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Soundcheck / June 17, 2008

Soundcheck

Tuesday, June 17, 2008
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    (Brian Boros/flickr)

    Soundcheck Smackdown: Cell Phones at Concerts

    To some music fans, a concert isn't a concert until they've taken a picture using their cell phone. Or text-messaged their friends. Today, we debate whether cellular phones are enhancing or ruining concerts. Also: pianist Simone Dinnerstein, whose recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations was among last year's most talked-about classical recordings, joins us to preview her upcoming CD, of works by Bach, Beethoven and Philip Lasser.

Mobile Madness

At many pop concerts, the audience is so busy filming and recording the experience with their cell phones, they forget to pay attention to the music. Today, a "Soundcheck Smackdown" debate over whether cell phones are enhancing or ruining concerts. We're joined by Thor Christensen, pop music critic for the Dallas Morning News, and Eliot Van Buskirk, columnist for Wired.com.

Our blog: John Schaefer on cell phones at concerts. Plus, A listener submits a cell phone photo from a concert

Tell us: Do you have an opinion about the impact of cell phones on the concert experience? Do you have a story to tell about a cell phone at a concert? Leave a comment.

Are cellphones ruining the concert experience? by Thor Christensen
Wired.com's Listening Post blog
Watch: Prince plays Radiohead's "Creep" at Coachella 2008
Watch: Past distraction -- screaming Beatles fans

Simone Dinnerstein

Pianist Simone Dinnerstein's 2007 recording of Bach's "Goldberg Variations" became an unlikely hit, topping the Billboard classical charts, reaching No. 3 on the Amazon charts, and for a time, leading iTunes in downloads. This summer she releases her follow-up CD, "The Berlin Concert," and tonight she performs at Le Poisson Rouge, the new concert venue in Greenwich Village. She performs live for us today in the studio.

More about Simone Dinnerstein's "The Berlin Concert"

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.