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Soundcheck

Friday, December 28, 2007
  • The New Pornographers
    The New Pornographers

    Best Live Performances: Part IV

    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 of 2007 (1)

Today's encore of live performances on Soundcheck starts with the choir Chanticleer, indie-pop group the New Pornographers, one-woman band St. Vincent, and the violinist DBR.

Best Live Performances of 2007 (2)

Our look back at live performances from 2007 continues with New Orleans rock group Rotary Downs, virtuoso guitarist Kaki King, juke-joint vets The Holmes Brothers, and Swedish songwriter Jens Lekman.

Best Live Performances of 2007 (3)

Our look back at the year's best live performances concludes with world music star Angelique Kidjo, the Shanghai String Quartet, and songwriter-actress Minnie Driver.

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.

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.

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

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

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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.

I Am Azerrad ... No, I Am Azerrad!

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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

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

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.