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Soundcheck

Wednesday, December 05, 2007
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  • Michael Jackson's "Thriller"
    Michael Jackson's "Thriller"

    Thriller's Silver Anniversary

    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.

Crowning the King of Pop

Michael Jackson's "Thriller" changed the music industry forever. It broke sales records and stayed at No. 1 on the charts for 37 weeks. And, it changed the way pop music related to African-American performers, music videos, and even dancers. Daily News music critic Jim Farber tells us how Jackson's masterpiece remixed pop culture. And, recording engineer Bruce Swedien shares his firsthand experience in the "Thriller" sessions.

Weigh in: What are your memories of Thriller? Are they affected by the Michael Jackson of today?

Jim Farber's article in the NY Daily News
Video: Prison inmates dancing "Thriller"
Video: Original "Thriller" video

Soundcheck's Picks of the Week

Four stand-out new albums, as chosen by the Soundcheck staff.

Glenn Gould: "The Young Maverick" (CBC Records)

This new six-CD box set is drawn from radio broadcasts of the legendary Canadian pianist from the early '50s. Gould was a fearless performer, and the medium of live radio only heightens the sense of risk-taking here. --Brian Wise

"The Young Maverick" is available for purchase at Amazon.com

Doveman, "With My Left Hand I Raise the Dead" (Brassland)

This has been a stellar year for Thomas Bartlett, the musician known as Doveman. He contributed to The National's outstanding "Boxer," joined his National pals on tour, and turned out another Doveman album full of sad and blurry memories. Bartlett’s voice barely hovers above a whisper as he sings about chasing clouds, sunken queens, and tender mercies. --Joel Meyer

"With My Left Hand I Raise the Dead" is available for purchase at Amazon.com

3 Cohens "Braid" (Anzic Records)

Every other young jazz musician playing in New York today seems to come from Israel. Three of them come from the very same family. Trumpeter Avishai Cohen, clarinetist and saxophonist Anat Cohen and saxophonist Yuval Cohen all have independent careers, and play music as diverse as bepop and Brazilian choro. When they jam together, they're known as the 3 Cohens. --Gisele Regatao

"3 Cohens" is available for purchase at Amazon.com

Mahmoud Ahmed and the Either Orchestra, "EthioSonic" (Buda Musique)

This DVD documents the meeting between Mahmoud Ahmed, one of Ethiopia’s greatest pop singers, and the Massachusetts 10-piece jazz band called the Either Orchestra. Ahmed is one of the legends of the golden age of Ethiopian pop in the '70s. The Either Orchestra has recently been reviving interest in this music, which almost disappeared after the end of Haile Selassie’s reign in the mid 70s. --John Schaefer

"EthioSonic" is available for purchase at Amazon.com

Vadim Repin

The Siberian city of Novosibirsk has produced two of the most prominent Russian violinists under 40, including Vadim Repin. Chalk it up to something in the local borscht or more likely, top-notch training. Today, Repin joins us to talk about his upbringing and to perform a selection from his latest album of Beethoven.

More about Vadim Repin
Repin's Beethoven Violin Concerto is available for purchase at Amazon.com

audience

Soundcheck Smackdown: When Contemporary Met Classical

Soundcheck

Like vegetables stuck into a delicious meal, contemporary classical music is forced on concert audiences before they are allowed to enjoy their Brahms. So says humorist, critic and author Joe Queenan. Today, Queenan and John Berry, Artistic Director with English National Opera, join us for a Soundcheck Smackdown debate on the merits of contemporary music.

musical clouds

You Are What You Hear

Soundcheck

Washington Post reporter Paul Farhi takes us through some of the most famously botched song lyrics in rock history. We’ll explore why the words we make up are usually more interesting than the real version. Then, listeners confess their favorite and most embarrassing reinvented lyrics.

Leave a comment: Give us your favorite set of misheard lyrics! Were you disappointed when you learned the actual words?

Rosanne Cash and Mark O'Connor

Soundcheck

For her, he was a father. For him, he was a boyhood hero. For the nation, he was an icon. Singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash and composer and violinist Mark O'Connor join us to talk about how Johnny Cash has inspired their musical collaboration. And they will play live.

Katy

Soundcheck's Summer Song Poll

Soundcheck

Every year, popular and critical opinion somehow converge to settle on a "summer song." In 2007, it was Rihanna's "Umbrella." The year before, it was "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley. The practice stretches back to the very dawn of pop radio. Yet defining the essence of a "summer song" is a bit elusive. We enlist the help of Blender editor at large Lizzy Goodman -- and of our Soundcheck listeners, in an online poll.

Cast your vote: Soundcheck's Summer Song Poll 2008

Can't decide? Check out audio and video clips of the contestants here.

Our blog: John Schaefer asks what makes a good summer song,

  1. The Brian Lehrer Show: Live from the Democratic National Convention (08/25/2008)
  2. The Brian Lehrer Show: Live from the Democratic National Convention: Day 4 (08/28/2008)
  3. The Brian Lehrer Show: Live from the Democratic National Convention: Day 3 (08/27/2008)
  4. The Brian Lehrer Show: Live from the Democratic National Convention: Day 2 (08/26/2008)
  5. The Brian Lehrer Show: Business Connections (08/22/2008)
  6. The Brian Lehrer Show: Live from Denver (08/29/2008)
  7. The Leonard Lopate Show: 1-2-3 (08/26/2008)