Ear on TV: Week of October 6

It was 35 years ago that Lou Reed's dark masterpiece, Berlin, was released to a collective "huh?". While critics weren't sure what to make of it, the album's story of paranoia, addiction, and suicide functioned as a soundtrack for many young people going through hard times, including the future painter-turned-director Julian Schnabel (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly). Over the years, perception of the album has evolved to it widely being considered Reed's masterpiece, and yet Reed had never performed the album live. Enter Schnabel, who in 2006 talks his idol into performing the album live, capturing the proceedings for concert film, Lou Reed's Berlin, culled together together the five nights Reed performed the album at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn, New York.

To support the release of the corresponding album, Berlin Live at St. Anns Warehouse (10/21/2008,) Reed will perform "Caroline Says, Pt. II" (download from Matador) on Letterman Friday night, and I'll be backed by an orchestra and possibly the Brooklyn Youth Chorus and singer Antony Hegarty (Antony & the Johnsons,) who sing backup on the song in the film and album. Reed's never been the greatest of vocalists, but the contrast of his rasp with the lush background in these arrangements is quite striking and actually improves upon the original in many ways. I, for one, am excited to see how Reed's (and Schnabel's) big production translates onto the small stage and screen of Letterman.

Meanwhile, there's Jenny Lewis... or... ah... maybe Death Cab For Cutie? How do you follow up Lou Reed? It's hard to even recommend songwriting legend Jackson Browne, considering that he will be playing at the exact same time Friday, on Leno. I guess it's just time to give Lou his due.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, October 6
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Solange Knowles
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Pretenders
NBC: The Today Show: Alicia Keys
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Katy Perry
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Jenny Lewis
Tuesday, October 7
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Black Kids
IFC: The Henry Rollins Show: Queens of the Stone Age (REPEAT)
NBC: The Today Show: The Pretenders
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: James Taylor
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Death Cab For Cutie
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Kanye West
Wednesday, October 8
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Buddy Guy
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Natasha Bedingfield
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Kanye West
Thursday, October 9
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Foals (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Beck
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Rachael Yamagata
SUNDANCE: Live From Abbey Road: The Hoosiers, The Black Keys, Manu Chao (REPEAT)
Friday, October 10
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Atmosphere (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Lou Reed
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: The Nigthwatchman
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Jackson Browne
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Dead Confederate
Saturday, October 11
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Travis
PBS: Austin City Limits: Bettye LaVette, Pinetop Perkins