Spectacle: A Night of Kings

This week, as expected, featured a lot less music, but the discussion was still riveting, with President Bill Clinton displaying an obvious love of music. Elvis Costello's band this week featured James Burdon, guitarist for Elvis Presley, so the two songs covered this week (both made famous by Presley) were especially sharp. The former President came of age as a music lover in the 50's, so Elvis was a big part of that, but jazz was what he played, so jazz had to play a part, and who better than the Democrat supporter Charlie Haden (Ornette Coleman) whose Liberation Music Orchestra combined jazz and politics. He performs here with Pat Metheny on "Is This America?" which was written as a response to the handling of Hurricane Katrina.

It was a night of kings, besides Costello and Clinton, Elvis Presley and Al "He's the King" Hirt get a lot of love on the night, even though we don't hear any of the former's legendary trumpet in the proceedings. And who would've though N.W.A. would get some love as well?

Spectacle: Elvis Costello with... - Episode 1.03 (Bill Clinton)
1. "Mystery Train" - Elvis Presley - sung by Elvis Costello w/ James Burdon on guitar
2. "Baby, Let's Play House" - Elvis Presley - sung by Elvis Costello w/ James Burdon on guitar
3. "Don't Stop" - Fleetwood Mac
4. "City of New Orleans" - Steve Goodwin
5. "For Once in my Life" - Stevie Wonder
6. "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free" - Nina Simone
7. "In My Life" - The Beatles
8. "Is This America?" - Charlie Haden w/ Pat Metheny

Previously: Clinton on Spectacle Preview, Spectacle: A Less Blue Lou (Reed)