Soundcheck
Summary: WNYC, New York Public Radio, brings you Soundcheck, the arts and culture program hosted by John Schaefer, who engages guests and listeners in lively, inquisitive conversations with established and rising figures in New York City's creative arts scene. Guests come from all disciplines, including pop, indie rock, jazz, urban, world and classical music, technology, cultural affairs, TV and film. Recent episodes have included features on Michael Jackson,Crosby Stills & Nash, the Assad Brothers, Rackett, The Replacements, and James Brown.
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- Artist: WNYC Studios
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Podcasts:
Alan Gilbert, when he took over the New York Philharmonic, in 2009, became the first NY-born Music Director of the ensemble. Gilbert wraps up his tenure with the orchestra this June, and somehow in his farewell time, he was able to visit with Soundcheck. In the podcast, he modestly recounts how he came in hoping to re-establish the personality of the NY Phil, how he challenged the group to achieve a “new normal,” – working with the orchestra as part of any production to make it an event, from balling up pieces up paper and throwing them at Gilbert, having a tea party & dancing during “Petrushka,” and that he made sure to bring back composers-in-residence. Gilbert also lingers on the highlights of his time: mounting György Ligeti's work, “Le grand macabre,” the Contact! Series, and the NY Phil Biennial. Many thanks for the past eight years of creative leadership, Maestro!
Pianist George Winston wrote his latest record, Spring Carousel, in the hospital recovering from a bone marrow transplant. Its proceeds will benefit cancer research. He joins us live.
The Dover Quartet performs selections from Daniel Schlosberg’s Twin Peak Fantasy – a musical kaleidoscope of Angelo Badalamenti’s renowned score of the original TV series.
American pianist & “Legend of Jazz,” Randy Weston, has once again stretched across history to forge connections to an African past. He performs some of The African Nubian Suite live.
The Secret Sisters' soaring, tight harmonies wouldn’t be out of place singing country music, church music or murder ballads. They'll play some of their latest songs, live in the studio.
Hear the pedal steel fireworks in the gospel-rooted soul of Robert Randolph & The Family Band, taking the pedal steel where it has seldom been heard before - live in the studio.
The Reverend Osagyefo Sekou draws from a deep well of American music on his new album, called In Times Like These. He and The Sealbreakers play some of the tunes live in the studio.
Hear the playful strangeness and mystery of Mexico City's arena rockers Café Tacvba, with music from their first record in five years, Jei Beibi. They join us live in the studio.
Grammy-winning Beninese diva Angélique Kidjo gives a preview of her reinterpretation of Talking Heads' classic 1980 album, Remain in Light, with an all-star band, live in the studio.
Tunisian singer Emel Mathlouthi came to prominence through her protest songs. On Emel's new 'Ensen,' she pairs electronica & traditional instruments. She joins us in the studio.
The New Pornographers are a supergroup of sorts, with songwriter & vocalist Carl Newman as one of the constants. He & some of the band talk about the latest, Whiteout Conditions.
Musician, eco-activist, and actress Sheryl Crow is back with her ninth release, Be Myself, and she’s here to play some of them for us live in the WNYC studio.
Swedish psychedelic rock outfit Dungen join us in the studio to play instrumentals from their recent score to the silent film The Adventures of Prince Achmed, and other tunes.
Lookman Adekunle Salami goes by L.A. Salami and he’s a Londoner whose music blends folk, blues, and beat poetry. He joins us to play some of his old-timey songs, live in the studio.
Guitarist/composer Matthew Stevens is a skilled sound manipulator, spinning delicate webs between jazz, rock, & experimental music. He joins us to play tunes from his latest, Preverbal.
