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Tango : The Art History of Love by Robert Farris Thompson (Pantheon)Tango Takes the Lead
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.
Tango Fever
Tango, the sensual dance originating in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is more popular than ever, inspiring tango classes, dance marathons, and TV shows like "Dancing with the Stars." In advance of the N.Y. Tango Festival taking place this weekend, we look at the music behind the passion.
Soundcheck CD Picks of the Week
Each week, the Soundcheck staff digs through their inboxes for the best, catchiest, or strangest music they can find.
Richard Leo Johnson & Gregg Bendian, "Who Knew Charlie Shoe?"
Johnson is perhaps the real heir to the throne left empty when John Fahey died. His acoustic guitar playing is subtly virtuosic, and his music is informed by everything from Stravinsky to folk music to acid rock. Drummer Bendian reveals another side of his colorful, experimental nature. picked by John Schaefer
Who Knew Charlie Shoe? is available for purchase at amazon.com
Kim Kashkashian and Robert Levin, "Asturiana – Songs From Spain and Argentina"
Viola player Kashkashian and pianist Levin perform traditional songs from Spain and Argentina by composers like Manuel de Falla, Enrique Granados and Alberto Ginastera. Stripped from the lyrics, the album is sensual, beautiful, reflective. picked by Gisele Regatao
Asturiana – Songs From Spain and Argentina is available for purchase at amazon.com
RF and Lili De La Mora, “Eleven Continents”
Simply a beautiful, gentle folk gem, from the duo of Ryan Francesconi and Lili De La Mora. The arrangements by multi-instrumentalist Francesconi are simple, mostly acoustic guitar with cello and harp (from Joanna Newsom) underscoring the music. De La Mora’s vocals aren’t so much sung as ‘breathed’ out almost as a sigh. picked by Irene Trudel
Eleven Continents is available for purchase at amazon.com
Thurston Moore, "Trees Outside the Academy"
Second solo album from Sonic Youth member. Given Moore's entensive explorations of guitar noise over his 30-year career, this album is a pop shocker: a collection of tight, catchy songs, many performed on an acoustic guitar accompanied by (gasp!) strings. A few guitar grinders, for the purists. picked by Joel Meyer
Trees Outside the Academy is available for purchase at amazon.com
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
Retro-soul stylists Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings have generally stayed off the mainstream music industry radar - until now. With their third album, "100 Days, 100 Nights," the band is receiving high-profile attention, with features on MTV and major magazines. Today we find out why as the band performs live in the studio.
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Soundcheck's Noteworthy New York
Want to know the hottest places to go this weekend? Check out where New York's musicians go in their free time.
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Find out what John Schaefer and the Soundcheck staff have to say about recent segments on the show.
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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.
Your "Democracy Song"
Soundcheck
As we march toward Election Day, Soundcheck wants you to identify a song that captures the spirit of democracy. It might be Woody Guthrie’s populist classic “This Land Is Your Land” or Sly and the Family Stone’s funky hit “Everyday People.” It might even be a current Top 40 hit with mass appeal. Put on your musical thinking cap, get creative, then post your song here.
Buying Music: A Smackdown Series
Soundcheck
Check out our ongoing series of Soundcheck Smackdown debates on the music marketplace -- and how we shop inside it. Part I: the pros and cons of MySpace. Part II: two documentarians throw down over music at Wal-Mart. Coming up: Part III: iTunes and Part IV: iPod vs. Zune
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Atmosphere
Soundcheck
With minimalist beats and confessional rhymes, the hip-hop duo Atmosphere became the toast of the hip-hop underground after it formed 10 years ago. Now, the group has turned to classic funk and soul, and frontman Slug is still telling captivating stories. They perform in our studio.
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Tin Pan Alley
Soundcheck
A two-block stretch of West 28th Street was once the home of American songwriters and music publishers. But buildings in area are now up for sale, and preservationists fear a major development is in the works. We look at the history and future of Tin Pan Alley.
I Am Azerrad ... No, I Am Azerrad!
Soundcheck
Nirvana biographer and indie-rock historian Michael Azerrad writes about musicians for a living. Now, the British band Tubelord (pictured) has written about him -- and the lyrics are a tad scary.
- Comments [1]
Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile
Soundcheck
Two major players from the worlds of classical and American roots music have joined forces for an album of new material. They perform in our studio.
- Comments [7]
