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Soundcheck / February 04, 2008

Soundcheck

Monday, February 04, 2008
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  • Chan Marshall (Cat Power)
    Stefano Giovannini

    Cat Powers's Nine Lives and Twelve Cover Songs

    Singer-songwriter Chan Marshall (aka Cat Power) is known for her intimate voice and unpredictable but endlessly fascinating concerts. She joins us today to perform songs from "Jukebox," an all-covers album featuring songs by Dylan, Sinatra and Billie Holiday, among others. Also: Indie-folk songwriter Thao Nguyen has her own quirky taste in names. Her backing band is called The Get Down Stay Down. Her latest album is called "We Brave Bee Stings and All." But on stage, the Virginia native is calls herself merely... Thao. Finally: Soundcheck's CD picks of the week.

    Weigh in: The 50th annual Grammy Awards take place Sunday, Feb. 10. Vote now in our Soundcheck Grammy Poll!

Cat Power Live

Chan Marshall is better known as Cat Power, the singer-songwriter who of late has begun living down her reputation for unpredictable live shows. Her latest album is "Jukebox," an all-covers sequel to her 2000 effort "The Covers Album." On this latest release, she takes on Dylan, Sinatra and Billie Holiday while backed by the Dirty Delta Blues Band. She joins us for a live performance.

More on Cat Power's "Jukebox"

Thao Live

23-year-old indie-songwriter Thao Nguyen has been catching the notice of critics and fans with her smoky alto voice and eclectic songs that draw from rock, folk, country and even Dixieland jazz influences. She performs live from her second full-length album, "We Brave Bee Stings and All."

Thao's MySpace page

cab

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.

vote

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.

walmart

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

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

Tin Pan Alley

Soundcheck

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.

Michael Azerrad

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

Soundcheck

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

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

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.