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July 2009

Infidelity: Bad for Politics, Great for Music

Friday, July 10, 2009

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford is the latest politician to wind up in trouble over an extra-marital affair. But cheating has also inspired some of the greatest lyrics ever. Today: the sound of high infidelity in pop, opera, soul, and more. Later: The Choir of Christ's College, Cambridge performs live in our studio.


The Supreme Saga

Thursday, July 09, 2009

The Supremes were the biggest girl-group of all time. But behind the chart-topping hits were bruised egos, betrayals and scandalous affairs. Today, we ask Mark Ribowsky, the author of a new book on The Supremes about their tumultuous career through Motown. Also: Hasidic reggae pioneer Matisyahu joins us and performs live in our studio.


The Legacy of Marian Anderson

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

African American opera singer Marian Anderson made history 70 years ago when she sang on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Today: opera star Denyce Graves and author Raymond Arsenault join us for a look at the civil rights icon. Plus: live music from Venezuelan funk-rock band Los Amigos Invisibles.


The Future for Music Magazines

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

The Hip-hop and R&B magazine Vibe folded last week. It follows the death of such publications as Blender, No Depression and Jazz Times, among others. This week's Soundcheck Smackdown debate asks whether serious music writing is disappearing - or if print media is becoming a dinosaur in a multimedia world. Also: NYC-band Stellastar* share their new album Civilized live in our studio.


Running: The Remix

Monday, July 06, 2009

Summer is the high point of the year for runners. It's also the peak season for marathon training. Today: a look at playlists and podcasts designed to help runners keep pace with training programs.


The Album That Changed Your Life

Friday, July 03, 2009

Nirvana inspired thousands of teenagers to pick up a guitar, but the band's music might have sounded very different if frontman Kurt Cobain had never picked up a Beatles album. Today: listeners and music critics tell us how one album changed their lives. Plus: the rock-powered jazz trio The New Standards performs in our studio. This is a repeat broadcast.


Rock Photography in the iPhone Age

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Music fans are revolutionizing photography with digital cameras, iPhones and other devices. On today's show, we find out what this means for the art of the image when we talk with two professional photographers. Also: Chinese pianist Xiayin Wang, who arrived in New York a decade ago, is among the wealth of piano talent to emerge from that country in the past decade. She talks with us today about China's musical emergence and performs live.


Iran's Sonic Youth

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Young rappers, indie rockers, and metal bands are making music in Iran, despite strict laws and the threat of government censorship. Today: we hear about Iran's underground music scene. Plus: Angel Deradoorian is a member of the vaunted New York art-rock band Dirty Projectors. She plays songs from her solo EP live in our studio.