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Soundcheck / July 02, 2008

Soundcheck

Wednesday, July 02, 2008
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  • Brooklyn Masonic Temple
    (hirefrank/flickr)

    Change You Can... Dance To

    As Soundcheck airs our first show from our new Varick Street studios, the New York music scene is also undergoing big changes. New venues like Drom, (Le) Poisson Rouge and The Brooklyn Masonic Temple are in. Meanwhile CBGB, Tonic and The Village Gate are out. And the Williamsburg club Galapagos is moving to Dumbo. We’ll find out what's behind the club shuffle.

    Also: Vinicio Capossela is the Italian equivalent of Tom Waits, but his live shows come with scary masks and costumes. He joins us to talk about his new album, which includes collaborators like producer JD Foster (Tom Waits/Calexico) and composer Anthony Coleman.

New York's Club Shuffle

Keeping up with the city's ever-evolving club scene is a part-time job. Joining us to give us the latest overview of who's in, who's out -- and who's moved -- are Time Out New York music editor Mike Wolf, Le Poisson Rouge co-owner David Handler, and Galapagos director Robert Elmes.

Our blog: John Schaefer on New York's club shuffle

Le Poisson Rouge website
Galapagos Art Space website
Brooklyn Masonic Temple website

CD Picks of the Week

Each week, the Soundcheck staff digs through our inboxes to find the best new music.

The Hold Steady "Stay Positive" (Vagrant)

One of indie-rock’s top bands, The Hold Steady has been on a tear since moving from Minnesota to Brooklyn. Their latest, "Stay Positive," still has the band’s odd combination of heartland rock’n’roll with Craig Finn’s slice-of-life storytelling. But Finn, who has a distinctive speech/song delivery, actually gets closer to genuine singing on songs like "Sequestered in Memphis." --John Schaefer

Ahmad Jamal, "It’s Magic" (Birdology/Dreyfus Jazz)

In the 50s, pianist Ahmad Jamal was a major influence on Miles Davis. Jamal’s music contrasted simple and complex, sound and silence, can be clearly heard on the album "Miles Ahead." These days Jamal is sampled by rappers like Jay-Z and Nas. And the 77-year-old composer, producer and pianist continues to make music. His new album, “It’s Magic,” features him accompanied by drums, bass and percussion in an exhilarating recording. --Gisele Regatao

Dennis Wilson, “Pacific Ocean Blue” and “Bambu” (Caribou/Sony) Until now, this flawed rock masterpiece has been tough to find. “Pacific Ocean Blue” was the only solo album released by Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys. When it came out in 1977, it revealed an introspective side of this handsome, funloving drummer. Sadly, his new career would be cut short. Dennis Wilson drowned in 1983 while diving off his boat. He was 39 years old. The reissue comes with an unfinished album called Bambu" that hints at what might have been. --Joel Meyer

Vinicio Capossela

Vinicio Capossela is the Italian equivalent of Tom Waits, but his live shows come with scary masks and costumes. He joins us to talk about his new album, which includes collaborators like producer JD Foster (Tom Waits/Calexico) and composer Anthony Coleman.

Vinicio Capossela will be performing at Highline Ballroom on Jul. 2 at 9 p.m.

Toumani Diabaté

Best Live Performances of 2008

Soundcheck

We revisit memorable in-studio performances from Toumani Diabaté, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, and others.

Marvin Gaye

The Year in Music and Branding

Soundcheck

Pop music and advertising go together like peanut butter and jelly. Grey Group music director Josh Rabinowitz shares his picks for the best song picks and ad campaigns of 2008.

Taylor Swift

Critics Week

Soundcheck

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.

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.