Soundcheck

Tift Merritt performs three songs from her new album. Plus, the North Carolina native reveals a Southern superstition she maintains as a New Yorker.

Today, the New York-based duo Tiny Victories released Those of Us Still Alive, a five-song debut that John Schaefer picked for a recent NPR feature on local artists to watch in 2012. After they performed two songs live on the show today, the band then picked John Schaefer for a remixed version of their song "Gravitron." Hear our host sampled in this unprecedented web extra.

We premiere a new song from the New York-based band Spottiswoode and His Enemies. Read Jonathan Spottiswoode's introduction and download "Majesty" here.

E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons died Saturday at age 69. Soundcheck wants to hear your memories of "The Big Man." Leave a voicemail on our toll-free listener line: 1-800-543-2543. Or post a comment below. We might include your tribute, story, etc. on an upcoming show.

It's hard to talk about the pioneering composer Steve Reich without considering the many artists he has influenced -- rockers like David Bowie and Sufjan Stevens, electronic musicians from Brian Eno to DJ Spooky, visual artists like Bruce Nauman, and choreographers such as Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and Akram Khan.

October 3, 1936 Steve Reich is born in New York

1958-1961 Studies at the Juilliard School with composers William Bergsma and Vincent Persichetti

1963 Receives M.A. in Music from Mills College, where he worked with Luciano Berio and Darius Milhaud.

1965 Reich uses tape loops in "It's Gonna Rain" samples ...

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Foie Gras Duo
Chilled Foie Gras Ballotine with Pistachios, Monbazillac Gelée, and Apricot Coulis
Hot Foie Gras with Dried Apricot Marmalade and Fennel

2004 Schoffit Gewurztraeminer, Alsace

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Trio of Little Fish
Seviche of Fluke with Grapefruit, Cucumber, Pink Radishes and Lime Escabeche of ...