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January 2009

It's Not You, It's Your Music

Friday, January 30, 2009

For every couple that bonds over a passion for Puccini, there's another that runs aground because he loves Bach and she loves Beyoncé. Today: When taste in music tears couples apart. Also: Unconventional Malian singer-songwriter Rokia Traoré joins us in the studio for a live performance.


Super Bowl Shuffle

Thursday, January 29, 2009

This year's Super Bowl telecast comes during a tough time in the advertising industry. Find out the role music will play in this year's ads and during the halftime show. Plus: live music from soul-punk outfit Cold War Kids.


Mr. Schuman's Opus

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

William Schuman composed more than 100 works during his lifetime and won the Pulitzer Prize for music. But he still found time to re-shape Lincoln Center and the Juilliard School. Today, we look back at one of the country’s most powerful arts administrators. Also: jazz singer Holly Cole performs live in our studio.


The Battle Over the Boss

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

As cultural icons go, Bruce Springsteen has it all: heaps of hit albums, decades of critical acclaim, and most recently, the ear of a new American president. But skeptics still aren't ready to call him "The Boss." In another Soundcheck Smackdown, we debate Bruce Springsteen’s legacy and his new album, "Working on a Dream." Also: Duncan Sheik joins us to discuss his foray into musical theater and his new album.


Washington D.C. as Arts Mecca?

Monday, January 26, 2009

Today: we kick off the first in an occasional series called "The Culture of Change: Obama's first 100 Days," by looking at Washington, D.C. While sometimes maligned as being a little straight-laced, that may change as the Obama administration makes its mark on the arts and culture there. We find out what may change and what may stay the same. Also: New York-born and London-raised singer-songwriter Leona Naess shares her ethereal pop-folk songs.


How to Learn an Instrument as an Adult

Friday, January 23, 2009

The French horn and a mid-life crisis collide in a new book. Today: author Jasper Rees talks about his year-long quest to master the orchestra's most difficult instrument. Also: mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe takes us inside the role of Orfeo in the Metropolitan Opera's new production of Gluck's operatic masterpiece "Orfeo ed Euridice." Plus: pre-recorded music in a performance at the Obama inauguration


Three Chords and a Laugh

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Subversive humor plays a big role in the history of pop music – from Chuck Berry and Bob Dylan to the Talking Heads and Nirvana. Today: how rockers use wit and satire as weapons of defiance. Also: Luke Temple is a musician from Brooklyn who is the founder of Here We Go Magic, a one man project that prides itself in layered sound and homemade vibes. He joins us for a live performance in the studio.


A Secretary of the Arts for America?

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

When music impresario Quincy Jones appeared on Soundcheck in December, he said the first thing he would do is “beg” President Obama to establish a cabinet-level position for the arts. Today, we revisit that conversation with a debate on whether a “secretary for the arts” is really a good idea. Joining us are former National Endowment for the Humanities head William Ferris and Reason magazine columnist Ronald Bailey. Plus: Violinist/indie-rocker Andrew Bird performs live.


Inauguration: The Reprise

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Today, Soundcheck looks at the Obama inauguration through the lens of music. We’ll have a series of reports on the day’s musical performances, which include classical, gospel, choral and even marching band music. We talk with pianist Gabriela Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill, who are performing a new piece by John Williams in the ceremony. And we get a review from Washington Post classical music critic Anne Midgette. Plus: analysis of the events of the day from WNYC hosts and reporters.


The Preacher's Cadence

Monday, January 19, 2009

Martin Luther King's charismatic cadence prompted John Coltrane to write the song "Alabama," a piece based on the legendary leader's voice. The jazz icon isn't the only musician to be inspired by Dr. King. Today on the show, we look at how Martin Luther King's speeches inspired musical tributes by Coltrane, Mahalia Jackson, Sweet Honey in the Rock and others. Poet and musician Carl Hancock Rux joins us to explore some examples. Also: Singer-songwriter Eisa Davis


The British Invasion, Examined

Friday, January 16, 2009

A country at war. Economic dire straits. An oil crisis. Sound familiar? Find out how today’s headlines parallel the conditions that helped create British pop music in the 1950s and ‘60s. Ethnomusicologist Gordon Thompson of Skidmore College joins us to talk about his book “Please Please Me: Sixties British Pop, Inside and Out.” Also: Elizabeth Pitcairn joins us to perform on her Red Violin, the Stradivarius famed for its dazzling sound and mysterious history and the inspiration for Francois Girard's film The Red Violin.


The Financial Crisis and the Arts

Thursday, January 15, 2009

The woes of Wall Street have affected the banking sector, the auto industry, and now their starting to influence the arts. The financial pinch led to a leadership shakeup at New York City Opera. We talk with George Steel, who was yesterday named City Opera's next general manager and artistic director. Later, we find out how the economic crunch is affecting orchestras and individual musicians. Also: Scottish indie band Frightened Rabbit join us to perform music from their recently-released acclaimed album “The Midnight Organ Fight” live in our studio.


The Backwards Life of Lefties

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

For left-handers, it’s an unforgiving world filled with awkwardly-shaped scissors, computer mouses, notebooks and even Metro Card swipers. Today we find out how left-handed musicians work -- and thrive -- in a right-handed world. Also: Californian indie rock band Airborne Toxic Event joins us to discuss their recently-released album and to perform live.


Motown and Stax Records: A Legacy of Soul

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Motown Records is currently celebrating the half-century mark of its existence, following fellow soul hotbed Stax Records’s own anniversary last year. Today, we take on the two catalysts of America’s soul explosion in the 1960’s and their contribution to contemporary culture - which was more influential? Also: Operatic mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato joins us live in the studio to discuss her thriving career and her newest CD release of angry arias.


How Musicians went from Servants to Stars

Monday, January 12, 2009

Cambridge University historian Tim Blanning explores the rise of music and musicians in the West from lowly balladeers to masters employed by fickle patrons, to the great composers of genius, to today’s rock stars. He joins us today. Also: Musical chameleon Bonnie "Prince" Billy performs live in our studio.


Roots of Afropop

Friday, January 09, 2009

The musical phenomenon known as "Afropop" was pioneered in the 1950s with a guitarist and singer named Franco. Today: the remarkable tale of a Congolese musician and the rise of African pop music. And later: the music of Raul Midón draws on jazz and folk to a cappella and Latin influences. The New Mexico-born singer songwriter joins us for a live performance.


The Sound of Things To Come

Thursday, January 08, 2009

With the new year comes a slew of new albums. Join us for a look at what's on tap in pop and classical for 2009. And later: Prolific songwriter Calypso Rose has earned a reputation as the grand dame of calypso. She joins us for a live performance.


Appetite for Self-Destruction

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

2008 was another bleak year for record labels, but their problems began years earlier. On today's show: A look at the secret deals, corporate backbiting and poor decision making that led to the decline of the record industry. Also: Tenor saxophonist Tim Ries joins us to talk about interpreting the Rolling Stones in the Jazz idiom and performs live.


Soundcheck Smackdown: The Rise of Kiddie Rock

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

They Might Be Giants and Dan Zanes have turned kid’s music into a booming business. While some grownup listeners love these juice-box heroes others would like to toss their music into the diaper pail. On today’s Soundcheck Smackdown: a debate on kids music. Plus: live music from local folk-rocker Pepi Ginsberg.


Rescue Plan for the Arts

Monday, January 05, 2009

Kennedy Center president Michael Kaiser specializes in reviving arts organizations. He joins us to share his new book, "The Art of the Turnaround," and to talk about his new role with New York City Opera. Plus: Danish bassist Anne Mette Iversen and her jazz quartet perform live in our studio.


Bad Vibrations

Friday, January 02, 2009

The musical technique known as vibrato was banned by a conductor at this year's BBC Proms, England's premier music festival. Today, we look at whether vibrato shapes -- or taints -- music, from jazz to opera. Also: quirky New York-based septet Spottiswoode & His Enemies join us for a performance in our studio. This is an encore edition of Soundcheck.


The Mighty Sound of Lead Belly

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Louisiana bluesman Lead Belly is known for songs like "Midnight Special" and "Goodnight, Irene." The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee is also known for the time he spent in prison. Today: we explore Lead Belly's influence on artists from Jimi Hendrix to Kurt Cobain. Also: trumpeter and two-time Grammy winner Roy Hargrove joins us to share his soulful blend of jazz and Latin styles. This is an encore presentation of Soundcheck.