Over the years, the stage show for
Of Montreal has gotten more and more fanciful, growing to the amazing spectacle that it is today. On the current "Ninjas Prove it" tour, witness frontman Kevin Barnes riding on stage
on a white horse, climbing out of a
shaving cream-filled coffin and even singing while
hanging from a noose, all while a team of friends do
interpretive skits to each song. Touring in support of his latest ear bending thriller,
Skeletal Lamping, Barnes and company have left more than a few mouths agape in the process. When they play on
Letterman Thursday night, look for them to push the envelope as far as they can in the three minutes and limited stage size they have to work with. Folks are still talking about their appearance on Conan almost two years ago, which featured lobster arms, several wardrobe changes, a light saber fight and a lot more -- all within the time limit that talk shows impose on live performers (
see video).
Meanwhile, former President Bill Clinton is this week's guest on Sundance's
Spectacle: Elvis Costello with... (Wednesday,) an appearance that will no doubt give the series a ratings boost. While not as interesting a 'pure' music discussion, Clinton's contributions are still fascinating. Whether it's talking about his idol
Sonny Rollins or the king,
Elvis Presley, Clinton clearly has a love of music. Costello tries to keep him on the subject of music, but Clinton can't help but stray into the world of politics, and the moments where the two meet, are the highlights. Whether it's Richard Nixon's piano playing or the relationship between playing the saxaphone and giving a speech, the line between politics and art gets blurry. In the end, though, Clinton doesn't join in any of the music playing, even though is saxaphone is there. Since when is he content to just sit on the sidelines, anyway?
Elsewhere, the Toronto music collective
Broken Social Scene plays
Letterman on Wednesday night, and will be unknowingly testing the stage limits of the set prior to Of Montreal's appearance. Sometimes contributer Feist isn't currently on tour, so perhaps there's an outside chance she'll lend a hand singing
"7/4 Shoreline"? Perhaps we should start a rumor?
Playlist:
Picks for the weekMonday, December 15ABC:
Jimmy Kimmel Live:
Lady Gaga (REPEAT -
see video)
FUEL:
The Daily Habit:
MatisyahuTuesday, December 16ABC:
Jimmy Kimmel Live:
The CureIFC:
Music Blast/From the Basement:
Sonic Youth,
White Stripes NBC:
Late Night With Conan O'Brien:
Fleet FoxesOVATION:
Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser:
Thelonious MonkOVATION:
Jazz Heroes:
John ColtraneOVATION:
Jazz Heroes:
Wes MontgomeryWednesday, December 17CBS:
Late Show With David Letterman:
Broken Social SceneCBS:
Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson:
Death Cab for CutieFUEL:
The Daily Habit:
The HivesSUNDANCE:
Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...:
Elvis Costello,
President William Jefferson ClintonThursday, December 18CBS:
Late Show With David Letterman:
Of MontrealNBC:
Last Call With Carson Daly:
The CureOVATION:
Montreux Jazz Festival 2005:
Isaac Hayes,
The Roots,
Booker T. & the MG's,
Solomon Burke,
Billy PrestonFriday, December 19FUEL:
The Daily Habit:
FlobotsOVATION:
Jazz Heroes:
Dizzy GillespieSaturday, December 20PBS:
Austin City Limits:
Bloc Party,
Ghostland Observatory
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.
