wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Soundcheck

Tuesday, November 11, 2008
  • mixed tapes
    (luluinnyc/flickr)

    Mix Tapes as the Ultimate Love Letters

    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.

The Art of Mix Tapes

On the new web site CassetteFromMyEx.com, essayists dig up mixtapes from old flames and revisit love -- and a recording format -- from a different era. We're joined by the site's creator, Jason Bitner, and one of its contributors, the novelist Fiona Maazel ("Last Last Chance").

CassetteFromMyEx.com

Johnny Cash

Rosanne Cash & Mark O'Connor Live

For her, he was a father. For him, he was a boyhood hero. For the nation, he was an icon. Singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash and composer and violinist Mark O'Connor join us to talk about how Johnny Cash has inspired their musical collaboration. And they will play live.

Rosanne Cash's web site
Mark O'Connor's Web site

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.