The Beatles Audio

Senegalese band Orchestra Baobab is one of the pioneers of Afro pop and they have impacted many artists to come, like Youssou N’Dour and Baaba Maal. Their new album, "Made in Dakar" has new songs, as well as a collection of pieces from the band's 20 records, some of which were only available on tapes. Guitarist Latfi Benjeloun joins us as the band lands in town for their summer tour. Orchestra Baobob performs tonight at 7pm at Rockefeller Park as part of the River to River Festival , and tomorrow at noon at the BAM Rhythm & Blues Festival at MetroTech .

Human rights icon Natan Sharansky is a former Soviet dissident and political prisoner; he’s also served as a senior minister in the Israeli government. He says that strong identity is vital to a healthy democracy, and valueless cosmopolitanism is very dangerous. His new book is Defending Identity . Event : Natan Sharansky will be speaking and signing books Wednesday, June 25 at 7 pm Congregation Rinat Israel 389 West Englewood Avenue Teaneck, NJ

Members of the Young at Heart Chorus range in age from 72 to 88 and are known for their performances of rock songs. Director Bob Cilman and chorus member Jean Florio talk about their upcoming concert at the Beacon Theater and confounding society’s expectations for the elderly.

Emmylou Harris makes "every song feel personal, whatever its pedigree," according to the New York Times . Her new album is called "All I Intended To Be." Event : Emmylou Harris will be in conversation with Katherine Lanpher and performing live Thursday, June 12 at 7 pm Barnes & Noble Union Square 33 East 17th Street

Lil’ Wayne claims to be the best rapper alive, but it took New Orleans' most famous guest MC two years to put out his new album. In another Soundcheck Smackdown, we debate Lil’ Wayne’s claim to greatness and his new album, "Tha Carter III." Joining us in studio: Sasha Frere-Jones , pop music critic for the New Yorker magazine, and Jake Paine , senior editor of the website Hiphopdx.com. Our blog : John Schaefer on Lil' Wayne Tell us : Is Lil' Wayne the best rapper alive? Why or why not?

"In the beginning, Sonic Youth scared me," is how music critic David Browne opens his new biography of the band, "Goodbye 20th Century." But for the most successful experimental rock band of its time, music was less about fear – and more about fearlessness. We talk with Browne about Sonic Youth’s legacy and resilience – and whether the band is still relevant today. Our blog : John Schaefer on Sonic Youth and "keeping the pond small."

In the age of MP3’s sound quality is worse than ever. But veteran musician and producer T Bone Burnett refuses to see high-fidelity die without a fight. He joins us to talk about how he’s embracing sound formats that are superior to both MP3s and CDs, and he shares his latest solo album, "Tooth of Crime."

The style of music we listen to while having a glass of wine dramatically affects our opinion of how it tastes. Test subjects rated the change in taste by up to 60%. Researcher Adrian North of Heriot Watt University in Scotland, made the link between wine and song and he joins us today. Also joining us is Lettie Teague , the executive wine editor of Food & Wine magazine; she’s also the author of several books on wine including Educating Peter. Our blog : John Schaefer on the days of wine and (Guns 'n') Roses Music Recommendations (from Montes Premium Wines in Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon: All Along The Watchtower (Jimi Hendrix), Honky Tonk Woman (Rolling Stones), Live And Let Die (Paul McCartney and Wings), Won't Get Fooled Again (The Who) Chardonnay: Atomic (Blondie), Rock DJ (Robbie Williams), What's Love Got To Do With It (Tina Turner), Spinning Around (Kylie Minogue) Syrah: Nessun Dorma (Puccini), Orinoco Flow (Enya), Chariots Of Fire (Vangelis), Canon (Johann Pachelbel) Merlot: Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay (Otis Redding), Easy (Lionel Ritchie), Over The Rainbow (Eva Cassidy), Heartbeats (José González)

Daily Show regular and bestselling author Lewis Black finds the funny side of religion. He writes about his own religious experiences – including Hebrew school, drug-induced visions, and psychics – in his new book, Me of Little Faith .

Music critic Anastasia Tsioulcas previews this weekend's Bang on a Can Marathon, which will include new-music groups like Alarm Will Sound and Crash Ensemble as well as alt-rockers like Dan Deacon and Marnie Stern.