Union Pacific

Soundcheck | May 3, 2010
For many years, the ancient Tsugaru shamisen folk music of northern Japan was nearly a dead art form. But today it has outgrown its antiquated roots, and has even taken on a rather hip image, thanks to Ryoichiro and Kenichi Yoshida, a.k.a. the Yoshida Brothers. Since releasing their debut album, Ibuki, four years ago, the Yoshida Brothers have sparked a nationwide surge in interest in shamisen music, by fusing improvisational arrangements with classical, Japanese pop, jazz, African, Celtic and Flamenco styles. They join us today to offer up a shamisen primer.
Additional Resources:
  • More about the Yoshida Brothers

    WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

    Top Stories

    Malcolm Gladwell on “The American Way of Killing.” Plus, Grandmaster Flash on “Birth of a Culture”

    The New Yorker staff writer believes that under-policing is at the root of our problem. Plus, the groundbreaking d.j. on the turntable innovations that led to hip-hop.
    The New Yorker Radio Hour |

    NYC's top watchdog launches probe into what mayors knew about post-9/11 air

    The news comes just over a week after Mayor Zohran Mamdani released some 170,000 documents related to the air quality around Ground Zero following the attacks.
    Gothamist |

    Advice for Personal Money Management

    Personal finance expert Amanda Holden, author of the book How To Be A Rich Old Lady
    Please Advise: A Pop Up Show from WNYC |

    Neil Patrick Harris Plays a Camp Director for Kids with Cancer

    All Of It with Alison Stewart |
    YOU ARE ONLINE