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November 2008

Ry Observations

Friday, November 28, 2008

Virtuosic guitarist and Buena Vista Social Club booster Ry Cooder talks about the oddball drag-racers at the heart of a project called "I, Flathead." Later: a look at rise of classical and world music in video games. This is a repeat broadcast.


The American Psyche in Song

Thursday, November 27, 2008

You don't have to be a country music buff to appreciate the genre's winding tales of drinking, cheating, death and God. Dana Jennings talks about his new book, "Sing Me Back Home: Love, Death and Country Music." Then: Jeffrey Lewis revisits the songs of a punk-rock original with an in-studio performance. This is an encore edition of Soundcheck.


Mangled Lyrics That Won't Go Away

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Three decades after this notoriously mangled song lyric become fodder for rock fans, Webster's Dictionary recently put a name to the phenomenon – mondegreens. Washington Post reporter Paul Farhi explains how a misheard lyric (such as Jimi Hendrix's "'Scuse me, while I kiss the sky") is a window into the psyche of the listener. Plus: Stephen Coates joins us to talk about his one-man band, The Real Tuesday Weld, and his latest album. This is a repeat edition of Soundcheck.


Chinese Democracy

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

The new Guns 'n' Roses album "Chinese Democracy" is finally seeing the light of day, 17 years after the band first started work on it. In another Soundcheck Smackdown, music critics and listeners debate whether it was worth the wait. Plus: a look inside Tra La La Blip, an electronic collective of intellectually and physically disabled musicians.


Before You Die, Listen to This Critic's Big Plan

Monday, November 24, 2008

A new book lists the thousand best albums across all musical genres -- from Metallica to Wagner, Britney to Brubeck. On today's show, Tom Moon, author of 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die, shares his starter list. Also: The classical music world has been inundated with first-class violinists in their 20s jostling for attention. Lately, the German violinist Julia Fischer has risen to the front of the pack, just signing a deal with Decca last week. She joins us with a live performance.


The Soul of British Soul

Friday, November 21, 2008

British soul divas like Amy Winehouse and Duffy owe a big debt to a '60s icon with a breathy voice and a beehive wig. Today: the story of singer Dusty Springfield. Later: folk-rock artist Ani DiFranco performs songs from her new album "Red Letter Year" live in our studio.

Psssst: Want to be a guinea pig in a Soundcheck experiment? Click here.


Freedom on the March

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Nearly a dozen marching bands will invade Manhattan next week for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Today: a look at the music, culture and tradition of a uniquely American tradition. Later: violinist Anne Akiko Meyers shares her pick for Soundcheck's Noteworthy New York map. And, John Relyea talks about his role in the Metropolitan Opera's production of "La Damnation de Faust." Plus: our CD Picks of the Week.

Psssst: Want to be a guinea pig in a Soundcheck experiment? Click here.


Pop Macabre

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

When it comes to popular song lyrics, love and sex seem to reign supreme. But one less likely -- and decidedly less flowery -- topic is also up there in the ranks: death. Today: author Graeme Thomson talks about the morbid avenues popular songwriters have explored. Plus: Sheila Jordan celebrates her 80th birthday on Soundcheck, and talks about her new album.


iTunes: Savior or Destroyer?

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

It's official: iTunes is America's top music retailer. But critics say Apple's online music store compromises quality for convenience. In another Soundcheck Smackdown, we debate the pros and cons of iTunes. Plus: The Brooklyn-based duo Department of Eagles joins us for a live set from their sophomore record, "In Ear Park."


How The Beatles Started a Revolution

Monday, November 17, 2008

It's been 40 years since the Beatles released their eclectic masterpiece "The White Album." Today: a look at the album’s lasting influence. Plus: Beatle biographer Philip Norman shares his ambitious, wide-ranging new book John Lennon: The Life.


Five Decades of 'Q'

Friday, November 14, 2008

Quincy Jones has won 27 Grammys and scored more than 30 films. But to many, he’ll always be the mastermind behind Michael Jackson’s "Thriller." Today on the show, Jones looks back at 50 years in the entertainment industry. Later, we hear from another renaissance man. Singer, author, performer and punk godfather Henry Rollins talks about diving into international politics for his documentary series, "Uncut."


Naming the 500 Greatest Songs

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Pitchfork Media, the web site run by and for indie-rock obsessives, has just released a book naming the 500 greatest songs from punk to the present. On today's show: find out what songs made the cut, in rock, punk, hip-hop, and more. Also: Cellist Matt Haimovitz shares his latest project with pianist Geoffrey Burleson and performs live in our studio.


God and Gospel Music

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Gospel music is rooted in the church, but the genre has a broad appeal for artists who aren't necessarily believers. But can one separate the sound from the message? Today we find out if traditionalists take issue with appropriations of gospel in the music of Kanye West, Van Morrison, and others. Later: The Calder Quartet is a string quartet on the rise. The group joins us before their “Wordless Music” series performance with rocker Andrew W.K.


Mix Tapes as the Ultimate Love Letters

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

In the age of MP3s and burned CDs, the mixtape is a lost art form. Yet for people of a certain generation, cassette mix tapes were the ultimate audio valentines. They could both spark and end a relationship. On today's show, a look at a new web site that lets you revisit those old mix tapes. Also: Rosanne Cash and Mark O'Connor join us to talk about their new collaboration of original songs and instrumentals inspired by the music of Cash's beloved father, Johnny Cash.


Story of a Soldier's Anthem

Monday, November 10, 2008

During World War II, a song about a young woman longing for her sweetheart was popular with German soldiers as well as the Allies. On the eve of Veterans' Day, we look back at an unusual crossover hit, "Lili Marlene." Plus: New York-based singer-songwriter Alfonso Velez performs live.


The Election Effect ... In Pop Music

Friday, November 07, 2008

As America voted for change Tuesday, the old-time metal-rockers AC/DC were hanging on to the top spot on the Billboard albums chart for a second week. Right on their heels were albums by Pink and John Legend. On today's show: what this week's top-selling albums do - and don't - say about the national mood. Also: Canadian singer and songwriter Kathleen Edwards is performing a special acoustic show with John Doe of the legendary punk outfit X. The pair join us to talk about this unusual collaboration.


Tale of the Trumpet

Thursday, November 06, 2008

With origins in ancient Egypt, the trumpet has evolved from a battlefield tool to an exalted place in the jazz world. Today: how the trumpet has shaped music, royalty and even sexuality. And later, composer Douglas J. Cuomo talks about the conflict between emotional and spiritual desire in his new opera-oratorio, "Arjuna's Dilemma." Plus: our CD Picks of the Week.


What's in an Arts Leader?

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

As Barack Obama prepares his White House transition team, today we look at what makes a great arts leader. A trio of experts weighs in, including New York Times music critic Jon Pareles, Manhattan School of Music president and composer Robert Sirota, and Joan Jeffri, director of the Program in Arts Administration at Columbia's Teachers College. Also: Alan Gilbert, the New York Philharmonic's music-director-in-waiting, talks about the unique leadership challenges in a changing climate for American orchestras.


Your Democracy Song

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

It's easy to spot democracy at the polls on Election Day. But today on Soundcheck, you might also find it in the lyrics of Woody Guthrie, Sly Stone or Leonard Cohen. We look at songs that capture the spirit of Democracy, as suggested by Soundcheck listeners here. Plus, guests from red and blue states share their picks. Later: Israeli composer and trumpet player Avishai Cohen explores themes of water and light in new projects. He performs live in our studio.

Your Democracy Song: weigh in with a song that exemplifies democracy.


The Search for Folk: Then and Now

Monday, November 03, 2008

Folkways Records founder Moses Asch brought folk music from around the world to American living rooms. Today, we hear about Asch's legacy and those continuing his quest for folk sounds. And: a look at a new collection called "Of Great and Mortal Men: 43 Songs for 43 US Presidencies." (And we ask the songwriters what they have in store for their 44th song.)

Tell us: What's your "democracy song?"