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April 2008

Moby Returns to the Dance Floor

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

On his latest album, Moby surveys his vast dance music past, cramming disco, house, rap and more onto one 63-minute CD. Today, the ubiquitous DJ and songwriter reflects on 25 years of nightclubbing in New York. Plus: Pianist Helio Alves and drummer Duduka da Fonseca are New York-based Brazilian musicians who have been friends for 15 years. They talk about their first album together and the state of samba jazz.


Pushing 50, Is Madonna Still in Vogue?

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Madonna's new album, "Hard Candy," out today, is either a return to dance-pop glory -- or a sad trip down memory lane. Today, a Soundcheck Smackdown on whether the most durable and deconstructed pop icon of the past two decades still has it. Also: Singer-songwriter Natalia Zukerman, the daughter of classical musicians Eugenia and Pinchas Zukerman, found her own style when she took up slide guitar. She joins us to share music from her new album, "Brand New Frame."


Placing Rock 'n' Roll in American Culture

Monday, April 28, 2008

Greil Marcus's 1975 book Mystery Train is probably the most widely admired book of rock criticism. It's just been published in a fifth edition. Today, the critic and author explains why his subjects – from Elvis to Sly Stone – continue to matter in American culture. Also: Lizz Wright is a rising star in the jazz world whose music features a distinct mixture of jazz, gospel, folk, and R&B. She joins us to share her latest album, "The Orchard," which is garnering some of her best reviews of her career.


Who's Afraid of Céline Dion?

Friday, April 25, 2008

Céline Dion is one of the most successful singers in the world, yet she has few fans among music critics. Today we find out if one critic changed his mind after immersing himself in Dion's music. Later: Brooklyn-based band Via Audio explains how they scored a top-notch producer. And, they perform live in our studio.


Passion of a Tragic Prodigy

Thursday, April 24, 2008

When the columnist Steve Lopez spotted a homeless man playing a battered violin, he knew he’d found a story. He didn’t realize the story would change his life. Today on Soundcheck, Lopez talks about a promising musician's journey from Juilliard into mental illness. Later: the members of Hymns left North Carolina and Texas to create Southern-fried folk-rock in Brooklyn. They join us for a live performance.


Where Did The Memorable TV Theme Songs Go?

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Themes from classic television shows are among the most memorable songs ever recorded, yet few modern shows open with one. Today: 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. This is a repeat edition of Soundcheck.


Clinton, Obama and the Power of Music

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

As Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama square off in today's Pennsylvania primary, we pose another Soundcheck Smackdown: "Which candidate has the best music?" Later: guitarist Habib Koité mixes the sounds of his native Mali with Western influences. He performs live in our studio.


Hair Today, Rock 'n' Roll Tomorrow

Monday, April 21, 2008

Everywhere you look, beards are making a comeback. Today, we find out why hairy cheeks and whiskers are now appearing on American Idol contestants, rock stars, late-night talk-show hosts, and even politicians. Later: The occasionally bearded songwriter Peter Morén is one third of Peter Bjorn and John, the Swedish trio that broke through last year with the whistle-driven hit "Young Folks." He joins us to play songs from his new solo album, "The Last Tycoon."


Know Me, Know My Record Collection

Friday, April 18, 2008

To what extent are we defined by our music collection? We find out from a music critic and a philosopher. Also: a composer talks about his processional for the pope. Later: the Austin, Texas, rock trio White Denim roars into our studio for a live performance.


The Musician Visa Problem

Thursday, April 17, 2008

American visa rules are now so complicated (and expensive) that it's become increasingly difficult for musicians to enter the country. Today: a look at a proposal to speed up the visa process. And Iranian rocker Raam, from Hypernova, shares his visa nightmare. Also: Minneapolis band Cloud Cult talks about performing with painters on stage, and plays live in our studio.


Philip Glass on Film

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

The new documentary "Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts" traces a year in the composer's life. Director Scott Hicks talks about making the film. Also: Composer Ned Rorem and poet J.D. McClatchy on "Our Town," their opera based on the Thornton Wilder classic. Plus, Soundcheck's CD Picks of the Week.


How do you solve a problem like Mariah?

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Depending on your perspective, Mariah Carey deserves either the credit or the blame for much of today's highly embellished, melisma-saturated pop vocals. Her new album, "E=MC²" - which hits stores today - is the latest example of her remarkable vocal range and staying power. Today, two critics debate her significance in the music world. Also: genre-crossing cellist, trombonist and composer Dana Leong performs live in the studio.


Hips Don't Lie, But Lips Do

Monday, April 14, 2008

The opera world is buzzing with the news that the late Luciano Pavarotti lip-synched the final performance of his career. Today on Soundcheck, we find out why major stars fake it -- and whether fans can ever forgive them. Later: composer Victoria Bond and soprano Patricia Johnson join us to talk about Bond's opera "Mrs. President."


What's in a Name? In Jazz, Plenty

Friday, April 11, 2008

Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers were one of the few jazz ensembles with a cool name. But what about the Miles Davis Quintet? Or the John Coltrane Quartet? We find out why jazz groups seem resistant to flashy names. And later: With influences from France, India, Latin America, and Africa, you'd think Rupa and the April Fishes was formed in the food court of a suburban mall. In fact, it was born in the streets of San Francisco by singer and songwriter Rupa Marya. She and band join us with a live performance.


Making Ends Meet in the Arts

Thursday, April 10, 2008

UBS, the giant Swiss bank, has withdrawn its support of an elite Swiss orchestra. We find out if other arts organizations should be concerned amid a shaky economic climate. Later, Swedish singer-songwriter Anna Ternheim talks about her debut album and plays live in our studio. Plus: our Soundcheck CD picks of the week.


Music Industry Shake-ups -- the consumer's view

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Superstar rapper Jay-Z is ditching his label and about to sign with concert promoter Live Nation. MySpace is set to battle iTunes for online music sales. Today, we look at how these and other music industry bombshells matter to you. Also: veteran rockers They Might Be Giants have fashioned a new album of quirky pop songs out of stuff you learn in preschool - hence the album's title: "Here Comes the 123s." Finally: Soundcheck's CD Picks of the week.


Maestro or Monster?

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

For decades, conductor Herbert Von Karajan was the most powerful man in classical music. He also had a dangerous ego and a link to the Nazi Party. Today on Soundcheck, it’s another Soundcheck Smackdown, as critics debate Karajan’s legacy. Later: After releasing a critically acclaimed debut, indie quartet Tapes n Tapes is back with an album called "Walk It Off." They play live in our studio. Plus: composer David Lang joins us to talk about winning the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for music.


Soothing sounds for Stressed-out Hounds

Monday, April 07, 2008

Growing evidence suggests that classical music may help to calm your family dog. Today, we're joined by the creator of a new CD that prescribes Chopin and Schubert to soothe your pooch. Also: New Orleans trumpeter Irvin Mayfield was about to record an album when Katrina struck. The offices of his record company where destroyed by the floods, but thanks to his iPod – where he saved the original mixes – the music wasn't lost. He joins us to perform live in the studio. This is an encore edition of Soundcheck.


Don't Let It Be: Pick Your Beatle

Friday, April 04, 2008

When it comes to the songwriting duo behind the Beatles, fans aren’t always able to "Come Together." Some love John. Others prefer Paul. Today on Soundcheck, two rock critics and our listeners square off in a Lennon vs. McCartney debate. Later: conductor Robert Spano and composer Christopher Theofanidis talk about "Atlanta School," a growing group of composers. And: the Living Room celebrates 10 years on the Lower East Side.


From Blueberry Nights to African Skies

Thursday, April 03, 2008

"My Blueberry Nights" is Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai's first American movie; it's Norah Jones' first movie, period. Jones not only acts but also contributes a song to the soundtrack, as do artists like Cat Power and Cassandra Wilson. Wong Kar Wai talks about the soundtrack. Also: as the Brooklyn Academy of Music hosts a three-week Paul Simon residency, a critic and producer discuss the singer and songwriter's enduring legacy. Finally: Following his mandate to elevate the profile of Garifuna culture, the late producer Andy Palacio — along with producer Ivan Duran — recorded "Umalali," music from the West African and native Central American peoples. We get a taste of it today.


Punk Salvation

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Growing up in South Boston during the 1980s wasn’t easy. When one teenager's friends turned to drugs and alcohol, he turned to the Clash and the Sex Pistols. Today on Soundcheck, the story of punk rock salvation in Michael Patrick MacDonald's book, Easter Rising. Later: Brazilian guitarist Carlos Barbosa Lima joins us for a live performance before his 50th anniversary concert at Carnegie Hall. And, Soundcheck's picks of the week.


Debating R.E.M.'s Return to Form

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

R.E.M.'s fourteenth album, "Accelerate," is their hardest-rocking yet, says one critic. Another argues that they've lost their edge. Today: a debate over the return of R.E.M. Plus: a conversation with the band’s guitarist, Peter Buck. Also: Pavement is considered to be one of the most influential alternative rock acts of the 1990s. The band's lead singer, Stephen Malkmus went solo after they broke up in 2000, and he's currently on tour with his backing band The Jicks. He joins us to share their new album, "Real Emotional Trash."