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September 2008

Alcohol and Live Music

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Legendary singer-songwriter Van Morrison has banned fans from drinking alcohol at his concerts in England. But some concert halls are loosening up -- and allowing audience members to bring glasses of wine to their seats. In another Soundcheck Smackdown, we hear from both sides and take your calls.


Glass in a Box

Monday, September 29, 2008

For more than 40 years, Philip Glass has created music -- and controversy. The iconic composer talks abour his career and a 10-CD retrospective. And: guitarist Tom Morello knows a thing or two about controversy. He rocked this summer's Democratic and Republican national conventions with his band Rage Against the Machine and as a solo artist. He plays live in our studio.


Metallica, Ne-Yo and the Hootie Guy

Friday, September 26, 2008

Some of this week's best-selling albums come from heavy metal's flagship act, a producer-songwriter, and the frontman of Hootie and the Blowfish. Today: what Billboard charts reveal about the state of pop music, part of our series, "Who’s on Top, and Who Should Be." Plus: a live performance from Brooklyn-based songwriter Jennifer O’Connor. And, our CD Picks of the Week.


Music as a Workout Motivator

Thursday, September 25, 2008

It’s getting near that time of year when outdoor workouts come in from the cold. Today: how music in your health club is chosen -- and why music matters to your workout. Also: Damon Albarn, frontman of the Britpop group Blur, and graphic artist Jamie Hewlett, a comic-book artist and designer, talk about writing an opera based on a 16th-century Chinese fable. Finally: Jazz meets Indian raga in the works of saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa.


The Real Leonard Bernstein

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

It's the first day of "Our Lenny," WNYC's Leonard Bernstein festival. Today, we start the conversation with a look at the late musician's influence as a conductor, composer, and media superstar. Also: the Tucson-based band Calexico writes songs in a genre that could be called "Southwest noir." The group talks about their latest album, "Carried to Dust," and performs live.


That '70s Show

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

The seventies are forever the most maligned decade of rock music – the era of Foreigner, Frampton, and Foghat. On today’s Soundcheck Smackdown: a debate over whether the age of the 8-Track deserves more respect. Also: French duo pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque share their new album of Spanish songs made with the Spanish singer Mayte Martín. Later: music critic Alex Ross made the list of MacArthur Fellows announced today. He joins us to talk about the award.


The Language of Song

Monday, September 22, 2008

Renée Fleming is one of opera's best-known stars, having performed both at the Met and on Letterman. On today's show: the Grammy-nominated soprano tells us about building audiences for opera, and having her image plastered all over New York City buses this fall. Also: New trends in contemporary opera. Plus: Scottish folk-singer Julie Fowlis performs live in our studio.

Enter Soundcheck’s songwriting contest! Your lyrics could be selected by our Grammy Award-winning judge and set to music by New York-area musicians. Click here for rules and more details.


Country Music's Women's Movement

Friday, September 19, 2008

For women in country music, life isn't all sequins and rhinestones. Today we examine the roles women have played in the country genre and talk with Bobbie Lee Nelson, sister of country icon Willie Nelson. Plus: Quadruple platinum-selling kids' music star Laurie Berkner plays songs from her new record, "Rocketship Run."

Enter Soundcheck’s songwriting contest! Your lyrics could be selected by our Grammy Award-winning judge and set to music by New York-area musicians. Click here for rules and more details.


The Return of Squeeze

Thursday, September 18, 2008

The British group Squeeze bridged the gap between guitar pop and post-punk during the late 1970s and early '80s. Today, one-half of the Squeeze songwriting team talks about reuniting a Britpop favorite. And: violinist Phillipe Quint recalls a different kind of reunion, one that happened after a fateful ride in a taxi.

Enter Soundcheck’s songwriting contest! Your lyrics could be selected by our Grammy Award-winning judge and set to music by New York-area musicians. Click here for rules and more details.


When I Missed the Boat

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Sometimes even the biggest music fans miss the boat on important albums and artists. On today's show, music critic Ann Powers explains how prejudice, second-guessing and downright obliviousness has caused her to miss some great music. And we take your calls.

Also: Juilliard-trained pianist Andy Russo joins us to share "Mix Tape," a collection of 14 classical arrangements of nuggets by Billy Joel, James Blunt, the B-52's, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, and countless others.

Enter Soundcheck’s songwriting contest! Your lyrics could be selected by our Grammy Award-winning judge and set to music by New York-area musicians. Click here for rules and more details.


Metallica: Righteous or Irrelevant?

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Fans of the band Metallica are divided over the veteran heavy metal group's new album. Some call the thrash-fest a return to form. Others say it's just a trip down memory lane. In another Soundcheck Smackdown, we debate "Death Magnetic." Also: the British singer-songwriter Johnny Flynn performs live in our studio.

Enter Soundcheck’s songwriting contest! Your lyrics could be selected by our Grammy Award-winning judge and set to music by New York-area musicians. Click here for rules and more details.


Genre-bending Cover Songs

Monday, September 15, 2008

Cover songs are increasingly blurring borders. Indie rockers are doing teen hits, bookish singer-songwriters covering R&B Casanovas, lounge singers covering heavy metal. Even the occasional celebrity gets into the fray (pictured). On today's show: behind the latest trends in cross-genre cover songs. Also: Live music from one of England's brightest young troubadours, the Mercury Prize-nominated singer-songwriter Laura Marling.

Enter Soundcheck’s songwriting contest! Your lyrics could be selected by our Grammy Award-winning judge and set to music by New York-area musicians. Click here for rules and more details.


Living Single in the Album World

Friday, September 12, 2008

Chart-topping R&B star Estelle recently had a hit single on her hands -- until her label suddenly pulled it from Apple’s iTunes store. We’ll find out how the move was designed to get fans to buy more albums. Also: Juliana Hatfield. A familiar face from the female rock explosion of the 1990s, Hatfield shares her new memoir and new album, and she performs live.

Enter Soundcheck’s songwriting contest! Your lyrics could be selected by our Grammy Award-winning judge and set to music by New York-area musicians. Click here for rules and more details.


On the Road Again

Thursday, September 11, 2008

American culture has produced the riches of gospel, bluegrass, and folk music; it has also spawned Cracker Barrel, Clear Channel and Wal-Mart. On today's show, music journalist and author Amanda Petrusich talks about hitting the road to find true Americana. Also: In the 50s, pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal was a formative influence on Miles Davis. He has since become widely acknowledged in his own right. He joins us to talk about his latest album, "It’s Magic."

Enter Soundcheck’s songwriting contest! Your lyrics could be selected by our Grammy Award-winning judge and set to music by New York-area musicians. Click here for rules and more details.


Three Towns Bid for Hip-Hop Crown

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Atlanta, Chicago and New Orleans each have very distinctive hip-hop scenes. We’ll find out how these three cities are shaping the future of the genre. Also: Karim Wasfi, cellist and director of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra, and Allegra Klein, an American violinist who has worked in Iraq, talk about performing amid the chaos of war. And: our CD picks of the week.

Enter Soundcheck’s songwriting contest! Your lyrics could be selected by our Grammy Award-winning judge and set to music by New York-area musicians. Click here for rules and more details.


Want a job in the music industry? Think again.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

In a recent poll, 20 percent of those surveyed said that they would trade their jobs for a gig in the music business. But album sales are declining and a saggy economy doesn't bode well for would-be rock stars. Today: A Soundcheck Smackdown debate over the risks and rewards of a music career. Also: the Washington-born, Zimbabwe-raised singer and mbira player known as Chiwoniso shares her new album, "Rebel Woman."

Enter Soundcheck’s songwriting contest! Your lyrics could be selected by our Grammy Award-winning judge and set to music by New York-area musicians. Click here for rules and more details.


Ready, Set ... Go Write a Song!

Monday, September 08, 2008

Join Soundcheck for the launch of our first-ever songwriting contest. Find out how your lyrics could be picked by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Jesse Harris and set to music by the Brooklyn-based group One Ring Zero. And later, a double-feature of rising stars in our studio. Tune in for live performances from singer-songwriter Sonya Kitchell and jazz pianist Aaron Parks.


A Brit-Pop Favorite Returns

Friday, September 05, 2008

The British rock band Oasis hit it big in the '90s with hits like "Wonderwall" and "Champagne Supernova." On today's show: a report on the group's bid for a comeback. And, we delve into the mystery surrounding a psychedelic soul artist known as Rodriguez. Finally: This month, San Francisco Opera unveils "The Bonesetter's Daughter," Stewart Wallace and Amy Tan's adaptation of Tan's haunting novel of the same title. They give us a preview.


YouTube and Music Lessons

Thursday, September 04, 2008

The video-sharing site YouTube is a reliable source of homemade comedy, political manifestos and quirky confessionals. It could also put some music teachers out of a job. Today we examine the pros and cons of music lessons offered through the popular online destination. Plus: folk icon Joan Baez talks about "Day After Tomorrow," her first studio album in five years.


Where are today's Cultural Dissidents?

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

In the past month, Russian conductor Valery Gergiev endorsed Moscow's military actions in Georgia. Meanwhile, China's top musicians performed at the Beijing Olympics. On today's show: what happens when musicians support authoritarian governments -- and where the dissidents have all gone. Also: Mexican-American singer-songwriter Lila Downs continues to honor the rich musical heritage of her homeland on her new album, "Shake Away." She shares it with us today.


Behind the Twin Cities Music Scene

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

The Republican Party faithful are gathering in St. Paul, Minn., to crown John McCain as their presidential nominee. But amid all the hoopla at the Xcel Energy Center, the GOP might miss out on the Twin Cities’ rich music scene. DJ Mark Wheat of Minnesota Public Radio’s eclectic music station, The Current, joins us with an overview of local sounds from Minneapolis and St. Paul. Plus: choreographer Bill T. Jones takes us inside his musical about Nigerian bandleader and Afrobeat godfather Fela Kuti.


On Sonic Youth and Sonic Acoustics

Monday, September 01, 2008

In his book "Goodbye 20th Century," author David Browne tells the story of the band Sonic Youth. He shows how the group has brought "fringe" art to the mainstream, influencing experimental music, conceptual art, contemporary classical music and even fashion. He joins us to examine their legacy and resilience. Also: veteran producer and musician T Bone Burnett talks about embracing sound formats he says are superior to MP3s and CDs. This is a repeat edition of Soundcheck.