WNYC New York Public Radio

Freedom on the March (Soundcheck: Thursday, 20 November 2008)

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:43 GMT

Nearly a dozen marching bands will invade Manhattan next week for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Today: a look at the music, culture and tradition of a uniquely American tradition. Later: violinist Anne Akiko Meyers shares her pick for Soundcheck's Noteworthy New York map. And, John Relyea talks about his role in the Metropolitan Opera's production of "La Damnation de Faust." Plus: our CD Picks of the Week.

Psssst: Want to be a guinea pig in a Soundcheck experiment? Click here.

CD Picks of the Week (Soundcheck: Thursday, 20 November 2008)

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:35 GMT

Three outstanding new releases, as picked by the Soundcheck staff. Read full descriptions on the Soundcheck blog.

The Clash, "Live At Shea Stadium" (Sony)
--picked by John Schaefer

F***ed Up, "The Chemistry of Common Life" (Matador)
--picked by Joel Meyer

"Gomidas Songs," – Isabel Bayrakdarian, soprano / Serouj Kradjian, piano/ Chamber Players of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra / Eudard Topchjan, conductor (Nonesuch)
--picked by Brian Wise

Noteworthy New York: Anne Akiko Meyers
We are all a product of our environment. But for many artists, the New York City landscape directly affects their creative life. With that in mind, we invited artists to name their favorite cultural spot in the city. You can view them all on the web map Noteworthy New York. Here is a pick from violinist Anne Akiko Meyers: a quiet atrium in mid-town Manhattan. She told Soundcheck producer Brian Wise what is so special about that place.

Ivory Tower in the Red (The Brian Lehrer Show: Thursday, 20 November 2008)

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:13 GMT

Colleges and universities are suffering as the credit crunch depletes student loans and the falling stock market shrinks endowments. What does this mean for life on campus? Plus, the dawning of the age of the atheist. And, today's the day the MTA fills in the details of their "draconian" budget cuts.

Jonathan Alter: 25 Years of American Politics (The Leonard Lopate Show: Thursday, 20 November 2008)

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:00 GMT

Newsweek senior editor and columnist Jonathan Alter looks back at covering 25 years of the most important political events in American history. His new book Between the Lines.

Empty MTA? (The Brian Lehrer Show: Thursday, 20 November 2008)

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:00 GMT

Pete Donohue, transit reporter for the NY Daily News checks in from the MTA news conference on possible major fare increases and service cuts.

At the Last Minute (The Leonard Lopate Show: Thursday, 20 November 2008)

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:00 GMT

Find out about the changes in environmental policy being rushed through during the final weeks of the Bush administration. Also, former SNL writer Alan Zweibel on his funny new book, Clothing Optional. Stewart O’Nan on his latest novel. Plus, Jonathan Alter, editor and columnist for Newsweek magazine, on being witness to some of the biggest news events in the last 25 years!

MTA to Meet on Service Cuts

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:00 GMT

With a budget to balance by the end of the year, and a $1.2 billion deficit to fill, the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is expected to announce steep service cuts when it meets to....