Audio Specials

Rosemary Welsch counts down WYEP’s Top 50 albums of 2011.

Listen back on those we lost in the music world in 2011. Hosted by Brian Siewiorek.

Hear the best in-studio performance from WYEP in 2011. Including: Fitz and the Tantrums, North Mississippi All Stars, Warren Haynes, The Avett Brothers, Iron & Wine, The Jayhawks, KT Tunstall, Dawes, and many more.

Hear your holiday favorites performed by some of Pittsburgh’s finest musicians. Recorded at the New Hazlett Theater on December 15th, 2011

Featuring An ensemble of CAPA Students, Panther Hollow String Band and New Shouts.

Plus: Casey Hanner of Donora,Joy Ike, Josh Verbanets of Meeting of Important People, The Wreckids, Billy Price, Mark Dignam, David Bubenheim of Pet Clinic, Mike McCormick of City Dwelling Nature Seekers, Emily Pinkerton, Brooke Annibale, Emma Cox, Chet Vincent, Ben Hardt, Kelly Tobias of Big Hurry, Greg Dutton of Lohio, and Kathrynn Heidemann of Blindsider.

Hosted by Cindy Howes

Original Air Date: 12/24/11

For the 10th Anniversary of the death of George Harrison, WYEP offered this special hosted by Mike Sauter. It examines the many collaborations Harrison took part in, plus you’ll hear some covers of Harrison’s compositions.

Original air date: 11/29/11

In August of 2011, WYEP’s Brian Siewiorek talked with the My Morning Jacket’s drummer, Patrick Hallahan. Hallahan has been friends with the band’s frontman, Jim James, since they were children. Hear about that friendship as well as the making of the band’s latest album “Circuital”...

Also, hear an unused excerpt from the interview, about My Morning Jacket’s involvement in a now-abandoned “Muppets” project for Disney.

Rosemary Welsch talks with soul singer Bettye Lavette. Lavette, born in Detroit, talks about her experience in music before and after Motown. She also discusses the concept and recording of her new album, “Intrepretations: The British Rock Songbook”.

Original Air Date: 08/04/11

WYEP’s Brian Siewiorek sat down with Nate Query and Jenny Conlee of The Decemberists this April before their sold-out show at the Benedum Center. The band members discuss the making of “The King is Dead”, as well as their upcoming hiatus.

Original Air Date: 04/26/11

WYEP celebrates Women’s History Month, in conversation with local women about their inspirations and their careers.

Featuring:

Tracy Brigden, artistic director of City Theatre

Joy Ike, singer/songwriter

Natalia Rudiak, Pittsburgh City Council member

Joyce Rothermel, co-founder and CEO of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

Meg Cheever, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy president and CEO

Liane Norman, writer and co-founder of Pittsburgh Peace Institute

Judy Eakin, executive director of HEARTH

Lynn Zelevansky, Henry J. Heinz II director of Carnegie Museum of Art.

Rosemary Welsch countdowns WYEP’s Top 50 albums for 2010, and looks back at the year in music.

Join Cindy Howes as she looks back at some of the best in local music in 2010.

Brian Siewiorek plays the best performances from artists who played in the WYEP studios in 2010. Including, Michael Franti, The Posies, Brandi Carlile, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and many more.

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of John Lennon’s tragic murder, host Mike Sauter brings together music written about The Beatles’ founder and rock & roll icon.

Many musicians — both famous and not so famous — count themselves among Lennon’s admirers, and few rockers have been referenced in so many songs.

The hour-long tribute features music written about John Lennon by George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Paul Simon, Loudon Wainwright III, Blossom Dearie, Tom Paxton, Susanna Hoffs, Hamell on Trial, Christy Moore, and even Sissy Spacek.

A broadcast from Bricolage Theater Company’s Midnight Radio Series. Featuring the radio play “The Dark Side of the House”, an adaptation of a true story that took place in Pittsburgh in 1947 and made national headlines. “The Dark Side of the House” is the story of Millard Wright, a career criminal and a doctor’s quest to cure him through a daring medical procedure.

Midnight Radio is Bricolage Theater Company’s performance series in the style of classic 1940’s radio broadcasts, featuring vintage sound effects, musical guests, commercial spoofs and more.

The Civic Arena opened its doors in 1961 and went on to house nearly one thousand concerts. From the beginning, the Civic Arena has been a vital component to the live music scene in the region. Many concerts at the arena have become a rite of passage for pop and rock music fans in Western Pennsylvania. Iconic bands such as The Beatles, The Grateful Dead, and The Rolling Stones have all performed there. WYEP takes a look at the history of the Civic Arena and its most memorable moments in its 50 year history.

This is your audio primer for this year’s Rock the Block!

The South Side’s Bedford Square will be filled with the sounds of Colonizing the Cosmos and headliner, Alejandro Escovedo. And don’t forget the exclusive VIP performance from Freedy Johnston.

Listen up then order your tickets: http://www.proartstickets.org/events/view/632

“American Originals” focuses on one legendary American artist. You’ll hear the impact these artists have had on American music with cuts from their own catalogues, covers of their songs by other artists, collaborations and modern influences.

Bob Dylan
Probably one of the most covered artists in American history, we explore Bob Dylan’s folk songwriting days, his “going electric”, and hear how other artists have interpreted his songs in various ways.

“American Originals” focuses on one legendary American artist. You’ll hear the impact these artists have had on American music with cuts from their own catalogues, covers of their songs by other artists, collaborations and modern influences.

Emmylou Harris
From her early days with Gram Parsons to her more recent collaboration with Mark Knopfler, Emmylou Harris is one of the most respected interpreters in the country. Over the hour we’ll hear many of these collaborations, as well as some of her solo work.

“American Originals” focuses on one legendary American artist. You’ll hear the impact these artists have had on American music with cuts from their own catalogues, covers of their songs by other artists, collaborations and modern influences.

Prince
More than just a great guitar player, or songwriter, Prince’s determination to do things his way has kept his sound fresh, funky and at times controversial. Over the hour, we’ll hear many sides of Prince, and his work interpreted by many different artists.

“American Originals” focuses on one legendary American artist. You’ll hear the impact these artists have had on American music with cuts from their own catalogues, covers of their songs by other artists, collaborations and modern influences.

R.E.M.
As a group, R.E.M. have kept things interesting in their time together. As individuals, their non-group work has been equally interesting. In this hour of American Originals, we’ll hear both sides of one of Georgia’s biggest bands.

“American Originals” focuses on one legendary American artist. You’ll hear the impact these artists have had on American music with cuts from their own catalogues, covers of their songs by other artists, collaborations and modern influences.

Paul Simon
Whether with Art Garfunkel or as a solo act, Paul Simon’s songs have inspired artists of many generations. You’ll hear some of the inspiration that went into his “Graceland” album, as well as from artists like Vampire Weekend, who are continuing what he started.

“American Originals” focuses on one legendary American artist. You’ll hear the impact these artists have had on American music with cuts from their own catalogues, covers of their songs by other artists, collaborations and modern influences.

Bonnie Raitt
Born into a musical family, Bonnie Raitt rediscovered roots and blues music while in college. She has spent the rest of her life promoting them through her own work as well as through other artists.

In March 2010, WYEP honored Women’s History Month in conversations with local women who are working to make Pittsburgh a better city.

Featuring:

Heather Arnet, Executive Director of the Women and Girls Foundation

Liz Berlin, Member of Rusted Root and co-owner of Mr. Smalls. She also runs the non-profit Creative.Life.Support.

Deborah Starling-Pollard, Community Organizer/Social Worker at the County of Allegheny-Office of Behavioral Health. She is also a playwright, and singer.

Donna Sanft, Executive Associate Director of Athletics at the University of Pittsburgh

Shelia McKenna, Actor and Director, Teaching Artist at Point Park University

Deborah L. Acklin, Executive Vice President and General Manager for WQED Multimedia

Hilary Robinson, Dean, College of Fine Arts at Carnegie Mellon University

Dr. Margaret Ragni, Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, and Director, Hemophilia Center of Western Pennsylvania

Elsie Hillman; A lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, Elsie Hillman has been involved for many years in the region’s civic, political and cultural activities.

Mexican American singer/songwriter Lhasa de Sela died of breast cancer on January 1st, 2010.

As tribute to her life and work WYEP is sharing this studio performance and interview with Lhasa recorded October 11th, 2005.

WYEP and Bricolage Theater Company spotlight the best cuts from Bricolage’s “Midnight Radio” series. Including this season’s winning radio play!

Mike Sauter leads you through an audio tour of The Beatles re-releases and events of 2009.

Brian Siewiorek looks back at the best tracks from WYEP’s 2009 Studio Sessions.

Rosemary Welsch looks back at the best World music releases from 2009.

Cindy Howes spotlights the best Pittsburgh local music from 2009.

Rosemary Welsch counts down WYEP’s Top 50 CD’s from 2009

To commemorate the 35th Anniversary of Bob Dylan’s “Blood on the Tracks”, WYEP invited local musicians to have their hand at a few Dylan classics.

When Rosanne Cash turned 18 her father gave her a list of “100 Essential Country Songs.” Johnny Cash’s aim was to educate his young daughter in the knowledge of great American roots songs. Rosemary Welsch talks with Rosanne Cash about the songs on the record, the four guest vocalists who accompany her, and her relationship with her father.

Live. Work. Play. Everyone. Everyday.

WYEP is the soundtrack that keeps us connected- to music, to the community, to each other.
Your City. Your Station. 91.3fm WYEP – The Soundtrack to Pittsburgh.

To celebrate the unique qualities of Pittsburgh we have assembled “audio postcards” of various Pittsburgh sounds to play on WYEP.

On October 1, 1969, the Abbey Road album by The Beatles made its U.S. debut, the final one recorded by the band before dissolving into history. For the 40th anniversary of this influential pop masterpiece, WYEP presented a series of features giving the stories behind each of the album’s songs as well as a look at the musical and cultural influence of one of the most important albums in rock history.

As Pittsburgh hosts the G-20 Pittsburgh Summit September 24th and 25th, WYEP will spotlight the music of many of the nations that will be in attendance. Music plays an important role in the cultural economics of the world, and we present some from The United Kingdom, Japan, Brazil, Australia, Russia, South Africa, India and Canada, just to name a few.

A look back at the year 2008 in music. Rosemary Welsch counts down WYEP’s Top 50 CD’s of the year, as well as tributes to those who passed on.

Cindy Howes hosts this look back at the year in the Pittsburgh local music scene.

Brian Siewiorek host this look back at the best moments from WYEP’s 2008 Studio Sessions. Featuring Michael Franti & Spearhead, Dean & Britta, The Drive By Truckers, Spoon and many more.

Tripp Clarke hosts this two-hour tribute to Pittsburgh and the musicians that have come from here, in honor of the city’s 250th birthday.

WYEP’s Rosemary Welsch interviews legendary Soul and Gospel singer Mavis Staples. Mavis Staples talks about a number of subjects including her family legacy, The Staples Singers, growing up in Chicago, the 2008 election, civil rights struggles, and her new live recording.

Originally aired on November 21, 2008.

2008 marks the 40th anniversary of The Beatles’ only double album. It’s also one of the few major albums in rock history that is rarely called by its correct title, ever since it was quickly nicknamed “The White Album”.

Originally aired November 25, 2008. WYEP produced a series of recorded pieces featuring the stories behind each of the album’s songs as well as a look at its musical and cultural influence.

The Nineties. Grunge, Trip-Hop, Lilith Fair, Lollapalooza, Brit Pop and “Alternative” Music. It was a decade with many musical milestones. To commemorate the Nineties, WYEP asked our listeners to vote for their favorite songs from the decade. We tallied the votes and here’s the countdown of the 100 most popular. Originally aired September 1, 2008

In celebration of Pittsburgh’s 250th birthday, WYEP’s Tripp Clarke produced tributes to 22 artists and musicians who called the Steel City home.

Stephen Foster, the father of American Music, was born on the 4th of July, 1826 in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. His music lives on today and is performed by a variety of artists. Hear renditions of Foster’s best known tunes by Mavis Staples, Raul Malo, BR 549, Michelle Shocked and a few rare surprises.

Hosted by WYEP’s Afternoon Mix host Rosemary Welsch and Kate Borger of The Roots & Rhythm mix in celebration of Pittsburgh’s 250th birthday.

The “Summer of Love” occurred in 1967, and the events of that had significant social and cultural impact. Although most of the major happenings of that summer happened far away from Pittsburgh, the significance of them still can be felt today. Accompanying it was a musical soundtrack that directly related to these events.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the “Summer of Love”, WYEP crafted a series that looked at the events and aspects of culture that occurred in the summer of 1967.

This series won an “Excellence in Broadcasting Award” from the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters in 2008.

It’s almost cliche to rank The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band as one of the finest and most influential rock albums of all time.

One can call it the “Citizen Kane” or “Moby Dick” of the rock world; even those who don’t count themselves as fans acknowledge its status among fellow artists and the public at large. No album has more broadly definedwhat an album could be and what it should aspire to.

For the 40th anniversary of Sgt. Pepper’s release, WYEP examined each song from this landmark album. Click on the song names below to hear the audio…

1977 is known as “the year that punk broke”. In 2007, to commemorate the 30th Anniversary, WYEP produced a series featuring some of the punk bands that were active in 1977.

Click on the band/artist’s name to hear the audio.