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November 2009

Making a Buck Underground

Friday, November 20, 2009

Making a living has never been easy for subway musicians but some say it's getting tougher. Some buskers have gone as far as to seek out corporate sponsors, while others are being told by the transit police to pack up and leave. Today, we get several views on New York's underground music economy. Also: They Might Be Giants demystify scientific concepts as they perform live in our studio.


Jazz Survivors

Thursday, November 19, 2009

New York has always been a great place to be a jazz consumer. But right now, the city is a tough place to be a jazz artist. Today: how musicians and clubs are struggling to stay afloat. Plus: another installment of WNYC's Jazz Loft Project radio series. Plus: singer-songwriter Grant-Lee Phillips performs live in our studio.


Spanning the Hits in Gotham

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

From the 1920s through the '70s, New York City gave rise to an explosion of musical styles: from bebop and Latin, to punk and disco. Today, Tony Fletcher, the author of a new book on music in 20th-century New York explains what unites them all. Also: Rickie Lee Jones, the so-called "Duchess of Coolsville," joins us to talk about her newest album and perform live in our studio.


Soundtrack Smackdown

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Bands like Death Cab for Cutie and Paramore helped put the soundtrack for the Twilight film sequel New Moon atop the Billboard albums chart recently. But some moviegoers prefer strings over songs. Today: pop music battles original score. Plus: Dionne Warwick sang pop themes from movies like Alfie and Valley of the Dolls. She talks about the latest chapter in a career filled with hits and Grammys.


How to Cope with Noisy Neighbors

Monday, November 16, 2009

Madonna has been accused of using her Manhattan apartment as a rehearsal studio with blaring music, according to a recent lawsuit. But neighbor noise is a major concern to many New Yorkers. Today, find out how to cope. Also: New York band Forro in the Dark shares their brand of the northeastern Brazilian music that accompanies the dance the forro.


The Passion of the Critic

Friday, November 13, 2009

Some rock critics collect enemies. One influential writer collected admirers like Bono, Yoko Ono and Mick Jagger. Today: the life of music critic, blues historian and record producer Robert Palmer. Also: Sir Willard White talks about his role in the Metropolitan Opera production of Janacek's From the House of the Dead.


Vintage Soul Gets a Second Wind

Thursday, November 12, 2009

A growing number of record labels are rescuing obscure soul sounds that have slipped through the cracks of history. Today, hear about recordings and artists found on "outsider soul" labels like Numero Group, Wax Poetics and Soul Jazz. Also: Portuguese singer Sara Tavares returns to our studio with a live performance.


Another Side of Iggy

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Stooges frontman Iggy Pop single-handedly embodied what it meant to be a singer in a punk rock band: the long hair, ripped jeans, bare chest, and the ability to risk life and limb more often than a Hollywood stuntman. Today, he talks about how a French novel inspired his new album. Also: Elizabeth and the Catapult perform in our studio.This is a repeat edition of Soundcheck.


Live From The Greene Space

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Love and heartbreak are two powerful weapons in a songwriter's arsenal. In a live broadcast from WNYC's Jerome L. Greene Space, we debate which is more potent: the love song or the breakup song. Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, stars of the film Once and the duo behind the group The Swell Season, each take a side. Later: Grammy winning violinist Joshua Bell has played to crowds in major concert halls, a Washington D.C. metro station and even his own home. Today, he performs with the hot young Latin band Tiempo Libre and pianist Frankie Moreno for our live audience.


Ask The Record Doctor

Monday, November 09, 2009

Sometimes a piece of music can provide relief in a time of crisis – a layoff, a divorce, a disastrous day on Wall Street. Today, The Record Doctor returns to suggest recordings that can be used to cope with life’s big dilemmas. Also: Live music from the Bollywood singer (and Indian Idol host) Kailash Kher.


Gizmos for Music and Beyond

Friday, November 06, 2009

If you have a bright idea for a musical gadget, you’re not alone. Today: New York Times technology columnist David Pogue fields your ideas for gizmos that haven’t been invented yet. And, he shares ideas from his readers... like a waterproof smartphone. Also: Choreographer Bill T. Jones discusses two new works inspired by Abraham Lincoln and the Broadway arrival of his musical about African musician Fela Kuti.

Join Soundcheck at the Greene Space: Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova of the film "Once" and violinist Joshua Bell, live on Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. More info here.


Moving Props and Moving Audiences

Thursday, November 05, 2009

The best music jobs aren't on stage. Stagehands at Carnegie Hall can pull in more than $500,000 a year. Today, we look at the lucrative job of moving props. Also: New York City Opera opens its season after an off-season of drastic cuts in an effort to bring the beleaguered company back to financial stability. Later: Esau Mwamwaya of the Malawian-British trio The Very Best. And: Soundcheck's picks of the week.


Carly Goes Back to Basics

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Singer-songwriter Carly Simon joins us to talk about collaborating with her son on a new album and wrangling with Starbucks in a legal battle. Later: conductor Roger Nierenberg tells us how symphony orchestras can inspire teamwork and leadership in the business world.


Music as a Bully Pulpit

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

While music has often been used as a rallying cry by musicians and politicians alike, last year's presidential election saw the musical community organize in new and compelling ways around a variety of social, political, and religious issues. On this Election Day Smackdown, we debate the role and impact that politics plays in music. Also: Composer and pianist Vijay Iyer performs songs from his new album, Historicity, live in our studio.


Mysterious Ways

Monday, November 02, 2009

Music lovers are drawn to mysterious lives, from bluesman Robert Johnson to rock howler Jack White. Today: we ask musician Carrie Brownstein whether mystery can survive in an era of music blogs and tabloids. And: DJ/rupture unlocks the mysterious world of international DJs. Plus: singer and percussionist Alessandra Belloni shares the art of the tarantella.