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Bassist Ira Wolf Tuton of Yeasayer (Zruda/flickr)Soundcheck Smackdown: Rock's Bottom End
Marquee rock acts like the White Stripes and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are getting along just fine without a bass guitarist. In another Soundcheck Smackdown, we debate the importance of bass guitar in rock music. Plus: Regina Spektor got her start in New York's anti-folk scene. Now she's working with Ben Folds and contributing a song to the latest "Chronicles of Narnia" film. She joins us to perform live in our studio.
Soundcheck Smackdown: Aces of Bass
In the rock world, bass guitar is a bit like Rodney Dangerfield: no respect. Bassists often live in the shadow of flashy guitarists and charismatic singers. Now, some of rock's most successful acts -- the White Stripes, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Black Keys among them -- don't even bother with a bass player. In another Soundcheck Smackdown, New Yorker pop music critic Sasha Frere-Jones and Bass Player magazine senior editor Jonathan Herrera debate the importance of bass guitar in rock.
Tell us: In rock music, is bass guitar expendable ... or essential?
Our blog: John Schaefer on the bass controversy
Sasha Frere-Jones blog at New Yorker.com
Jonathan Herrera on MySpace
Bass Player magazine site
"State of Bass" (MaxOneMillion blog)
"Soundcheck Smackdown Brings It Around Again" (The Bass Geek blog)
Regina Spektor
Since she got her start in New York’s anti-folk scene of the ‘90s, Regina Spektor has made quirky, eclectic and always personal music. This summer she can be heard performing the duet "You Don't Know Me" with Ben Folds, and her song “The Call” is featured in the movie “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.” She joins us to perform live in the studio.
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Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, stars of the romantic indie film Once, will debate which is more powerful: a love song or a breakup song. And: live music from Grammy winning violinist Joshua Bell and Cuban stars Tiempo Libre.
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The Ill Effects of Urban Noise
Soundcheck
Soundcheck received an overwhelming response to our segment on the effects of urban noise. So much so that Arline Bronzaft decided to address the feedback. Listen to the original segment and read Bronzaft's response.
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