wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

On Demand

Program Schedule

Topics

Soundcheck Archive


June 2009

When Sharing Music Comes With a Cost

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The recording industry has brought more than 35,000 lawsuits against people who illegally download songs. But online music sharing continues to flourish. On today's show, Greg Kot, author of Ripped: How the Wired Generation Revolutionized Music, tells guest host Terrance McKnight how the Internet is empowering musicians and their fans. Also: Tiempo Libre, a Miami-based Cuban timba band, shares its unique take on the music of J.S. Bach.


Behind the Music

Monday, June 29, 2009

David Bowie and T. Rex made rock history. Tony Visconti made them sound great. On today's show, the famed record producer, bassist and Brooklyn native discusses his life in music, as detailed in his recent memoir Bowie, Bolan and the Brooklyn Boy. Also: The young singer Leela James mixes vintage soul sounds with modern hip-hop and R&B. She performs in our studio. This is an encore edition of Soundcheck.


Remembering the King of Pop

Friday, June 26, 2009

Michael Jackson was a dazzling singer, iconic dancer, and regular tabloid fixture. He sold 750 million albums, including the best-selling record of all time, and established milestones for fashion, music videos, and celebrity culture. Today: the epic career of Michael Jackson, dead at 50.


The Journey of Yusuf Islam

Thursday, June 25, 2009

The artist once known as Cat Stevens sold over 60 million albums worldwide. Then he converted to Islam and disappeared from the pop world. Today: Yusuf Islam talks about his faith -- and his return to music. Also: Chicago instrumental-rock powerhouse Tortoise performs in our studio.


Another Side of Iggy

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Punk icon Iggy Pop has fronted The Stooges and collaborated with David Bowie. He’s also risked life and limb more often than a Hollywood stuntman. Today, Pop talks about how a French novel inspired his new album. Plus: Elizabeth and the Catapult play live in the studio.


Play Ball...and Beyoncé

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Once upon a time, organ music filled the air at baseball games. Now, ballparks pump out non-stop sound effects, sports anthems, and the latest pop hits. As Yankees and Mets fans gear up for this weekend's subway series, join us for a Soundcheck Smackdown debate on music in ballparks. Plus: Juilliard-trained violinist Christina Courtin performs live in our studio.


Music and Emotions

Monday, June 22, 2009

Musicians may be more in touch with human emotions than the average person. Today: a new study that links musical training with heightened emotional sensitivity. Plus: guitarist Sylvain Sylvain talks about the second wind of glam-trash pioneers The New York Dolls.


Predicting the Song of the Summer

Friday, June 19, 2009

Every summer there's one hit song that comes to define those warm, carefree, and sunshiny months. As Sunday marks the official start of summer, Soundcheck looks at contenders for this year's summer jam. Contenders range from The Black-Eyed Peas to indie-rockers Animal Collective. Also: indie-pop singer and downtown scene-queen Regina Spektor plays live in our studio.


Government and the Arts

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Today we look at President Obama's cultural team and the future of arts funding. Find out what the President’s appointees will bring to the national endowments for the arts and the humanities. Also: Brazilian guitarist Guilherme Monteiro plays live in our studio.


An Alternative History of Popular Music

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

How The Beatles Destroyed Rock And Roll is a new book that offers an alternate history of American popular music. Author Elijah Wald joins us to explain the provocative title and give his perspective on American pop history. Plus: Sultry violinist Lara St. John performs Bach and a Czardas Caprice live in our studio.


Kids in the Concert Hall

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Opera houses and concert halls are offering free tickets and special programs for teens and 'tweens. But not everyone thinks classical music needs a young audience. Join us for a Soundcheck Smackdown debate. Also: artist John Kelly is back with a tribute to Joni Mitchell. He plays live in our studio.


With This Music, I Thee Wed

Monday, June 15, 2009

Just in time for summer nuptials, we look at changing sound of wedding music. Plus: a music writer (and bride-to-be) joins us to share her experience picking a first dance song. Also: Ari Hoenig has been described by Jazz Times magazine as "one of the most maniacally obsessive, spasmodic and musical drummers in jazz." He performs live in our studio.


The Universal Mystery of Music

Friday, June 12, 2009

One person's spoken language might sound like gibberish to another. But when it comes to music, humans beat to a common evolutionary drum. Today, we explore why music is the universal language as we're joined by neuroscientist Jamshed Bharucha and psychologist Laura-Lee Balkwill. Also: Bronx-native and hip-hop and funk artist Stephanie McKay performs live in our studio. Plus: our picks of the week.


The State of Music Videos

Thursday, June 11, 2009

In our second broadcast from the new Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, we debate the state of the art of music videos. And, we launch our music video contest. Make your own video using a brand-new song! Plus: The Decemberists perform songs from "The Hazards of Love," their ambitious hour-long, 17-track rock opera.

Watch video of today's broadcast


Gateway Albums

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

A best-of Bob Marley collection called "Legend" continues to convert passing fans into reggae enthusiasts. Today: gateway albums of all genres that compel listeners to dig deeper, with singer-songwriter Andrew Bird and journalist Michael Azerrad. Also: alternative-rock godfather Robyn Hitchcock and his band perform live in our studio.

Plus: We reveal our special guests for tomorrow's live broadcast from WNYC's Jerome L. Greene Performance Space. Tune in tomorrow, June 10, for a live set from ... The Decemberists! More info here. Please note: Tickets are no longer available for this event.


When the Theater becomes your Living Room

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Growing numbers of audiences are acting out in theaters and concert halls -- texting friends, eating fast food or taking off their shoes. Today: a Soundcheck Smackdown debate on whether the theater has grown too casual. Also: the genre-bending Sweet Plantain String Quartet perform live in our studio.


The Death of the Car Song

Monday, June 08, 2009

In its heyday, General Motors inspired some of the greatest songs in pop - from GTO to Little Red Corvette to Pink Cadillac. Now that GM’s declared bankruptcy we celebrate the best of these and ask: do we still need cars to sing about? Also: low-fi indie folk of The Wailing Wall.

A footnote: "Billy Elliot" might not be the favorite among Soundcheck listeners, but it danced away with 10 Tony Awards last night, including best musical. The champion of our poll was "Rock of Ages," which didn't win a single Tony. Hair got a Tony for Best Revival of a Musical, as predicted by Soundcheck listeners. View the results of our Tony Poll.


Songs fit for a Prince

Friday, June 05, 2009

Twenty-five years ago, eccentric superstar Prince created what many consider to be the greatest pop film soundtrack of all time. As we hear today, it influenced not only music, but fashion and censorship. Also: Senegalese super star Youssou N'Dour is an undisputed giant of world music. He talks about his music and life, as documented in the new film "Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love."

Poll! The Tony Awards are Sunday. Weigh in on this year's best musicals by voting in our Soundcheck Poll.


The Bombast and the Furious

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Broadway just finished a record season in ticket sales. But artistically, all may not be well. We’re joined by a New York theater critic who thinks the year’s biggest musicals were loud, bombastic and visually assaulting. And: The band Art Brut burst on the indie scene in 2005 with an album of half-spoken stories and manic, melodic punk. They join us for a live performance.

Poll! The Tony Awards are Sunday. Weigh in on this year's best musicals by voting in our Soundcheck Poll.


Moby's Next Chapter

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Moby has sold over 15 million records in a two-decade career that spans punk, electronica, disco and DJ culture. He joins us to play songs from his new album, Wait for Me. And: Femi Kuti started playing music in the band led by his father, the late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. He joins us to share his first album in seven years, Day By Day.

Poll! The Tony Awards are Sunday. Weigh in on this year's best musicals by voting in our Soundcheck Poll.


Battle of the Runner-Ups

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Reality TV shows like "American Idol" and "Britain's Got Talent" have produced plenty of stars – and many of them didn't become famous by winning the top prize. In this week's Soundcheck Smackdown, it's a battle of runner-up pop sensations: "Britain's" Susan Boyle vs. "Idol's" Adam Lambert. Also: the trio Whitetree brings its electroacoustic compositions to our studio.


From a Cat to a 'Roadsinger'

Monday, June 01, 2009

The man once known as Cat Stevens has resumed his musical journey as Yusuf Islam. The singer-songwriter, who dropped out of the pop world in 1977, joins us to talk about his return to music, his Muslim faith, and his latest album. Later: singer Ute Lemper is known for smoldering versions of gems from Weimar-era Germany. She shares her first album of original songs.