Monday, December 25, 2006

Ear on TV: Week of December 25

It's rerun city this week, but at least powers-that-be cherry-picked some of the better ones to televise again. But if you're looking for something new this week, look no further the Austin City Limits, which has a dream double-billing of The Racontuers and Cat Power.

The Racontuers are led by White Stripes frontman Jack White, along with power-pop singer-songwriter Brendan Benson and the rhythm section from the Blues revival band The Greenhornes. I may be the only one that thinks this, but Jack White seems to play a lot more interesting music when he's not donning the red and white, with The White Stripes. His work with Loretta Lynn on 2004's Van Lear Rose was epic, and the songwriting collaboration with Benson is like two great tastes that taste great together. Meanwhile, Chan Marshall of Cat Power is backed by some great Memphis studio musicians, many of whom backed Al Green in the 1970s. I've heard from a reliable source that her performance is transcending, which makes it a 'don't miss' event.

Monday, December 25
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Lady Sovereign (RERUN)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Silversun Pickups (RERUN)
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Isaac Hayes (RERUN)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Ben Kweller (RERUN)
Tuesday, December 26
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Lupe Fiasco w/ Jill Scott (RERUN)
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Cheap Trick (RERUN)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Fiona Apple (RERUN)
Wednesday, December 27
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Common (RERUN)
Thursday, December 28
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Akon (RERUN)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Decemberists (RERUN)
Friday, December 29
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Beck (RERUN)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Ludacris (RERUN)
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Wilco (RERUN)
Saturday, December 30
PBS: Austin City Limits: The Racontuers, Cat Power

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, I totally agree - Jack White is making incredible music with his bandmates.
What up with the man on the keys? Never seen/heard him before - he (Dan Furtila as credited in the PBS vidclip) rocks the stage but doesn't bow to the crowd. No respect for the keyman??
~~~

Shawn Anderson said...

After watching it, I'm a bit disappointed that in the editing, they decided to concentrate on Jack and pretty much left Brendan Benson out in the cold.