WNYC's Soundcheck
WNYC, New York Public Radio, brings you Soundcheck where John Schaefer hosts lively, inquisitive conversations with established and up-and-coming figures from New York City's ever-evolving music scene.
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Rufus Wainwright (Soundcheck: Wednesday, 07 October 2009)
Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright is known for his dramatic streak. A devoted fan of Judy Garland, he recently became an opera composer with the summer premiere of his French-language drama "Prima Donna." In 2007, he got dressed up as Garland for a concert that has been turned into a CD and DVD, "M …
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Smackdown: Neil Diamond: Are You A Believer? (Soundcheck: Tuesday, 06 October 2009)
Neil Diamond's career exhibits all the characteristics of a music icon - numerous hits spanning numerous decades, the charisma and the chest hair-revealing wardrobe to back it up -- but he has yet to be formally recognized by his peers with a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In another Soundc …
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Meshell Ndegeocello (Soundcheck: Tuesday, 06 October 2009)
In addition to her decade-long solo career as a multi-faced musician, Meshell Ndegeocello has worked with everyone from the Rolling Stones to the Blind Boys of Alabama. Her songs find their inspiration in some rather controversial, and often times personal, topics ranging from sexuality to religion. …
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The Plague of Music Plagiarism (Soundcheck: Monday, 05 October 2009)
If you’ve ever listened to a song and thought it sounded familiar, it’s not your imagination: melodies are often “borrowed,” both consciously and subconsciously. Artists and bands as high profile as Madonna, George Harrison and Coldplay have all been involved in music plagiarism cases. Today, we hea …
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The Mountain Goats (Soundcheck: Monday, 05 October 2009)
John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats has a knack for keeping fans and critics guessing. He’s a critically acclaimed post-folk songwriter who champions heavy metal. He wrote a book based on his experiences as a psychiatric nurse and counselor. Now, Darnielle is taking on the Bible – literally. Every …
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Picks of the Week (Soundcheck: Friday, 02 October 2009)
Music finds inspiration in civil war, memory loss, and an autistic 19th century slave in our picks this week.
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Grunge: Bad Name, Good Scene (Soundcheck: Friday, 02 October 2009)
Coined by the music media and scorned by musicians, the word "grunge" became a catch-all genre term for punk-influenced rock bands in the early '90s. The name was easy to use -- and hard to define. Photographer Michael Lavine and Sonic Youth singer-guitarist Thurston Moore explore the roots of fuzz- …
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Brass Blast From the Boroughs (Soundcheck: Friday, 02 October 2009)
The New York-based brass band Slavic Soul Party wrings new sounds from the Old World, mixing Balkan music with American funk and jazz. The new album Taketron pushes the band’s genre boundaries even further with Japanese drumming and electronica. The nine-member ensemble packs into our studio to play …
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What is a Musical Genius? (Soundcheck: Thursday, 01 October 2009)
The word "genius" is used and abused in our culture. Musicians are praised as “genius” after a great album and terms like “boy genius” and “evil genius” resonate in popular culture. Today -- a week after the MacArthur “Genius” Awards were granted -- we ask: just what is genius? Joining us is Ron Ros …
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Ann Hobson Pilot (Soundcheck: Thursday, 01 October 2009)
After 40 years with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, principal harpist Ann Hobson Pilot -- the first and only African American woman to be appointed to the orchestra –- recently retired. But she’s not entirely done: She returns to the stage as soloist when the BSO opens the Carnegie Hall season tonigh …
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For Those About To Rock (With Strings) (Soundcheck: Wednesday, 30 September 2009)
The Decemberists and Third Eye Blind are the latest rock groups to team up with orchestras. The New York Philharmonic recently performed "Time Turns Elastic," an original work by Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio. Today: why rockers seek out the classical treament. Guests include humorist Joe Queenan a …
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Alexis Cuadrado (Soundcheck: Wednesday, 30 September 2009)
Alexis Cuadrado wears many hats in the New York jazz scene: bassist, composer, band-leader, record label owner and co-founder of the jazz co-op Brooklyn Jazz Underground. He joins us to premiere his epic new composition, "Noneto Iberico," which mixes Flamenco from his native Spain with contemporary …
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Ringtones: Set to Silent? (Soundcheck: Tuesday, 29 September 2009)
Ringtones were once considered the goldmine of the music industry, commanding three times as much as a digital song download. But industry numbers show that ringtones sales are down in the past two years, and some believe the ringtone may soon disappear. In another Soundcheck Smackdown debate, we he …
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John Forté (Soundcheck: Tuesday, 29 September 2009)
In the late 1990s, Brooklyn-based musician John Forté wrote songs for artists like The Fugees and released a solo album. But his success was derailed in 2001 by a drug-dealing conviction that carried a minimum prison sentence of 14 years. Forté joins to tell us about rebuilding his life and music ca …
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Deathbed Masterpieces (Soundcheck: Monday, 28 September 2009)
When musicians know they're about to die, they seldom produce their greatest work. But there are exceptions, including the late Cincinnati Pops conductor Erich Kunzel, jazz saxophonist Stan Getz, hip-hop producer J. Dilla. We explore the phenomenon with Wall Street Journal drama critic Terry Teachou …
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Diane Birch (Soundcheck: Monday, 28 September 2009)
Diane Birch is a young singer whose music takes listeners back to the soul and pop music of the 1970s. Born in Michigan, the daughter of a pastor, she grew up in Zimbabwe and Australia. She joins us to play songs from her album Bible Belt, live in our studio.
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Soundcheck's Picks of the Week (Soundcheck: Friday, 25 September 2009)
Our picks this week are an eclectic mix: rockabilly from Ireland, North African music from Norway, and a murder ballad from Portland, Oregon. Imelda May – Love Tattoo (Verve Forecast) - picked by Gisele Regatao Jon Balke – Siwan (ECM) - picked by John Schaefer Blitzen Trapper – Black River …
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Inside Performing Arts High Schools (Soundcheck: Friday, 25 September 2009)
Nearly 30 years after the 1980 movie "Fame," an updated remake debuts today. Like the original and the TV series it spawned, "Fame" dramatizes life in the halls and rehearsal rooms of an urban performing-arts high school. Today, we hear about real-life arts education in New York City from Robin Pogr …
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Marianne Dissard live (Soundcheck: Friday, 25 September 2009)
French pop, made in Arizona: Tucson-based, French-born singer and songwriter Marianne Dissard joins us for a live performance of songs from her debut album, "L'Entredeux", co-written and produced by Calexico's front-man Joey Burns.
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Yoko Ono (Soundcheck: Thursday, 24 September 2009)
The Plastic Ono Band was born in 1969 as a collaborative vehicle for John Lennon and Yoko Ono. It counted Eric Clapton, Keith Moon, two Beatles and Ornette Coleman as occasional members. Now, the 76-year-old Ono is re-launching the band with the help of her son, Sean Lennon, and other young stars. Y …
WNYC's Soundcheck
