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Soundcheck / July 03, 2008

Soundcheck

Thursday, July 03, 2008
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  • Coldplay

    Is Coldplay Rock's Heir Apparent?

    Some critics are comparing Coldplay’s new album to U2’s "Achtung Baby." But others argue lead-singer Chris Martin is only a second-rate Bono. In the latest Soundcheck Smackdown: we debate whether Coldplay deserves to be the top-selling band in the nation.

    Also: Choreographer Twyla Tharp talks about her latest work featuring an original score by Danny Elfman.

Soundcheck Smackdown: Coldplay

In a time when CD sales are tanking, British rock band Coldplay's new album is a hotseller. "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends" is the number one record in America for a second week in a row. But is the record really that good? We debate Coldplay’s bid for the rock crown with Blender magazine senior critic Jon Dolan and New York Daily News pop music critic Jim Farber.

Our blog: John Schaefer on the Coldplay juggernaut

Tell us: Coldplay -- invincible or insufferable? What do you think of Coldplay?

Coldplay's website

Twyla Tharp

Choreographer Twyla Tharp redeemed the Broadway jukebox musical with "Movin' Out," a narrative ballet set to songs by Billy Joel. Her latest work, "Rabbit and Rogue," which just concluded a series of performances at the American Ballet Theater, features an original score by composer Danny Elfman. She joins us to talk about the use of music in her work, and about her favorite dance scores.

Twyla Tharp's website

Think Globally, Dance Locally

If you don’t leave the country this summer… the world will come to you. Zimbabwe, Mexico, Serbia, Brazil, Nigeria, and Spain are just a few of the countries sending artists to New York stages in the next several weeks. WNYC's Rob Weisberg will unpack some of the highlights.



Rob Weisberg's world music picks:

Rachid Taha and Dengue Fever - Summerstage July 5

Seun Kuti - with Fela's band Egypt 80 - Summerstage July 6

Goran Bregovic - Lincoln Center Festival July 8 and 9

Honest Jons spectacular at Avery Fisher Hall July 12

Accordion festival - Riverside Park July 12th

Julieta Venegas - Summerstage July 12th

Nation Beat - SOBs July 15

Boban Markovic Orchestra - Lincoln Center swing July 16, Drom July 16 and July 23.

Juan Luis Guerra – Madison Square Garden July 18

Peret - Lincoln Center Midsummer Night Swing July 25

Bachata Roja - Queens Latin Festival August 1st

Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto - Queens Latin Festival Aug 2nd

African Festival (Oliver Mtukudzi, Habib Koite, Extra Golden and others) - Prospect Park Celebrate Brooklyn August 3rd.

Arcade Fire

When I Missed the Boat

Soundcheck

How prejudice and second-guessing can cause you to miss some great music. Also, Juilliard-trained pianist Andy Russo joins us to share "Mix Tape," a collection of 14 classical arrangements of nuggets by Billy Joel, James Blunt, the B-52's, and others.

johnny flynn

Johnny Flynn

Soundcheck

Johnny Flynn, a London-based singer-songwriter, performs songs from his new album, "A Larum."

Ahmad Jamal

Ahmad Jamal

Soundcheck

Pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal was a major influence on Miles Davis in the 50s. Today rappers sample his music. He joins us to discuss his latest album.

  1. The Brian Lehrer Show: VP TV (10/03/2008)
  2. The Brian Lehrer Show: Middle Ground (10/02/2008)
  3. The Brian Lehrer Show: What’s The Damage? (10/06/2008)
  4. The Brian Lehrer Show: On Iraq (10/01/2008)
  5. The Leonard Lopate Show: Superpower (09/30/2008)
  6. The Brian Lehrer Show: In the Red (09/30/2008)
  7. The Leonard Lopate Show: Memory (10/03/2008)