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(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)Whether Music Therapy Hits All the Right Notes
Many hospitals use music as a way to ease patients' pain, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress. But not everyone believes in music's therapeutic benefits. Today: a Soundcheck Smackdown debate on the power of music therapy. Also: the African music superstars Orchestra Baobab.
Music Therapy - Healing or Hoax?
The top-selling classical album in the U.S. is a disc of Chant that’s being promoted for its "calming effects." Meanwhile, many hospitals use music as a way to ease patients' pain, lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and advance coping abilities for patients. But not everyone is so convinced. Joining us to debate music's therapeutic benefits: Dr. Clive Robbins, founder of the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy at New York University, and Dr. Steven P. Novella, an American clinical neurologist and president and co-founder of the New England Skeptical Society.
Our blog: John Schaefer on music therapy
Tell us: What do you think? Is music therapy a method of healing? Or a hoax?
The Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy at New York University
Orchestra Baobab
Senegalese band Orchestra Baobab is one of the pioneers of Afro pop and they have impacted many artists to come, like Youssou N’Dour and Baaba Maal. Their new album, "Made in Dakar" has new songs, as well as a collection of pieces from the band's 20 records, some of which were only available on tapes. Guitarist Latfi Benjeloun joins us as the band lands in town for their summer tour.
Orchestra Baobob performs tonight at 7pm at Rockefeller Park as part of the River to River Festival, and tomorrow at noon at the BAM Rhythm & Blues Festival at MetroTech.
Viva La Coldplay
Here at Soundcheck, we love a good old-fashioned hit album as much as the next person. But they're few and far between these days. Coldplay sold more than 700,000 copies of "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends" since its release last Tuesday. The album is expected to debut at No. 1 this week. We ask New York Times pop music editor Sia Michel why Coldplay seems immune to the sales slump that is plaguing other established artists.
NY Times, "Coldplay's Strong Sales Buck Industry Trends"
Coldplay on MySpace
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