog, Soundcheck: On Site - Berlin.
(Pssst ... Our weeklong Berlin series begins Nov. 5!)
Stars Shining in Different Galaxies
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The Colombian singer Juanes is one of Latin music's biggest stars. Canada's New Pornographers are rock royalty in their native Canada and indie heroes here in the U.S. First, we talk with Juanes about his new album, "La Vida ... Es un Ratico." And later, the New Pornographers play live in our studio.
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss: No Odd Couple
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Robert Plant became the quintessential rock front-man as the yowling voice behind Led Zeppelin; Alison Krauss is the queen of American bluegrass and folk music. Today, we hear about how they've teamed up on "Raising Sand," a new album of rootsy Americana. Also on the show: DJ Rekha has brought the South Asian dance music genre known as Bhangra to the clubs and parks of New York City for ten years. She joins us to talk about her album, "DJ Rekha Presents Basement Bhangra."
Material Girl Makes Maverick Move
Monday, October 22, 2007
Madonna is dumping her record label for a concert promoter. Today, find out what the massive deal means for artists, fans, and the music industry. Plus: the UK sextet Tunng have been dubbed "folktronica." The group shares songs from a new album bearing a more accessible pop sound. And later: Violinist Joshua Bell and 15-year-old composer Jay Greenberg talk about the premiere of Greenberg's Violin Concerto at Carnegie hall.
The DJ in the Operating Room
Friday, October 19, 2007
Like most of modern life, surgery has acquired a soundtrack, whether it be reggae or rock, Celtic or classical. Surgeons say it relieves tension, focuses their attention and helps pass the time. Today, Susan Schwartz, a reporter for the Montreal Gazette and Dr. Alan I. Benvenisty from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center talk about playlists for surgery. Also on the show: the Glasgow indie rock back 1990s evokes another era in their music: '70s glam rock. They perform live in the studio.
What Can Music Learn From 'Halo 3'?
Thursday, October 18, 2007
With CD sales in the cellar, the music industry may want to tour a hotter property in pop culture: video games. Today on Soundcheck, we find out why games like the new 'Halo 3' are raking in money and fans. Plus: the Swedish singer-songwriter Jens Lekman plays live in our studio.
Talking with Yo-Yo Ma, the Ambassador of Cello
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Yo-Yo Ma once left his 266-year-old cello in a New York taxi. He got it back safely, which might be why he has an affinity for cabbies. "If you know something about their country and you can talk about their food or their music, you have a friend for life," he says on today's show. In that spirit of reaching across cultural lines, Ma talks about his latest CDs, "New Impossibilities," featuring his Silk Road Ensemble, and "Appassionato."
Musicians and the 'Real Me'
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Ever wonder why some musicians mask their identity behind stage names and elaborate P.R. machinery while others seem like an open book? We look how musicians relate to their audience and how it affects our appreciation of their art. And, composer and vocalist Nora York talks about her ongoing musical project, "Power/Play." Plus: Soundcheck’s CD picks of the week.
Strange but True Tales of Music Geekery
Monday, October 15, 2007
When the New York Times recently discontinued its "Times Select" subscription program and opened up its online archives, it gave the average reader with an eye-opening look at how the music industry and technology has developed over the years. Glenn Peoples of the music industry blog Coolfer explains. Also: This week is the CMJ Music Marathon, the annual festival where hundreds of indie musicians come together to either make their names or cement their hype. We get a preview. And Brazilian North meets the American south in the music of Brooklyn-based band Nation Beat, which performs live in our studio.
The Good, the Bad and the Overused
Friday, October 12, 2007
With its recent iPod commercial, Apple may have introduced Feist's "1, 2, 3, 4" to a new audience, but it wasn't the first time her song appeared in an ad. Meanwhile, Tabasco and Dannon are the latest advertisers to opt for the well-worn "burn, baby, burn" chorus from "Disco Inferno" by the Trampps. Today on Soundcheck, we find out which familiar ad songs still pack a promotional punch. And later: pop icon and Blondie frontwoman Deborah Harry talks about her new album, "Necessary Evil."
Bringing the "King" to the Concert Hall
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Elvis isn't dead - at least when it comes to several present-day jazz and classical musicians. Cyrus Chestnut has released an album, "Cyrus Plays Elvis," featured nearly a dozen classic songs by the King; the Memphis Symphony and composers like Michael Daugherty have also paid homage in symphonic scores. We find out what's behind this trend. Also: Grammy-nominated singer and multi-instrumentalist Meshell Ndegeocello is known for her throaty grooves mixed with soul, rap, and jazz. She performs live from her latest album, "The World Has Made Me the Man of My Dreams."
Music on the Honor System
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Radiohead is letting fans pay what they wish for the band's new album, "In Rainbows." Today, we look at the "tip-jar" model for album sales and ask listeners how much they would pay for Radiohead's latest. Plus: Annie Clark has played alongside indie rockers like Sufjan Stevens and the Polyphonic Spree. Now she’s enjoying critical acclaim for a solo debut released under the name St. Vincent. She performs live in our studio.
Music Moves at the Multiplex
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Joy Division was one of the gloomiest rock bands to emerge from England in the late '70s. The troubled life of the band's front-man, Ian Curtis, is now the subject of the rock biopic "Control." We talk to the film's director, Anton Corbijn. Also: Composer AR Rahman is a star in his native India, having sold more than 100 million albums, and composed the soundtracks to dozens of Bollywood films. Now American audiences are about to get more familiar with his music, which is featured in Cate Blanchett's film "Elizabeth: The Golden Age," which opens this Friday. Finally, Soundcheck's CD Picks of the week.
A Singing Cowboy and a British Bard
Monday, October 08, 2007
Gene Autry is the granddaddy of all cowboys and inspired the likes of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Ringo Star. We talk to the author of a new biography of the Hollywood legend. Also: Donovan, the British bard who wrote such psychedelic era classics as "Mellow Yellow" and "Sunshine Superman" is back on the scene, groovy as ever. He joins us. And finally: Glen Hansard of the Irish rock band The Frames. This is a repeat edition of Soundcheck.
From Starmaker to Celebrity
Friday, October 05, 2007
Music producers once were studio wizards who stayed behind the scenes. Now, producers like Kanye West and Timbaland are performers as well as hitmakers. Today, a look at the changing role of the producer in pop music. And, a conversation with producer Mark Ronson about his new solo album, "Version." Plus: the Finnish folk singer Sinikka Langeland performs live in our studio.
Tango Takes the Lead
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Tango, the sensual dance from Argentina, is booming in New York. It's turning up in tango classes, dance marathons, and TV shows. Today, we find out how tango's gliding steps and staccato rhythms are once again burning up dance floors. Also: Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings take another vintage style -- '60s soul and funk -- and bring it up to date for the present day. The Dap King's music is increasingly sampled on rap albums and is featured on singer Amy Winehouse's latest album. Jones and the band turn up the funk live in our studio. Finally, Soundcheck's CD Picks of the Week.
Cobain on Cobain
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Thirteen years after his death, Kurt Cobain talks about drugs, his childhood and the future of his band Nirvana. Today on Soundcheck: the new documentary "Kurt Cobain: About a Son," created from 25 hours of interviews with the tragic music icon. Later in the show, punk legends The Mekons celebrate their 30th anniversary. And the Brooklyn-based indie-pop band My Teenage Stride performs live in the studio.
Punk Turns 30
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Punk frightened plenty of people when it emerged from the rock underground. One British tabloid dubbed it "the filth and the fury." The BBC banned The Sex Pistols' single "God Save the Queen." Yet at the same time, the movement’s music, style and philosophy was taking root in cities around the world. Today, we a look back at three decades of punk and get 30 essential albums of the genre. Also: Irish singer-songwriter Fionn Regan performs songs from his Mercury Prize-nominated album, "The End of History."
Early Music in New York
Monday, October 01, 2007
The genre known as early music celebrates the sounds of the Renaissance and Middle Ages. Today on Soundcheck, we look at the New York's bid to become an early music mecca. Plus: the experimental indie group Animal Collective is inspired by Brian Wilson's sonic explorations with the Beach Boys. Members of the band join us to talk about "Strawberry Jam," their most accessible and acclaimed album to date.
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