WNYC's Soundcheck

Songs to keep you Hanging (Soundcheck: Monday, 13 July 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:00 GMT

Over 70 percent of business callers are put on hold and the average person spends 60 hours a year on hold, according to industry research. That’s where on-hold music comes in to play. Today: Emily Ethridge, a reporter with Congressional Quarterly, talks about how U.S. senators and other politicians brand themselves using hold music. Also joining us is David Sandler, president of MusicWorks, a production company that specializes in on-hold music.

Syd Kitchen Live (Soundcheck: Monday, 13 July 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:00 GMT

Syd Kitchen is known as the Afro-Saxon Dylan in his native South Africa. An uncompromising figure on the south African music scene since the 70s, Syd is now recording a new album in the States with Paul Simon’s “Graceland” band.

Your Cheatin' Heart (Soundcheck: Friday, 10 July 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:50 GMT

In politics, an extra-marital affair can jeopardize a career. But in music, cheating is the subject of some of the most popular songs ever, from Marvin Gaye’s "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" to the Eagles' "Lyin' Eyes" to TLC's "Creep." (Don't get us started on operas. OK, do.) We look at some of the best, with Washington Post classical music critic Anne Midgette and WNYC cultural reporter Siddhartha Mitter. Plus, we take your calls (anonymously, if you wish).

Tell us: What's your favorite "cheating song"? Why? Leave a comment.

Choir of Christ's College, Cambridge (Soundcheck: Friday, 10 July 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:00 GMT

The Choir of Christ's College, Cambridge, takes the famous English choral tradition and extends it with a new work by American composer Toby Twining. They perform live in our studio.

Behind The Supremes (Soundcheck: Thursday, 09 July 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:21 GMT

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

Weigh in: What do you think of the Supremes? Who was your favorite Supreme?

Matisyahu (Soundcheck: Thursday, 09 July 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:33 GMT

Hasidic star Matisyahu changed the face of reggae a few years ago topping the charts, playing at huge festivals and getting a Grammy nomination. He joins us in light of the release of his new album, "Light," and he will play live.

Marian Anderson (Soundcheck: Wednesday, 08 July 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:52 GMT

This year marks the 70th anniversary of Marian Anderson's historic performance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Today, we look at her legacy -- as a civil rights figure and as a singer -- with African American opera star Denyce Graves and Raymond Arsenault, author of the book The Sound of Freedom.

Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on Marian Anderson

Soundcheck's Picks of the Week (Soundcheck: Wednesday, 08 July 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:32 GMT

This week's picks feature Oregonian cello, the sounds of Cape Verde and "Radical Jewish Music." Read our full reviews here.

Portland Cello Project, The Thao and Justin Power Sessions (Kill Rock Stars)

Lura, Eclipse (Four Quarters)

Rashanim, The Gathering (Tzadik)

Los Amigos Invisibles (Soundcheck: Wednesday, 08 July 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 03:33 GMT

The Venezuelan funk-rock band Los Amigos Invisibles was discovered by David Byrne in a Manhattan record shop. The group ended up with multiple Grammy nominations and its members are now based in New York. They join us to play live songs from their new album, Commercial.

Soundcheck Smackdown: Music magazines: elite or obsolete? (Soundcheck: Tuesday, 07 July 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:48 GMT

Hip-hop and R&B magazine Vibe shut down last week, the latest victim in a series of music magazines like Blender, Harp, No Depression and Jazz Times that have folded in recent months. Some say that is a huge loss for in-depth music writing. Others argue they became dinosaurs in a fast-changing media landscape.

Joining us for a no-holds-barred media debate are Bill Wyman, editor of Hitsville, a blog about media and pop culture; and Maura Johnston, editor of the music blog Idolator.com.

Weigh in: Do you care about the future of music magazines?

Stellastarr* (Soundcheck: Tuesday, 07 July 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:41 GMT

One of NY’s hottest new wave rock bands from the early part of this decade is now back with its first album in almost four years. Stellastarr* (asterisk, included) kicks off its American tour with a live performance in our studio.

Marathon Music (Soundcheck: Monday, 06 July 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:56 GMT

For runners, summer can be a great time of year, with many New Yorkers entering peak training season for fall marathons. Today, Soundcheck looks at the various training mixes and podcasts that can help motivate any training program. Guests include New York Times personal technology writer Danielle Belopotosky and Josh Cox, an ultra-marathoner and holder of the American record for the 50K.

Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on running music

Weigh in: Do you use music for workouts? What are the advantages or drawbacks?

Steve Kuhn (Soundcheck: Monday, 06 July 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:00 GMT

Steve Kuhn was just 21 years old when he was invited to be the first pianist of the John Coltrane quartet. Now, after half a century as a performer and composer, Kuhn (along with his trio) has recorded a tribute to the late jazz legend, entitled Mostly Coltrane. He joins us in the studio to discuss the album and to perform live.

When a CD Is More Than a CD (Soundcheck: Friday, 03 July 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:00 GMT

Lurking in every music fan's collection is an album that changed a life in some way, big or small. Today we ask you to tell us about an album that compelled you to pick up an instrument, start a career in music, or make a big decision. Music writer Michael Azerrad and DJ Rekha, whose work fuses South Asian bhangra with hip-hop, join us to explain how certain albums changed them. This is a repeat broadcast.

The New Standards (Soundcheck: Friday, 03 July 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:00 GMT

Members of The New Standards led past lives in groups like the Suburbs, Semisonic, and Billygoat. On their latest album, Rock and Roll, the trio's rock chops fuel unplugged and jazzy covers of songs by Elvis Costello, Britney Spears and the Clash. They join us for an in-studio performance. This is a repeat broadcast.

Concert Photos: The Pros Weigh In (Soundcheck: Thursday, 02 July 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:36 GMT

Fans are revolutionizing music photography with digital cameras, iPhones and social networking sites. But has the art of the image suffered? Today: two photographers from different generations, Bob Gruen and Elizabeth Weinberg, explain how they have responded to this revolution.

Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on rock photography

Xiayin Wang live (Soundcheck: Thursday, 02 July 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:00 GMT

Xiayin Wang (pronounced "shay-in wong") is one of the rising young concert pianists to emerge from China’s thriving classical music scene. Her father was a professional erhu player (a Chinese string instrument) and she won several prizes in China before coming to the U.S. She joins us to perform live from her third album, an all-Scriabin CD on the Naxos label.

Underground Music in Iran (Soundcheck: Wednesday, 01 July 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:53 GMT

The ongoing government crackdown in Iran is taking place against the backdrop of a vibrant youth culture, as nearly 70 percent of the country’s population is under the age of 30. As interest in Western-style music has grown, an underground music scene has flourished. Today we look at the hotbed of rappers, metal bands and indie rockers in Iran and how musicians exist despite strict laws and threats of government censorship. Guests include Gramophone magazine's North American section editor Anastasia Tsioulcas, documentary filmmaker Amir Hamz and vocalist-guitarist Raam of Hypernova, a New York-based dance-rock band that formed in Tehran.

Deradoorian (Soundcheck: Wednesday, 01 July 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:26 GMT

Angel Deradoorian is a member of Dirty Projectors, a New York experimental rock band that recently collaborated with David Byrne. The 22-year-old multi-instrumentalist joins us to talk about her solo outing, an EP called Mind Raft. And, she performs live in our studio.

The Death of Music Ownership (Soundcheck: Tuesday, 30 June 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:27 GMT

A week ago, the Recording Industry Association of America successfully sued a Minnesota mom to the tune of nearly 2 million dollars - or about $80,000 a song. It’s part of the record industry’s larger attempts to crush the consumer-led downloading movement of the last decade. But these efforts are a losing battle, says Greg Kot. The rock critic at the Chicago Tribune and author of a new book called Ripped: How the Wired Generation Revolutionized Music, he explains why.

Picks of the Week (Soundcheck: Tuesday, 30 June 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:06 GMT

This week's staff picks bring you samba soul from Brazil, indie rock from North Carolina and a guitar journey across time. Read our full reviews and download a free MP3 from Bowerbirds here.

Marcio Local, Marcio Local Says Don Day Don Dree Don Don (Luaka Bop)

Sharon Isbin, Journey to the New World (Sony Classical)

Bowerbirds, Upper Air (Dead Oceans)

Tiempo Libre (Soundcheck: Tuesday, 30 June 2009)

listenerservices@wnyc.org (WNYC, New York Public Radio) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:30 GMT

Miami-based Cuban music group Tiempo Libre studied classical music at a venerable Havana music conservatory by day. By night, the musicians played Latin jazz rumbas in clubs and private homes, as the Afro-Cuban style was forbidden at the school. On their new album, Bach in Havana, the group fuses Bach’s melodies with the rumba and cha-cha-cha. They share them with a performance in our studio.