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Testing the Limits of Music

Blaring loud music has become a standard interrogation technique in prisons from Abu Ghraib to Guantanamo. Now, some musicians are speaking out about the practice. We look at the use of music as a weapon of war. We're joined by Chloe Davies from the UK human rights organization Reprieve, and Justine Sharrock,, who wrote about the subject for Mother Jones magazine.

Our blog: John Schaefer on music and torture.

The Torture Playlist from Mother Jones

"F*ck Your God" - Deicide
"Die MF Die" - Dope
"Take Your Best Shot" - Dope
"White American" - Eminem
"Kim" - Eminem
"Barney Theme Song" - Barney
"Bodies" - Drowing Pool
"Enter Sandman" - Metallica
"TV Commercials-Meow Meow Me" - Meow Mix
"Sesame Street Theme" - Sesame Street
"Babylon" - David Gray
"Born in the U.S.A." - Bruce Springsteen
"Shoot to Thrill" - AC/DC
"Stayin Alive" - Bee Gees
"All Eyez On Me" - 2Pac
"Dirrty" - Christina Aguilera ft. Redman
"America" - Neil Diamond
"Bulls on Parade" - Rage Against the Machine
"American Pie" - Don McLean
"Click Click Boom" - Saliva
"Cold" - Matchbox 20
"Swan Dive" - Hed P.E.
"Rasberry Beret" - Prince

Reprieve web site
Torture Playlist from Mother Jones

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CD Picks of the Week

Vladimir Horowitz, "Horowitz in Hamburg: The Last Concert" (Deutsche Grammophon)

In June 1987, the great Russian pianist Vladimir Horowitz arrived in Hamburg, Germany at the end of a long European tour. He was 83 and it turned out to be his last public engagement. Fortunately, there were microphones from North German Radio ready to record every brilliant run, quirky accent, and crashing chord. This new disc documents that event. Listen to his performance of Chopin’s Polonaise No. 6 in A-Flat and you'll get a taste of that Horowitz magic, mellowed only slightly by age. --Brian Wise

Silver Jews, “Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea” (Drag City)

Our next CD pick comes from Silver Jews, the longtime project of the musician and writer David Berman. The band's lineup has included some of indie rock’s biggest names -- Pavement's Stephen Malkmus co-founded the group nearly 20 years ago. Now, with his wife Cassie backing him up, Berman’s storytelling talent continues to shine, like on the character sketch "Aloyisius Bluegrass Drummer." –-Joel Meyer

Peter Gabriel, et al. "Big Blue Ball" (Real World)

For some 20 years, Peter Gabriel has lived and worked in a refurbished mill outside the English city of Bath. The mill houses his Real World studios, and at three points during the 1990s, Gabriel invited musicians from all over the globe to what can only be described as a world music camp. For a week, musicians would live and eat and play together, and some unexpected, and unexpectedly good collaborations ensued. Big Blue Ball is a collection of some of those performances, from a motley crew that touched on the traditions of Madagascar, Central Africa, the Near East, American Gospel, indie rock, and of course, Peter Gabriel’s own brand of global pop.--John Schaefer

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Colin McGrath

Singer-songwriter Colin McGrath combines textured instrumentation with lyrics that are contemplative and quirky. His new album, "Window Seat," is steeped in storytelling and images of Americana. Sounds of classical, folk and pop music paint touching scenes of everyday life. He performs live in our studio.

Colin McGrath website

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