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Songs on the Stump
Presidential candidates are surrounding themselves with music during the 2008 campaign. Today, we find out how candidates pick their playlists -- and how those songs sometimes wander off-message. Plus: the Brooklyn songwriter Thomas Bartlett has played with everyone from art-rock hero David Byrne to buzz band The National. He joins us for a live performance under his stage name, Doveman.
Weigh in: The 50th annual Grammy Awards take place Sunday, Feb. 10. Vote now in our Soundcheck Grammy Poll!
Campaign Songs
Hillary Clinton may have earned an endorsement from Barbra Streisand but she whips up supporters at rallies with Tom Petty's "American Girl." Barack Obama prefers feel-good Motown hits. And John McCain recently used an ABBA tune. We look at how campaign trail music is chosen, with Washington Post reporter Paul Farhi, Democratic media consultant Julian Mulvey, and Bill Greener, a Republican political consultant.
"Candidates' Tunes Hit A Few Sour Notes" by Paul Farhi
Video: "Yes We Can"
Video: Mitt Romney's "Who Let the Dogs Out"
Doveman
Last year was stellar for Thomas Bartlett, the well-traveled musician known as Doveman. He contributed to the National’s album “Boxer,” which appeared near the top of many end-of-the-year lists, and toured as an opener for them. He joins us to talk about his latest CD, “With My Left Hand I Raise the Dead,” and to play live for us.
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Soundcheck's Noteworthy New York
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Find out what John Schaefer and the Soundcheck staff have to say about recent segments on the show.
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Critics Week
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Music writers look back at the year's best pop, rock, hip hop, classical, jazz, Latin and world albums. Plus: the worst music of the year and the best online music. Read our critics' lists here. And don't forget to cast your vote in our best-albums poll.
Noteworthy New York
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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.
