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The Story of Scott Walker

A session bassist who hit it big with the ’60s teen-idol act The Walker Brothers, Scott Walker recorded dark and brooding solo albums that rival those of Leonard Cohen or Nick Cave. His most recent album is the disturbing, but critically lauded The Drift. The reclusive artist is the subject of the documentary “Scott Walker: 30 Century Man,” which opens Dec. 17 in New York. The film’s director, Stephen Kijak, and music writer Graeme Thomson talk about the one of the most unusual and compelling songwriters of the past 40 years.

Soundcheck blog: When pop singers turn their backs on pop

Trailer: Scott Walker: 30 Century Man
More about Graeme Thomson

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Soundcheck's CD Picks of the Week

Lou Reed: Berlin, Live At St. Ann’s Warehouse

In 1972, Lou Reed struck gold with his album Transformer. In 1973, his followup was a moody, almost schizophrenic effort called Berlin. And it was met with general incomprehension. But for those of us who actually loved that album back in the 70s, it was gratifying to see that the concert event of 2006 was an all-star cast performing Berlin in its entirety at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn. Now, that concert is available on film and on a new CD, featuring Antony of Antony and the Johnsons, Sharon Jones, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, and of course, the man himself. -- Picked by John Schaefer

Frightened Rabbit, The Midnight Organ Fight (Fat Cat Records)

Our next pick of the week is the latest in that time-honored pop music tradition … yes, I’m talking about “the breakup album.” Thirty years ago, Bob Dylan set the standard with “Blood on the Tracks.” And just last week, Kanye West topped the charts with his new “808s and Heartbreak.” Now comes the Scottish band Frightened Rabbit, straight outta Glasgow … and straight outta’ a relationship, apparently. Frontman Scott Hutchison pours out his heart on the new album, “The Midnight Organ Fight.” And unlike the breakup, it sounds pretty great. — picked by Joel Meyer

Saint-Saens: Complete Works for Cello and Orchestra, Johannes Moser, cello; Southwest German Radio Symphony-Stuttgart, Fabrice Bollon, conductor (SWR/Hanssler)

Camille Saint-Saens was a pianist and organist by trade but he wrote some incredibly stunning pieces for cello. On a new recording, the 29-year-old German cellist Johannes Moser gives these pieces their full due. They include two lush, ultra-Romantic cello concertos and a handful of shorter works. The disc’s real find is the very melodic Suite for Cello and Orchestra in D minor. Listen to this cut from the opening Sérénade. -- picked by Brian Wise

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Anna Netrebko

Since debuting at the Metropolitan Opera in 2002, Russian-born soprano Anna Netrebko has become one of opera's most-watched talents. Named Musical America's 2008 Musician of the Year, she also recently became a mother. She joins us to talk about balancing a high-powered career with motherhood, and about “Souvenirs,” a new album of light operatic and song repertoire.

Anna Netrebko's web site

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