The
Beat Authority with David Sommerstein is a Friday show. It's a kick into the weekend, a bounce
for your afternoon, a swing for your end-of-the-week step. A fresh, eclectic choice
of dance music from all over the world. You may hear cumbia or bluegrass or afrobeat
or jazz, but it'll keep your head a-noddin' and your spirits up. Join in the groove
and enjoy. And if you have suggestions, e-mail
'em in!
About The Host
Ever
since I got a Fisher Price record player for Chanukkah when I was four, I've been
a musical sponge. My favorite stuff is music that ventures across genres, and
music that makes you dance.
Globalization has been a mixed bag, but it's sure invigorated the world
of music. Salsa from Israel, flamenco from east L.A., Algerian rai from Paris,
hip-hop from Senegal, reggae from Morocco--artists are borrowing at will, threading
the sounds they hear on TV and radio into their own traditions.
David Sommerstein
The Beat Authority with David Sommerstein
The Beat Authoritywith David Sommerstein airs Fridays from 3-5 pm.
Phat beats, dope rhymes, global grooves. Here's your place to listen to the latest edition of The Beat Authority, hosted by David Sommerstein, anytime you want. This edition is the lead segment of this stream. This archive will only be available until next week's show is posted. (updates Friday at 8 pm.)
(10/13/09) Deep African beats and environmental activism make a special appearance in Potsdam this week. Toronto-based band Mr. Something Something is playing at La Casbah Moroccan restaurant Thursday night at 8:30 pm. The band's music is rooted in Afrobeat. It's a style created by the legendary musician and political activist Fela Kuti of Nigeria. It features lots of drums playing hypnotic grooves, horns punctuating phrases, and lyrics with a message. The band describes its music as "the soundtrack to a joyful revolution." Mr. Something Something was co-founded by John McLean, who's actually a Potsdam native. He hasn't been here since he was little, and he told David Sommerstein he's excited to return. McLean says he and childhood friend Larry Graves have played together since they were in first grade. Advance tickets are $8, $10 at the door. You can get yours by calling 315-274-9696 or e-mailing derekmaus@gmail.com.
(08/28/09) The Adirondack electric/acoustic band Swimming in Speakers were live guests on The Beat Authority. Chris Clarke and his fellow band member, Meadow, brought a cellist, a viloinist and a drummer into the NCPR studios for a special live set on the show. Hear the whole interview/music segment as they perform "Nevergreen," "Near My Ear," "Mind Does Take," "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Svoboda."
The host and creator of the long-running TV show <em>Soul Train</em> died Wednesday morning. His show proved a truism about America and race that so few people, even today, understand: Black culture, expressed in undiluted form and ...