Mark Kurlansky

Soundcheck takes a look back 50 years, to the summer of 1964 -- a year also known as "The Freedom Summer."

First: For a time, the most successful American performers of the 1960s, The Supremes rivaled even The Beatles in terms of red-hot commercial appeal. Biographer Mark Ribowsky shares some stories behind classics like “Where Did Our Love Go” -- and shows how the concept of “blacks singing white” was essential to the evolution of modern music.

Then: Writer Mark Kurlansky delves into Martha and the Vandellas' hit song “Dancing in the Street,” and the new meaning it took on during the Civil Rights movement.

In this episode: Rapper and hip hop mogul Jay-Z just released his 12^th studio album, Magna Carta Holy Grail. Jeff Rosenthal, hip hop writer and one half of the hip hop sketch comedy group It’s The Real, tells us his thoughts about the record.

Plus: The Martha and the Vandellas song “Dancing in the Street” was originally supposed to be a summer dance hit. But then the 1960’s happened — and the song took on a whole new meaning. We discuss the song with author Mark Kurlansky, whose new book is called Ready for a Brand New Beat: How “Dancing in the Street” Became the Anthem for a Changing America.

And: Contemporary Christian musician Amy Grant recently released a new album called How Mercy Looks From Here. We talk with the Grammy winning artist about incorporating her faith into her music, going to Bonnaroo, and her gay fans — and we hear some of her new songs live in our studio.