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Soundcheck

Wednesday, January 16, 2008
  • Brady Bunch

    They're Creepy and They're Kooky

    Themes from classic television shows are among the most memorable songs ever recorded, yet few modern shows open with one. Today on Soundcheck: Find out what happened to the TV theme song. Also: keyboardist Marco Benevento of the indie instrumental Benevento Russo duo talks about his new solo album and performs live in our studio.

Just Sit Right Back, and You'll Hear a Tale...

Most people can sing at least a few lines from the songs that opened television shows like "Gilligan's Island," "The Brady Bunch," or "The Jeffersons." Yet few programs today kick off with a musical explanation of the series' premise. We ask Eric Deggans, media critic at the St. Petersburg Times, why the TV theme song is an endangered species. And longtime songwriters Marilyn and Alan Bergman talk about creating themes for "Good Times," "Alice," and other hit shows.

Weigh in: What's your favorite TV show theme song? Do you miss them?

Eric Deggans' story in the St. Petersburg Times
Alan and Marilyn Bergman's website

Duo Guy Goes Solo

Keyboardist Marco Benevento earned his chops as one half of the hard-touring, jammy Benevento-Russo Duo. In 2007, he drew praise for his three-CD set of live performances recorded at the now-shuttered nightclub Tonic. On the eve of his first solo studio album, Benevento joins us for a live performance and preview of "Invisible Baby."

Marco Benevento website

Introducing our Video Contest

Soundcheck

John Schaefer gives the lowdown on Soundcheck's music video challenge with the Fiery Furnaces.

In Studio: Angel Deradoorian

Soundcheck

The 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist performs live in our studio.

Cucu Diamantes Performs Amor Cronico

Soundcheck

Cucu Diamantes went from a tough childhood in Havana, Cuba, to an art school in Rome to underground New York City, where she co-founded the Latin alternative band Yerba Buena.

In Studio: Stephanie McKay

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The local singer-songwriter performs "Jackson Avenue," a nostalgic toast to her childhood in the South Bronx.

In Studio: The Decemberists

The Portland, Ore., band's latest album, "The Hazards of Love," is a concept album with a mythological flair. They joined Soundcheck to play live for a studio audience in WNYC's Greene Space.

Sound Off

Soundcheck

Throughout May, Soundcheck presents “Sound Off” a Friday series on the many aspects of noise in music and our lives. The series -- which coincides with “Better Hearing and Speech Month” -- looks at issues like New York’s noisiest neighborhoods, the latest research on iPods and hearing loss, and what happens when noise becomes a musical ingredient.