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Soundcheck

Monday, November 19, 2007
  • Cate Blanchett in "I'm Not There"
    Cate Blanchett in "I'm Not There"

    The Freewheelin' Biopic

    It took six different actors and dozens of musicians to portray Bob Dylan on the big screen. Today on Soundcheck, Newsday film critic Gene Seymour joins us to preview the unusual storytelling and star-studded soundtrack at the heart of the new film "I’m Not There." Then, Kim Kashkashian joins us to talk about the traditional songs from Spain and Argentina on her latest album. And later: New York quartet So Percussion explores everything from minimalist classics to ambient electronica. They play live in our studio.

I'm Not There

The new Bob Dylan biopic "I'm Not There" generated a buzz on the film festival circuit this year with an unorthodox approach to the songwriter's life. Six actors, including Cate Blanchett, portray Dylan in various "eras" of his career -- as (at least) six different characters. Before it opens in New York on Wednesday, Newsday film critic Gene Seymour joins us to preview one of the year's most-anticipated music movies.

"I'm Not There" website

Kim Kashkashian

Kim Kashkashian is probably the world's greatest living violist. She joins us to talk about using her instrument to replace the human voice on traditional songs from Spain and Argentina on her latest album, "Asturiana."

More about Kim Kashkashian
"Asturania" is available for purchase on Amazon.com

So Percussion

The New York quartet So Percussion performs everything from early Minimalist classics to ambient electronica. On Tuesday, the ensemble will premiere a new work for piano and percussion quartet by composer Martin Bresnick at the World Financial Center. They join us for a live perfomance

So Percussion website

Best Live Performances of 2008

Soundcheck

We revisit memorable in-studio performances from Toumani Diabaté, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, and others.

The Year in Music and Branding

Soundcheck

Pop music and advertising go together like peanut butter and jelly. Grey Group music director Josh Rabinowitz shares his picks for the best song picks and ad campaigns of 2008.

Critics Week

Soundcheck

Music writers look back at the year's best pop, rock, hip hop, classical, jazz, Latin and world albums. Plus: the worst music of the year and the best online music. Read our critics' lists here. And don't forget to cast your vote in our best-albums poll.

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.