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Soundcheck

Thursday, December 13, 2007
  • Beyoncé on B'Day
    Beyoncé on B'Day

    From Beyoncé to 'Bulgarian Idol'

    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.

The Year in Music Writing

More than two dozen stories are included in this year's "Best Music Writing" anthology. Among them: Novelist Jonathan Lethem’s in-depth portrait of the legendary James Brown and Pitchfork Media writer Nitsuh Abebe's profile of indie hero Daniel Johnston. We’ll talk with Lethem, Abebe, and the book's guest editor, rock critic Robert Christgau.

"Best Music Writing 2007" is available for purchase on Amazon.com
More about Robert Christgau
More about Jonathan Lethem
"Making Plans for Daniel" on PitchforkMedia.com

Angie Stone

Neo-soul singer Angie Stone is best known for her rich, sultry voice and songs that chronicle the ups and downs of love and relationships. She shares “The Art of Love and War,” her first album on the re-launched Stax label, which has yielded some of the best reviews of her career. And, she performs live in our studio.

More about Angie Stone
Angie Stone on MySpace

The Ill Effects of Urban Noise

Soundcheck

Soundcheck received an overwhelming response to our segment on the effects of urban noise. So much so that Arline Bronzaft decided to address the feedback. Listen to the original segment and read Bronzaft's response.