wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

On Demand

Program Schedule

Topics

Soundcheck / May 21, 2008

Soundcheck

Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Previous Episode | Next Episode
  • Bob Dylan

    Freewheelin' in the Years

    For 45 years, she was known as the woman clinging to a young Bob Dylan's arm on a legendary album cover. Today: Suze Rotolo talks about being Dylan's muse and shares her memoir about Greenwich Village in the 1960s. Later: operatic bass Hao Jiang Tian came of age during China's Cultural Revolution. He talks about his remarkable journey from a factory floor to the Metropolitan Opera stage.

Suze Rotolo

When they lived in Greenwich Village in 1961 they were cherub-cheeked kids. She was 17, came by subway from Queens and was called Suze Rotolo. He was 20, came from Minnesota and was called Bob Dylan. Almost 50 years later, Suze finally wrote a memoir of her life next to the American icon, just before and during the start of the flood of fame. Suze Rotolo joins us to talk about her book, "A Freewheelin' Time: A Memoir of Greenwich Village in the Sixties."

Our blog: John Schaefer on bearing witness to music history

Tell us: Were you part of a historic moment in music? Did you know it at the time?

"A Freewheelin' Time" on Amazon.com

Journey From East to West

The Chinese-born operatic bass Hao Jiang Tian worked in a factory as a teenager, yet also was able to develop as a singer during the Cultural Revolution. Today, he is a regular fixture at the Metropolitan Opera, where he recently sang in a production of Tan Dun’s "The First Emperor." He joins us to talk about his new memoir, Along the Roaring River: MY Wild Ride from Mao to the Met.

"Along the Roaring River" on Amazon.com
Hao Jiang Tian's web site

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.