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Soundcheck

Friday, November 21, 2008
  • Dust Springfield book jacket
    "Dusty: Queen of the Postmods"

    The Soul of British Soul

    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.

The Ballad of Dusty Springfield

Way before Amy Winehouse, singer Dusty Springfield was the first British soloist to break into the US top ten charts with her 1964 hit, "I Only Want To Be With You." Annie Randall, musicologist and author of "Dusty!: Queen of the Postmods," talks about how the former convent school girl became the "White Queen of Soul.”

Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on Dusty Springfield, "blue-eyed soul," and race

"Dusty: Queen of the Postmods" on Amazon.com

Anni

Ani DiFranco

Singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco’s music has been like a diary for the past 18 years, covering everything from love to politics to philosophy.

She joins us to play live songs from her new album, "Red Letter Year," which tackles hot-button issues like nuclear power but also features personal confessions.Ani DiFranco performs tonight and tomorrow night at Town Hall on West 43rd St. Doors open both nights at 8.

Soundcheck Blog: Watch video of Ani DiFranco performing in the Soundcheck studio

Ani DiFranco on MySpace

Best Live Performances of 2008

Soundcheck

We revisit memorable in-studio performances from Toumani Diabaté, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, and others.

The Year in Music and Branding

Soundcheck

Pop music and advertising go together like peanut butter and jelly. Grey Group music director Josh Rabinowitz shares his picks for the best song picks and ad campaigns of 2008.

Critics Week

Soundcheck

Music writers look back at the year's best pop, rock, hip hop, classical, jazz, Latin and world albums. Plus: the worst music of the year and the best online music. Read our critics' lists here. And don't forget to cast your vote in our best-albums poll.

Noteworthy New York

Soundcheck

We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.