Soundcheck Archive
December 2007
The Raw Power of Iggy Pop
Monday, December 31, 2007
In the late 1960s, a Michigan kid named Jim Osterberg turned into a "streetwalkin' cheetah with a heart full of napalm" and became the godfather of punk. Today, we examine the legacy of Iggy Pop. Plus: a look at the Iraq art world after the U.S. invasion. And finally, Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Luke Temple performs in our studio. This is a repeat episode of Soundcheck.
Best Live Performances: Part IV
Friday, December 28, 2007
This week, Soundcheck looks back at some of this year's most memorable live performances in our studio. We conclude our four-part series with performances from Chanticleer, New Pornographers, St. Vincent, DBR, Rotary Downs, Kaki King, The Holmes Brothers, Jens Lekman, Angelique Kidjo, the Shanghai String Quartet, and Minnie Driver.
Best Live Performances, Part III
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Soundcheck is highlighting some of this year's most memorable live performances in our studio. Today’s show includes pop star Tori Amos, pianist Simone Dinnerstein, soul band Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, singer-songwriter Andrew Bird, and more.
Best Live Performances: Part II
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
This week, Soundcheck highlights some of this year's most memorable live performances in our performance studio. Today: Terence Blanchard, the Chiara String Quartet, Andy Palacio and the Garifuna collective, Singer-songwriter Fionn Regan, Martin and Medeski, and more.
Best of Soundcheck Live: Episode One
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
This week, Soundcheck is highlighting some of the best live music we've heard in our studio in 2007. Kicking off today's show: classical pianists Gilbert Kalish and Wu Han. They perform excerpts from the four-hand piano version of Stravinsky's monumental "Rite of Spring." And later: performances from bluesmen Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Hubert Sumlin, indie rock band Beirut, Brooklyn Qawwali Party and more.
The Greatest Opening Song Lines
Monday, December 24, 2007
First impressions count in life as in pop songs – whether it's Simon & Garfunkel singing "Hello, Darkness, my old friend," the Beatles crooning "she was just seventeen," or Fiona Apple's declaration "I've been a bad, bad girl." Today, we look at what makes for a great opening lyric. Also: jazz bassist and composer Omer Avital performs in our studio. This is a repeat broadcast.
Critics Week: Highs and Lows of 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
In 2007, Paul McCartney teamed up with Starbucks. Madonna split with Warner Brothers. And Radiohead rocked the Internet. Today on Soundcheck: Wired magazine columnist Eliot van Buskirk recaps the music industry's top business and technology stories from 2007. Plus, we conclude Soundcheck's Critics Week with a list of the worst, most overrated albums of 2007, according to Chicago Sun Times music critic Jim DeRogatis. Plus: accordionist and cabaret artist Rachelle Garniez performs live in our studio.
More on Soundcheck's Critics' Week
Critics Week: The Year in Latin and World Music
Thursday, December 20, 2007
All this week, Soundcheck is surveying the best (and worst) of the year 2007 in music and today we turn our attention to the all-encompassing genre of World Music. Siddhartha Mitter, WNYC culture reporter and Boston Globe world music critic, joins us with his picks. We also look at the year in Latin music with Sandra Guzman, editor of Tempo, the Latino section of The New York Post. And finally: The Harlem Experiment is an album that gathers some of the top musicians in the uptown jazz scene. Producer Aaron Levinson and drummer Steve Berrios talk about combining music with DJ scratches, spoken word, and sound bytes.
Weigh in: Soundcheck's 2007 listener poll
More on Soundcheck's Critics' Week
Critics Week: The Year in Rock and Jazz
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
All this week, Soundcheck explores the highlights of 2007 in music. Today, find out how one album ignited controversy inside rock music while the jazz world stayed classy -- with a little help from Joni Mitchell. Pitchfork Media editor Ryan Schreiber and PopMatters writer Will Layman recap the year in rock and jazz. And later: flutist Eugenia Zukerman visits the Soundcheck studio.
Weigh in: Soundcheck's 2007 listener poll
More on Soundcheck's Critics' Week
Critics Week: The Year in Classical Music
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Soundcheck's annual survey of the year in music continues today with a look at the year in classical music. Washington Post chief classical music critic Anne Midgette surveys the highs and lows. Also: Drummer Chico Hamilton has been a name in jazz for over 50 years, but shows no signs of slowing down. He released four records last year including one to celebrate his 85th birthday. He joins us to talk about "Hamiltonia."
Weigh in: Soundcheck's 2007 listener poll
More on Soundcheck's Critics' Week
Critics Week: The Year in Pop
Monday, December 17, 2007
All this week, music critics are helping Soundcheck review the best and worst of 2007. Today: a look at the year in pop music with Ann Powers of the Los Angeles Times. Plus, we unveil our annual online poll. And later: With a singer and a pianist for parents, Sasha Dobson grew up with jazz. Her own music draws on Brazilian and pop sounds. Dobson performs live in our studio.
Weigh in: Soundcheck's 2007 listener poll
More on Soundcheck's Critics' Week
From Holiday Melodies to Subtle Soundtracks
Friday, December 14, 2007
Vince Guaraldi's soundtrack to the TV special "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is not only one of the best-loved Christmas albums of all time, it's also a jazz classic. Today, eMusic.com editor Michael Azerrad tells us the story behind Guaraldi's classic score. Also: This year's batch of Oscar-worthy films is notable for their relatively spare use of music. Film historian Jon Burlingame explains why directors want subtler music these days. Finally: Conductor David Zinman shares Christmas pieces that use 20th century sounds to evoke traditional moods.
Weigh in: Soundcheck's 2007 music poll
From Beyoncé to 'Bulgarian Idol'
Thursday, December 13, 2007
The "Best Music Writing 2007" anthology covers everything from the brilliance of Beyonce Knowles to something called "Bulgarian Idol." Today, novelist Jonathan Lethem talks about his profile of James Brown and Pitchfork Media's Nitsuh Abebe shares his portrait of songwriter Daniel Johnston. And, the book's guest editor, Bob Christgau, explains how he selected the cream of the critics. Plus: veteran soul singer Angie Stone was among the first signees to the revived Stax label. She performs live in our studio.
Dark Sounds on a Major Label
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Ten years go, the guys in Interpol were just another NYU band. But after crafting some of the catchiest, bleakest songs on two indie releases, Interpol has stepped up to the front lines of alternative music. The band's guitarist and bassist visit Soundcheck to talk about their album, "Our Love To Admire." Plus: Jazz trio The Bad Plus performs songs from its new record of rock songs, "Prog."
New York Phil To Visit Pyongyang
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The U.S. State Department says the New York Philharmonic could help thaw icy relations with North Korea. Others say the orchestra's upcoming visit could be a propaganda coup for Kim Jong-il. Today on Soundcheck: a look at a controversial diplomatic mission. And later: Composer Peter Schickele shares more adventures from the world of P.D.Q. Bach.
Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same?
Monday, December 10, 2007
The three surviving members of Led Zeppelin perform tonight in London in what's being touted as the biggest rock reunion ever. Today, we dare to debate the bulletproof legacy of these dark lords of rock with two critics, plus your calls. Also: The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn is a band that plays early jazz and blues. The ensemble recently won a "Subway Idol" contest and they talk about their sound and perform live in the studio.
The Little Ringtone That Could
Friday, December 07, 2007
With limited lifespans and three-dollar price tags, cell phone ringtones have been dubbed "the last great digital rip-off" by one technology columnist. Today on Soundcheck, we look at the brief, lucrative history of the ringtone. Also: Ever wonder why more songs aren’t written about dorm rooms and college life? We’ll hear from Ravens and Chimes, a band that’s made an album chronicling their lives at NYU.
What You Didn't Know about Black Women in Music
Thursday, December 06, 2007
The music industry has often pigeonholed black women as soul singers and "Divas." But a new book argues for their greater impact in the worlds of folk, blues and other genres, particularly when it comes to songwriting. Today, LaShonda Katrice Barnett, editor of the book I Got Thunder, explains. Also: Ari Roland is a New York-based bassist who has been recently named a State Department jazz ambassador. He joins us to talk about his six-month tour through countries like Russia, Turkmenistan, India and China and about his new album: "Ari Roland: And So I Lived in Old New York."
Thriller's Silver Anniversary
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Twenty-five years ago this week Michael Jackson released "Thriller" -- an album that towered over '80s pop music, just as it predated the singer's spectacular downfall. We’ll hear why the album remains significant. Also: Russian violinist Vadim Rapin explains why the Beethoven Concerto is the hardest piece in the violin repertoire.
Every Picture Tells a Story
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Veteran photographer Henry Diltz is the ultimate rock 'n' roll insider, turning up at legendary jam sessions, parties, and festivals -- from Woodstock to Monterrey. Today, he talks about his new book of more than 500 photos: California Dreaming: Memories and Visions of LA, 1966-1975. Also: Brazilian-born brothers Sergio and Odair Assad are one of today's leading classical guitar duos. They join us to share their new album, "Jardim Abandonado," and perform live in the studio.
Own the Record? See the Concert.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Music industry watchers say the album is a dead format, killed off by the popularity of song downloads. Today on Soundcheck, find out how the spirit of the album lives on: Mark Arm of the band Mudhoney and Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune talk to guest host Elisabeth Vincentelli about live-album concerts. And later: Few bands can boast a Pulitzer Prize-winner in their ranks. Seeking that elusive place where "Cole Porter meets prog and punk," the group Rackett performs live in our studio.
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