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MySpace Music: iTunes killer or MyMess?
MySpace Music, the new online music service from MySpace.com, lets you stream millions of songs for free, share playlists, and download MP3s. But critics complain that the site is hopelessly cluttered and that independent labels are being shut out. Today: a Soundcheck Smackdown on the merits of MySpace Music. Also: 23-year-old bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding is bringing a fresh approach to the sometimes stodgy world of jazz vocalists, mixing the traditions of soul, pop, world music and more. She performs live in our studio.
The MySpace Debate
The popular social networking website has always been a place for small bands to reach out to fans and in many cases, achieve success. But the website is now owned by Ruphert Murdoch and when it launched its online music store last month it left the indies out. In the first of a four-smackdown series on music buying, we'll debate MySpace. Joining us is Erick Schonfeld, co-editor of Techcrunch.com, and Farhad Manjoo, technology columnist of Slate.com.
Soundcheck Blog: John Schaefer on MySpace
Next up in the series: iTunes, Wal-Mart, and then the iPod versus Zune.
MySpace Music
Farhad Manjoo on MySpace
TechCrunch's coverage of MySpace music
Esperanza Spalding
Jazz bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding has always been precocious. She started playing the club scene Portland, Ore., as a teenager. When she was 20, she became the youngest faculty member ever at Berklee College of Music in Boston. And now at 23, after playing with jazz giants like Herbie Hancock and Pat Metheny, she is releasing an album in three languages. She joins us with a live performance.
Esperanza Spalding is playing at the Highline Ballroom tomorrow night. The show starts at 8 p.m.
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Join us Tuesday, Nov. 10 at The Greene Space
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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