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Video: Sondheim Talks "Sweeney" (Part 3)

In the Nonesuch Journal's final episode from Stephen Sondheim's discussion of Sweeney Todd, the composer expresses a preference for singing actors (over acting singers) and has high praise for all of the actors in the film, beginning with Johnny Depp's "extraordinary" performance in the title role.

Check the Sweeney Todd page on nonesuch.com early next week for more from this interview with Stephen Sondheim and to hear three full tracks of the actors on the film's soundtrack.

Video: Sondheim Talks "Sweeney" (Part 2)

In the second installment of the Stephen Sondheim interview on the making of Sweeney Todd, the composer discusses some of the major inspirations behind the musical (think film) and puts to rest one longstanding misconception about the work. In the end, though, it could all be summed up in one very basic principle; says Sondheim: "All I wanted to do was scare an audience."

For Part 1 of this interview from yesterday's Nonesuch Journal, click here. Check back tomorrow for more.

Video: Sondheim Talks "Sweeney" in Nonesuch Journal Exclusive

Stephen Sondheim recently sat down for an interview to discuss the forthcoming film version of his 1979 musical masterpiece, Sweeney Todd. Over the next few days, leading up to the December 18 Nonesuch Records release of the film's soundtrack, the Nonesuch Journal will bring you exclusive video footage of the composer's candid take on Tim Burton's adaptation of his beloved (and very bloody) work.

In this first segment, Sondheim comments on the ins and outs of putting this "slasher musical" on screen. "Unlike all other movies of stage musicals that I know," he says, "this really is an attempt to take the material of the stage musical and completely transform it into a movie."

Stay tuned to the Nonesuch Journal in the coming days for exclusive clips from this interview with Stephen Sondheim.

You can also get a feel for the blood in the film's crimson-soaked opening credit sequence now playing at broadwayworld.com.

LinkTV Site Features Caetano Veloso, Amadou & Mariam Video

In this week's sparkling new 40th Anniversary edition of Rolling Stone, the magazine calls readers' attention to linktv.org/worldmusic, the international nonprofit network LinkTV 's site for on-demand streaming music videos, interviews, and documentaries on music and musicians from around the world.

Among the site's featured materials are concert footage of Malian singers Amadou & Mariam performing songs from their smash CD Dimanche à Bamako in Paris and a documentary feature that, in the words of its host, "looks at Brazil and its music through the eyes and voice of it greatest songwriter and poet, Caetano Veloso."

To watch Amadou & Mariam in concert, click here.

To see the site's documentary on Caetano, click here.

Video: Wilco "Austin City Limits" Sneak Peek

As reported yesterday, Wilco's latest performance at Austin City Limits will air on PBS stations across the country this Saturday. You can now catch a sneak peek of the band's ACL performance of "Impossible Germany" from Sky Blue Sky below, thanks to wilcoworld.net:

Video: Randy Newman Has "A Few Words"

With the song "A Few Words in Defense of Our Country," Randy Newman puts the current state of the union into context, as only he can do. He published the lyrics from the song in a New York Times op-ed piece earlier this year in response to the George Bush's own State of the Union address.

Watch Randy perform "A Few Words" here:

Read the complete lyrics at randynewman.com.

Wilco: Prairie Home Companion & Videos from "Sky Blue Sky"

Wilco performed live on Minnesota Public Radio’s A Prairie Home Companion this past Saturday. Click to listen to the show.

Watch "Shake It Off", the trailer for the DVD that comes with the deluxe edition of Sky Blue Sky:

Watch "What Light" from Sky Blue Sky:

New Video from Laura Veirs: "Cast a Hook in Me"

Watch the new video for Laura's song "Cast a Hook in Me" from Saltbreakers: