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Soundcheck / October 31, 2007

Soundcheck

Wednesday, October 31, 2007
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  • Album cover of "Way to Blue: An Introduction to Nick Drake"
    Album cover of "Way to Blue: An Introduction to Nick Drake"

    Back From the Dead

    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!)

Not the Last Goodbye

New CDs featuring the songs of Elliott Smith, Nick Drake, and Jeff Buckley point to the perils of releasing music long after the artist is around to weigh in. Today, we talk to Smith's sound engineer Larry Crane and Billboard.com reporter Katie Hasty about how estates and marketing opportunities change musicians' legacies.

John Medeski and Billy Martin

Billy Martin and John Medeski (of Medeski Martin and Wood) met in 1989 and first played together in Billy's Brooklyn loft. That two-hour session led to the formation of Medeski Martin and Wood. Now they've released "Mago," their first duet collaboration, which they share with us today.

For Classical Fans, Life After Tower

New York Times classical music critic Anne Midgette talks about CD buying in the post-Tower Records world, particularly with respect to one classical lovers' destination: a Web site called Arkivmusic.com.

Arkivmusic.com

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.

vote

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.

walmart

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

Atmosphere

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.

Tin Pan Alley

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.

Michael Azerrad

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.

Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile

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.

Tina Dico

Tina Dico

Soundcheck

Singer-songwriter Tina Dico tops the charts in her native Denmark. She joins us to share songs from her latest full-length album, "Count to Ten," as well as a trilogy of EPs.