wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

On Demand

Program Schedule

Topics

Soundcheck / January 21, 2008

Soundcheck

Monday, January 21, 2008
Previous Episode | Next Episode
  • James Brown

    Spilling Ink Over Music

    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. This is a repeat edition of Soundcheck

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 on Amazon.com
Making Plans for Daniel on Pitchfork

Angie Stone Live

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.

Angie Stone's web site

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

Soundcheck

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

The Decemberists

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.

headphone

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.