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April 2009

Horses, Jockeys and Playlists

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The 135th running of the Kentucky Derby is this Saturday. We look beyond the song "Camptown Races" and into the rich musical history of horse racing. Also: Montreal chamber-pop band Bell Orchestre joins us to perform live.


Downtown: World in a Word

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

For decades, the term "downtown" described the experimentalism of music, art and culture in lower Manhattan. Today: we explore how that shorthand definition is changing in a live broadcast from WNYC's Jerome L. Greene Performance Space. Guests include rocker Lou Reed, indie new-wave artist Santigold and string quartet Ethel. And, tell us how you define downtown -- with a single word.


Subterranean Homesick Smackdown

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Bob Dylan changed folk music, the Beatles and the art of American songwriting. But his legendary persona is undermined by an erratic and confusing recording career. As Bob Dylan releases his 33rd studio album today, we debate his music and influence. Also: Wendy & Lisa, the duo most known as part of Prince and The Revolution.


Café Society

Monday, April 27, 2009

The Greenwich Village hot spot Café Society was an integrated nightclub frequented by regulars like Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan. Today: the story of a groundbreaking jazz venue inspired by Berlin cabarets. Later: Grammy-award winning singer and songwriter Judy Collins.


Band Science

Friday, April 24, 2009

What can the behavior and life cycle of bands teach us about humankind? The social science project Bandthropology is finding out by surveying musicians in their native habitat. Also: Father and son team Jeffrey and Gabriel Kahane perform live in our studio.


A Streetwise Odyssey Set to Beethoven

Thursday, April 23, 2009

In the new film The Soloist, Jamie Foxx plays a mentally ill homeless man who was once a musical prodigy. Today: director Joe Wright talks about bringing the true story to the big screen, and cellist Ben Hong talks about teaching Foxx to play the cello. Also: avante-garde musician Rhys Chatham and artist Robert Longo join us to talk about their performance at the Met Museum.


Living for the Dead

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

With this weekend’s long-anticipated Grateful Dead reunion concerts in New York, we continue our series on "superfans" with an examination of the inner realms of Deadhead culture. Also: Jazz drummer Brian Blade performs live in our studio.


Record Stores: Live or Let Die?

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

More than 1,000 retailers and their loyal customers celebrated record-store culture last week. But music lovers who moved online years ago say physical stores are not worth saving. Today: a Soundcheck Smackdown debate on record stores. Later: Canadian soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian joins us to discuss her unconventional career.


Making It Hard To Forget the Big Easy

Monday, April 20, 2009

The annual New Orleans extravaganza known as Jazzfest kicks off this weekend. Today: how the city's musicians are struggling to stay in the spotlight, four years after Hurricane Katrina put them on the national stage. Later: Grammy winning songwriter Jesse Harris explores classic hooks and Brazilian percussion on his new album. He plays live in our studio.


Music Remastered, Reissued and Revived

Friday, April 17, 2009

Major labels are turning out fresh reissues of classic albums by the Beatles and Rolling Stones. Meanwhile, smaller labels are digging up exciting but forgotten 60's and 70's soul records. Today, we explore the growing market for repackaged and remastered music. Also: the composer and percussionist Lukas Ligeti shares the music of his African-influenced ensemble of musicians and dancers, Burkina Electric.


Sonic Sticker Shock

Thursday, April 16, 2009

iTunes is charging more for brand-new hits and exclusives from artists like Depeche Mode. But in China, music labels are giving millions of songs away for free through Google. Today: disparity in music pricing. Also: pianist Christopher O'Riley is known for classical arrangements of Radiohead and other rock artists. He performs live in our studio.


From Supergroup to Super Blooper

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

When famous musicians form side-projects and supergroups, they're guaranteed lots of attention. But few live up to the hype. Today, the elusive art of the supergroup – from Crosby Stills Nash & Young to the Traveling Wilbury's to Dead Weather, a new group featuring members of three indie-rock bands. Plus: The Indian-fusion group MIDIval PunditZ performs live in our studio.


Fork in the Career

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Neil Young is fired up about fuel-efficient cars. But for some fans, Young's "ripped from the headlines" songwriting is running on empty. Today: a Soundcheck Smackdown debate on Neil Young's new album, "Fork in the Road." Also: South African legend Hugh Masekela.


When Orchestras Make More Than Music

Monday, April 13, 2009

The YouTube Symphony Orchestra debuts this Wednesday at Carnegie Hall. On today's show, we look at inclusive and inspiring orchestras - from an ensemble of Palestinian and Israeli musicians to an orchestra of kids from the slums of Venezuela. Also: Chilean Jazz singer Claudia Acuña.


Rock Nostalgia

Friday, April 10, 2009

Rock dinosaurs of the 1960s, '70s and '80s are the core of hot Broadway musicals and video game properties like Rock Band and Guitar Hero. Today: rock revivalism, the second in a series on music and nostalgia. Plus: Spanish guitarist Diego Barber performs live in our studio.


Amateur Hours

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Karaoke has gone from being a Japanese novelty to worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. On today's show, a look inside the cult of karaoke. Plus: we'll found out where to sing along here in New York. Also on the show: pianist Omar Sosa shares his latest album, "Across the Divide," which looks at a musical legacy of the slavery era.


Anatomy of a Boo

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Opera fans booed a recent production at the Metropolitan Opera, and concertgoers razzed Jessica Simpson when she forgot the lyrics to her songs. Today: the origins of booing, and the role it plays in the music world. Also: singer Howard Tate talks about his return to soul music after a 30-year hiatus.


Jazz Fusion or Confusion?

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Not long ago, it was believed that the heyday of jazz-rock fusion was over. But with updated versions and revivals of the genre making their appearances left and right, jazz purists are complaining that the music is cheesy and commercial while fusion lovers are fighting back with accusations of narrow-mindedness. On today’s Soundcheck Smackdown we debate the merits of this long-controversial genre. Also: Bluegrass fiddle player Sara Watkins performs live in our studio.


The Reset Button

Monday, April 06, 2009

Rock artists like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Chris Cornell are taking new directions on their latest albums. Today: how and why musicians reinvent themselves. Plus: Mexican tenor Rolando Villazon is known as a high-octane performer. He joins us to share his new album of Handel arias.


Grunge Nostalgia

Friday, April 03, 2009

Fifteen years after Kurt Cobain's suicide, grunge is having a comeback in CD reissues, fashion, and even current music. Today, we break out the flannel shirt and combat boots and look back at this early '90s music trend. Also: The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the quintessential traditional New Orleans revival ensemble, joins us with a special live performance.


Bailout Blues

Thursday, April 02, 2009

The economic recession has inspired songs from artists like Neil Young and rapper Jadakiss. Today: how the financial crisis has produced a stimulus for rock, country and hip-hop. Also: the boundary smashing group Balkan Beat Box performs songs from their first remix album.


Why Music is Universal

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

According to recent findings, there may be a scientific basis to the reason Western music has been so readily distributed around the globe. We discuss the study, which demonstrates a universal recognition of music that expresses the emotions of happiness, sadness and fear. Also: musician and poet Lee Ranaldo, co-founder of Sonic Youth, joins us live to discuss his new collaborations with the Bang on a Can All-Stars.