Ear on TV: Week of 11.01.10: Elvis Costello

In this day and age where concept known as "the album" is on a slow death march, an old pro like Elvis Costello knows you got to put your face in front of the people to sell your product. To that end, Costello has planned television appearances every day this week. He's going to be on Letterman (Monday), PBS' The Artists Den (Tuesday), MSNBC's Morning Joe (Wednesday), The Colbert Report (Thursday) and Fallon (Friday).

The album he's so *tirelessly hawking this week is National Ransom, his 33rd such release. Out this Tuesday, the album takes a bit of the bluegrass Costello tried out on 2009's Secret, Profane & Sugarcane, expanding it into much noisier territory. T-Bone Burnett (producer) and the Nashville superstars he collected as the Sugarcanes are on board again, but so are Imposters bandmates Steve Nieve and Pete Thomas, plus big name guest turns from Vince Gill, Buddy Miller, Leon Russell and longtime collaborator Marc Ribot.

*Costello is so hands on with this album promotion that he even interviewed himself for a series of posts leading up to the album. With no Mary-Louise Parker this time to fawn over him, he relies on himself for, um, self-gratification.

Elsewhere, it will be interesting to see the child-like wonder of singer Jonathan Richman paired up with the similar child-like wonder of talk show host Jimmy Fallon on Monday night. Unlike most popular man-child personalities out there today (see Jackass) both Richman and Fallon share a level of sincerity that makes their boyish enthusiasm hard to resist. Richman's been at it now for 40 years, having started the legendary Modern Lovers back in 1970, and throughout his solo career, he's never lost the spontaneity that he started with. There's a better than good chance that Fallon can talk Richman into performing an old Modern Lovers classic, if only as a web-only exclusive. We all want "Pablo Picasso," but will happily settle for the more likely "Road Runner".

Finally, Yo Gabba Gabba, the brightly colored television show that attracts stoners as well as children, has a new episode on Friday featuring a guest appearance from The Flaming Lips (the brightly colored band that attracts kids as well as stoners).

Picks for the week
Monday, November 1
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Good Charlotte
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Elvis Costello
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Donavon Frankenreiter
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Duffy
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Jonathan Richman
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: School of Seven Bells
TBS: Lopez Tonight: One Republic
Tuesday, November 2
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Bettye LaVette
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Murderdolls
IFC: 360 Sessions: Corinne Bailey Rae
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Alberta Cros (REPEAT)
Wednesday, November 3
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Huey Lewis
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Dr. Dog
CURRENT: Kurt & Courtney: Nirvana, Hole
FUEL: The Daily Habit: As I Lay Dying
MSNBC: Morning Joe: Elvis Costello
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: FaR*eAst Movement
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Kid Cudi with St. Vincent
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Built to Spill
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Soulja Boy
Thursday, November 4
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Paul Weller
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Andrew W.K.
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Aaron Neville
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Duffy

NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Fanfarlo, Mark Ronson
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Elvis Costello
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Good Charlotte
Friday, November 5
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Secret Sisters
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Elvis Costello
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Two Door Cinema Club
NICKELODEON: Yo Gabba Gabba: The Flaming Lips
PBS: Tavis Smiley: Huey Lewis
Saturday, November 6
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Bruno Mars (REPEAT)
PBS: Austin City Limits: Steve Martin, Sarah Jarosz

Treme "Meet de Boys on the Battlefront": Pride on Bourbon St

"Hey, which way to Bourbon Street, lil' buddy?"
"Uh... walk out those doors marked exit. Yeah, that's why they call it the Inn on Bourbon Street."

The second go'round for Treme had a theme of the divide between how residents view New Orleans, and how they view the tourist's New Orleans. It requires a certain amount of pride to be swallowed to work on Bourbon Street. "There's pride on Bourbon Street," everyone tells Antoine, to which he dryly responds "that's what I hear." Street performers Sonny and Annie (played by New Orleans violinist Lucia Micarelli) exhibit similar pride swallowing in performing for tourists, going down smoothly with Annie, and regurgitated several times by the 'principled' Sonny. Even a native son like Delmond is given a bit of tourist treatment by New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint, as Delmon is considered more a New Yorker now, as far as everyone else is concerned. That scene was a bit of a re-enactment of the sessions that occurred in New Orleans with Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint in the aftermath of Katrina.

Meanwhile, the hotel, the church and parents set off a panic button when the Wisconsin youth don't show up in their hotel room.... contrast that against the foot-dragging in the search for David. Folks care about New Orleans music... and the people of New Orleans?

Here's a few of the songs that were played in the episode. As usual, I'll add more when the light hath been shown upon them (or something).

Playlist: Treme - Episode 1.02
1. "Walking with the Spirit" - Coco Robicheaux
2. "Meet the Boyz on the Battlefront" - Anders Osborne
3. "Careless Love" (Sonny Terry version) - Michiel Huisman & Lucia Micarelli
4. "When the Saints Go Marching In" (Rebirth Marching Band version) - Lucia Micarelli & Michiel Huisman
5. "When the Saints Go Marching In" - Dr. John
6. "Brandenburg Concerto No. 5" - Cologne Chamber Orchestra
7. "Waltz For Pud" - Tony Green
8. "I Hope You're Coming Back to New Orleans" - target="_blank">New Orleans Jazz Vipers - live at the Spotted Cat
9. "Long Hard Journey Home" - The Radiators
10. "Ya Ya" - Lee Dorsey
11. "Tears, Tears And More Tears" - Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint
12. "Delores' Boyfriend" - Allen Toussaint
13. "Up for the Downstroke" - Parliament (Baptiste playing with JT Ka-Nection Band at Bourbon St strip club)
14. "Blackbird Special" (Rebirth Brass Band version linked here) - Galactic
15. "Little Old Money Maker" - The Meters
16. "Tremé Mardi Gras" - Kermit Ruffins
17. "Go Go" - Galactic
18. "Moore Women Shuffle" - Joe Krown
19. "St. Louis Blues" - The Boswell Sisters
20. "Shallow Water, Oh Mama" - The Golden Eagles (Clarke Peters & friend during practice)
21. "New Orleans" - Willy DeVille (Gary U.S. Bonds live version)

Previously: "Do You Know What it Means" (Episode 1.01)

Spectacle - Bruce Springsteen, Part 1 & 2

Spectacle: Elvis Costello with... closed out it second season with the kind of episode I wish they'd been doing all along. In fact, the season was sandwiched with episodes of that stature. Of course, you can't get U2 and Bruce Springsteen for every episode. My hope is that enough artists, make that legends, think it's a worthwhile enough venture to be on the show that Elvis Costello has to come back for another season. All it takes is one Bob Dylan here, a Paul McCartney there... maybe the Kinks rumored reunion? I'm just saying...

Playlist: Spectacle - Episode 2.06-2.07: Bruce Springsteen, Pt. 1 & 2
01. "She's the One" - Bruce Springsteen: sung by Costello as intro
02. "Wild Billy's Circus Story" - Bruce Springsteen
03. "The River" - Bruce Springsteen
04. "American Skin (41 Shots)" - Bruce Springsteen
05. "I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down" - Elvis Costello (Sam & Dave cover): Springsteen and Costello
06. "Radio Nowhere / Radio Radio" - Springsteen/Costello mashup
07. "Oh, Pretty Woman" - Roy Orbison: Springsteen & Costello
08. "Seeds" - Bruce Springsteen
09. "Black Ladder" - Patti Scialfa: Sung by Costello
10. "Galveston Bay" - Bruce Springsteen
11. "The Rising" - Bruce Springsteen

Previously: Lamontagne, Lovett & Prine

Ear on TV: Week of 01.18.10: Spoon Sends Off Conan

Breaking up is hard to do. Just ask Conan O'Brien and NBC, or, better yet, the band Spoon. The Britt Daniel-led quartet has written a lot of songs on the subject, including a good chunk of their latest release, Transference, which is out this week. So it's appropriate that the band plays what might be Conan's last hurrah on The Tonight Show Tuesday* night, part of the host's send-off week.

*At the time of publish, Tuesday night was the last scheduled night for The Tonight Show. NBC is expected to make an official announcement today on as to the details of the talk show's future, with O'Brien's departure all but set for this week.

As a follow up to their biggest selling album, 2007's Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, Transference will probably confuse a few of those new fans as it's Spoon in the raw, with a couple of the songs even remaining in demo form and only a few others that recall the band at their catchiest. The band will likely be playing one of those songs, "Written in Reverse," Tuesday night on The Tonight Show, and if you look at the song through the right lens, you could pretend it's about NBC's Jeff Zucker: "No nothing was planned / You just can't help yourself / Some people are so easily shuffled and dealt." (Of course, they've written the ultimate vindictive song about a corporate glad hander with "The Agony of Laffitte," blistering written about A&R man Ron Laffitte, then with Elektra, featuring the lyric, "It's like I knew two of you, man / The one before and after we shook hands.")

Meanwhile, Spectacle's second season is winding down, when it seems it had just begun. The final two episodes are an edited down version of the four-hour love fest Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello put on last year at the famous Apollo Theater. The two spent so much time talking and playing the music they love, that there was just no way to edit all the magic down to one hour. At one point, Spingsteen posits "The greatest rock ’n’ roll musicians are desperate men," but the only thing desperate on this night was the need to hear more from these two legends of rock.



Finally, the Baltimore dream pop duo Beach House make their network television debut on Fallon Friday night, performing their lead single "Norway" in support of their third full length release, Teen Dream (out January 26, 2010). Awareness of the band has risen on the heels of singer Victoria Legrand's collaboration with Grizzly Bear and participation in the soundtrack to Twilight Saga: New Moon, but the majestic sound that is Teen Dream should make a splash all its own.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, January 18
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Really Doe (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Charlotte Gainsbourg was late scratch, instead The Heavy (backed by the Dap Kings horns)
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Steve Jones
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Cold War Kids
NBC: The Jay Leno Show: Ringo Starr with Ben Harper
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Cribs
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Weezer (REPEAT)
Tuesday, January 19
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Swell Season
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Suffocation
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Spoon
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Mountain Goats
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Xx (REPEAT)
Wednesday, January 20
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Pearl
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: James Taylor and Carole King
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Growlers
IFC: Dinner With the Band: Owen Pallett/Final Fantasy (REPEAT)
SUNDANCE: Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...: Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen (Part 1)
Thursday, January 21
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Blind Boys of Alabama with Lou Reed
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Suicide Silence
Friday, January 22
ALL NETWORKS: Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief: Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, U2's Bono and the Edge, Coldplay, Keith Urban, Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Sting, John Legend
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Heartless Bastards
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Heavy (bumped up to Monday)
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: The Hotrats
FOX: Lopez Tonight: Omarion
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Beach House
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Gossip (REPEAT)
Saturday, January 23
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Rihanna (REPEAT)
PBS: Austin City Limits: The Avett Brothers, Heartless Bastards

Spectacle - Lamontagne, Lovett & Prine

After several episodes featuring far too much Elvis Costello and not enough of his guests, this episode seems to find just the right balance. I was still left wanting more (of John Prine, especially), but at least I didn't feel like telling Elvis to STFU.

The music was great, and I was so glad to hear Prine singing "Lake Marie." The story of how he wrote the song illustrates how songwriting can be as intensive as writing a novel. Ray Lamotagne's voice is always incredible, and the version of "Henry Nearly Killed Me (It's a Shame)", with Elvis burning the axe, stood out even more thanks to the primarily acoustic surroundings. Fitting that they end with a Townes Van Zandt song ("Loretta"), as all the artists featured owe a bit to the Texas legend. Next week, it's Bruce Springsteen, part 1 of 2.

Playlist: Spectacle - Episode 2.05 (John Prine, Lyle Lovett, Ray Lamontagne)
1. "I'm Ahead If I Can Quit While I'm Behind" - Jim Ford: Elvis performs as introduction
2. "Lake Marie" - John Prine
3. "Natural Forces" - Lyle Lovett
4. "Jolene" - Ray Lamontagne
5. "Henry Nearly Killed Me (It's a Shame)" - Ray Lamontagne: performed with Costello
6. "Loretta" - Townes Van Zandt: Prine, Lamontagne and Lovett on guitar/trade vocals

Previously: Elvis Costello interviewed by Mary Louise Parker

Making a Spectacle of myself

I thought Mary-Louise Parker did alright job turning the tables on Elvis Costello, right up until she closed her eyes while Costello crooned "Town Cryer," at which point Diana Krall took her off their Christmas card list.

Like I said a couple days ago, there's just been too much Costello this season, so this oddly felt like a normal episode, except Elvis did all the singing. While Parker was fine asking questions, Costello stepped on her toes often, cutting her off and directing the conversation to where he wanted it to go. Would've liked it more if Parker held his feet to the fire, or at least pushed for more on songwriting with Macca or more on the differences of parenting back then and now, or just about anything. But it's Costello's show, so...

Playlist: Spectacle - Episode 2.04 (Elvis Costello)
1. "(I Don't to Go to) Chelsea"
2. "Motel Matches" (written with George Jones in mind)
3. "Town Cryer"
4. "Brilliant Mistake"
5. "So Like Candy" (written with Paul McCartney)
6. "I Still Have That Other Girl"
7. "I Threw It All Away" (Bob Dylan cover)

Previously: Neko Case, Ron Sexsmith, Jesse Winchester & Sheryl Crow

Spectacle - Bono & The Edge: Get On Your Roots

I covered much of this episode already in my preview, but watching it again after seeing some of the other upcoming episodes, I'm struck by how much space Costello allows Bono & The Edge to work in conversation. A lot of it has to do with editing, but upcoming episodes can feel a bit claustrophobic in comparison, thanks to a parade of artists rolling through in some episodes, with little time to spend in each one.

In part, I think it's a reaction to what didn't work last season, namely the hour-long episodes dedicated to the likes of James Taylor, Renee Fleming and even Tony Bennett. Instead, full episodes are only going to the big boys, U2 & Bruce Springsteen (The Boss actually gets two!), while the 'b-team' time gets divied up.

"You're right to say our thing came from nowhere" - Bono

I always love to hear artists name their influences, and the Krautrock mention (Neu, Kraftwerk sort of undermines "come from nowhere" bit, as that movement might be a rare blindspot for Costello. Unlike the other UK mentions: The Banshees and Echo & the Bunnymen (Crocodiles).

Aside from the Sinatra story, the 'lack of roots' bit that the band had to build after already making it was the most fascinating thing brought up. U2 was a band trying to capture the sound in their head, which isn't traditional songwriting. That they essentially started over at one point, to get 'roots' and take a more traditional approach to songwriting, is probably what kept them from recycling their initial outputs. It also cost them some earlier fans were more excited by the tightrope act. I admit, it was more thrilling when they were reaching, but we're all getting older, right? Weddings, bar mitzvahs and funerals everywhere I go....

Miscellaneous debris:
"I think intimacy is the new punk rock, myself." - Bono
"The enemies became more interesting in the 90's... you turned on yourself... and that became a more interesting enemy." - Bono
One of next week's featured guests, Ron Sexsmith, got a bit of face time.

Playlist: Spectacle - Episode 2.02 (U2)
1. "Mysterious Ways" - U2 (performed by Elvis Costello & the Imposters as intro)
2. "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out of" - U2 (performed with Elvis Costello & the Imposters)
3. "Stay (Faraway, So Close)" - U2
4. "Two Shots Of Happy, One Shot Of Sad" - U2 (written for Frank Sinatra, ended being performed by Nancy Sinatra)
5. "Pump it Up" / "Get On Your Boots" / "Subterranean Homesick Blues" (mash-up performed by U2, Elvis Costello & the Imposters)

Previously: Ear on TV calendar (preview of episode)

Ear on TV: Week of 11.16.09: My Morning Jacket

When My Morning Jacket played their legendary performance in the rain at Bonaroo last year, who knew that it would be the inspiration for an episode of American Dad? Specifically, the 8-minute long rendition of Motley Crue's "Home Sweet Home," featuring comedian Zach Galifianakis dressed as Little Orphan Annie. In the audience for the set was American Dad co-creator Mike Barker, and he's pulled not only My Morning Jacket in for the episode this Sunday (titled, "My Morning Straightjacket"), but also Zach Galifanakis, who provides the voice of an MMJ superfan.

The plot has Stan becoming a roadie for MMJ, eventually devolving into an Almost Famous parody, which feels slightly off, in that we remember MMJ appearing in a different Cameron Crowe movie (Elizabethtown).Not only is MMJ getting the animated treatment for the episode, but six of their songs will also be featured, which has to be some kind of record for a half-hour series. To capitalize on the appearance -- in what appears to be a growing trend -- a special digital EP will be released, featuring the songs and several bits of dialogue. All we need now is an animated Zach Galifanakis in a Little Orphan Annie dress to really cap it off.

Meanwhile, the much ballyhooed Lady Gaga makes an appearance on Gossip Girl this week, and while some wonder which song she'll be singing (latest single “Bad Romance”), most the anticipation lies in what she'll be wearing (performing in a 30 ft dress!). Lady Gaga serves as the musical backdrop to the messy emotional leftovers from last week's threesome. "Bad Romance" indeed.

Elsewhere, folks are still talking about the 18-song set that Pearl Jam performed at the taping for Austin City Limits, and this Saturday, PBS viewers will finally get a chance to see what folks were raving about. Hard to tell what of the two-hour set will make it into the edited hour, but some of the highlights include opening with a cover of Austin native Daniel Johnston ("Walking the Cow"), a cover of The Police song "Driven to Tears," and Ben Harper joining the band on slide guitar for "Red Mosquito." (Go behind the scenes with a piece done for the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.)

Finally, Elvis Costello is making several appearances this week (The Colbert Report, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and The Early Show), to promote the DVD release of the first season of his excellent talk show, Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..., out this week. That also reminds us that the Sundance series comes back for its second season in just a few short weeks, and with superstar guests like Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney and U2 in the works, it looks to be an even better season than last year's revelation.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, November 16
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Wyclef Jean with Cyndi Lauper
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: They Might Be Giants tell me they're slated, but sked says Ben Harper
THE CW: Gossip Girl: Lady Gaga
Tuesday, November 17
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: OneRepublic
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Bouncing Souls
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Neko Case, Cheech and Chong
Wednesday, November 18
CBS: The Early Show: Elvis Costello
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Ray Davies
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Wale
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: The Brian Setzer Orchestra
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Avett Brothers
Thursday, November 19
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Elvis Costello
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Leighton Meester
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Obits
Friday, November 20
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Death Cab For Cutie
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Lyle Lovett
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: David Gray
FUEL: The Daily Habit: LMFAO
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Bon Jovi
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Elvis Costello
SUNDANCE: Wetlands Preserved: The Story of an Activist Nightclub: The Roots, Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Moe
Saturday, November 21
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Rod Stewart
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Dave Matthews Band
PBS: Austin City Limits: Pearl Jam
Sunday, November 22
FOX: American Dad: My Morning Jacket

Spectacle - Neko, Macca, U2 & the Boss

As regular readers of this blog know, one of my favorite new shows from last year was Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..., and I doubt anyone was as happy as me to hear back in April news of its renewal.

The first season was a revelation for any music geek, full of not only performances, but fascinating discussions revolving around our love of music. Since it was their first season, some of the music choices felt like they were figuring things out (while the James Taylor, Tony Bennett and Renee Fleming episodes had their moments, there was also periods of watching paint dry).

The lineup this year is much better. Staring with U2 and ending with Macca is a pretty good way to go, and you've that tasty Springsteen, John Prine, Nick Lowe, Richard Thompson middle.

While episode dates haven't been divulged (other than it starting in December), here's the rumored order of the performances that make the initial six episode order:
EP201 - Bono, The Edge
EP202 - Neko Case, Jesse Winchester, Sheryl Crow, Ron Sexsmith
EP203 - Bruce Springsteen
EP204 - Ray LaMontagne, Lyle Lovett, John Prine
EP205 - Levon Helm, Allen Toussaint, Nick Lowe, Richard Thompson
EP206 - Paul McCartney

UPDATE: Season One, featuring Lou Reed, The Police, Elton John and more, will be released on DVD November 3.
(hat tip to Bumpershine)

Previously: Spectacle Renewal

NBC's Must-See Music-filled finales

I finally found myself laughing at Parks & Recreation, and it's their (short) season finale. Six episodes seems to be the going rate these days (see Dollhouse) for a show to get their bearings, and while NBC has flailed w/ drama, they've shown incredible patience in allowing their comedies to develop despite early struggles (see The Office, 30 Rock, etc.). And while this P&S episode was leaps and bounds better than the feeling out process we've been witnessing, I wonder if much of it was due to a setting change, specifically getting out of "the office."

Actor Chris Pratt, who plays Andy Dwyer, had mostly been underused thus far this season (which is understandable given that his character is purely peripheral to the central story,) and he finally gets a chance to shine. We'd known that Andy had a band (last I heard it was Just the Tip... or was it 3-Skin?) but who knew they were so... um... together. Scarecrow Boat already has a website (what, no Mouse Rat?) up with free downloads of all the songs they performed in the episode, and a bio description that's nearly apt: What if Dave Matthews joined the Counting Crows?

Meanwhile 30 Rock put together a star-studded benefit song, "Kidney Now." Bio-dad needs kidney, Jack pulls some favors (and blackmail - Elvis Costello, "or should I say Declan McManus -- international art thief) and presto! It's a "We Are the World" spoof, complete w/ original participants Michael McDonald and Cyndi Lauper. Also featured: Mike D and Adam Horovitz of Beastie Boys and blink-and-you-missed-it Rhett Miller:

Spectacle: Pagliachi of Motown

The season finale of Spectacle was a fine demonstration of just how far host Elvis Costello came along in his interviews. I've seen a few interviews with Smokey Robinson, and while he's a charismatic fellow, he's usually pretty reserved. Elvis, through his questions and comments, was able to get Smokey to not only tell a lot of stories, but also to get him talking passionately enough about something (racism) to say "bullsh*t" on television. He had to stop and ask first (so cute!) before letting the word fly, of course. Smokey also brought out the best of Elvis' performances this season, pulling off great performances of both the more obscure "No More Tearstained Makeup," (video below) which Smokey wrote for Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, and then later, a great version of the "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game", which Smokey wrote for The Marvelettes (video).

On top of that, the Discovered commercial interlude tonight featured the great SF band Thao and the Get Down Stay Down performing "Bag of Hammers". It was a good ending to a fine season, but it might also be the last. Costello confesses that schedule conflicts might make it difficult for him to be back for another season. With all the magic that happened this season, it's hard to believe there might not be any more of it in the future.



Playlist: Spectacle: Elvis Costello... - Smokey Robinson
1. "Going to a Go-Go" - Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - intro
2. "No More Tearstained Makeup" - Martha Reeves and the Vandellas - Elvis performs
3. "The Tracks of My Tears" - Smokey Robinson
4. "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game" - The Marvelettes
5. "Don't Know Why" - Norah Jones - Smokey covers on new album
6. "Just My Soul Responding" - Smokey Robinson
7. "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down" - Elvis Costello
8. "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" - Smokey Robinson & the Miracles

Ear on TV: Week of February 23 - Smokey on Spectacle Finale

I'd like to make the suggestion that Elvis Costello keep his day job. I'm of course talking about his job hosting the incredibly fascinating talk/music show Spectacle on Sundance, which has it's first season finale this Wednesday, featuring Smokey Robinson as the guest. There were a couple misteps along the way (James Taylor was a snoozer,) but Costello got really good at the interview portion in the shows taped towards the end*. Costello puts those skills to good use this week interviewing The King of Motown, getting to sing a few songs with is idol along the way. Here's hoping Spectacle gets picked up for second season soon.

*This oddly coincides with the point in the series when he started wearing glittery hats -- are they his secret weapon for interviews, perhaps making his guests feel less nervous through distraction?

Elsewhere, the kid's channel Nickelodeon has found itself barraged with a letter-writing campaign, as viewers are clamoring for them to show more episodes from the second season of Yo Gabba Gabba that have as yet gone unaired. This Friday we'll finally get to see a new one, as part of Nick's "Filthy Friday," for which musical guest Chromeo will perform a song they wrote for the occasion called "Nice and Clean." Just remember kids, don't take your 80's synch keyboards in the bathtub with you.

Outside of that, it's pretty much reruns all week, as the hosts go on vacation following Conan's big farewell week. Some highlights of repeats include Conor Oberst debuting a new song ("Nicorette") on Conan (re-airing Wednesday) and Glen Campbell reaches back and sings a touching version of his hit "Rhinestone Cowboy" on Ferguson (re-airing Thursday).

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, February 23
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Black Tide
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Nikka Costa (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: LMFAO (REPEAT)
Tuesday, February 24
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Steve Martin (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Adele (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Ida Maria (REPEAT)
Wednesday, February 25
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Living Things
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Glasvegas (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Conor Oberst (REPEAT)
SUNDANCE: Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...: Elvis Costello, Smokey Robinson
Thursday, February 26
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Glen Campbell (REPEAT)
COMEDY CENTRAL: The Colbert Report: Kris Kristofferson
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Bronx
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Boz Scaggs (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Yelle (REPEAT)
Friday, February 27
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: The Knux (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: B-Real
NICK: Yo Gabba Gabba: Chromeo
Saturday, February 28
VH1: Storytellers: Kanye West

Spectacle: Chameleon

Don't have much time to spend on this, what with the three L's to get to (Lost, Life and Life on Mars) but it's always a treat to hear Herbie Hancock's hands on the ivory. And while there was less story telling (this is jazz so the songs are looooong!) the content more than made up for it. Miles on the phone, Mongo on the congas, and Herbie's confessed ignorance of music videos ("Rockit") were well worth making my night of tv watching that much longer.



But one of the best parts of this episode had nothing to do with Spectacle, and that was the usually boring "Discovered" interlude sponsored by Dell, as it featured Department of Eagles doing a live performance "In Ear Park" and talking about it's origins.

Playlist: Spectacle: Elvis Costello with... - Episode 10 (Herbie Hancock)
1. "Chameleon" - Herbie Hancock - Introductions
2. "Embraceable You" - Herbie Hancock (Gershwin)
3. "Watermelon Man" - Herbie Hancock (1962)
4. "Watermelon Man" - Herbie Hancock (w/ Headhunters) (1973)
5. "Nefertiti" - Miles Davis (Wayne Shorter)
6. "Chan's Song (Never Said)" - Herbie Hancock - from the Oscar winning 'Round Midnight - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
7. "Rockit" - Herbie Hancock
8. "Edith and the Kingpin (w/ Tina Turner)" - Herbie Hancock (Joni Mitchell) - Costello singing (more like Joni than Tina)

Spectacle: Guitar Pull Ups

My consolation prize in not being able to watch Lost (damn you Fisher Communications) is that I can take in some Spectacle. It was in the form of a Johnny Cash style 'guitar pull,' with everyone sharing songs and pleasantries. While several guitars were out of tune there was a few nice moments, like Kristofferson's grizzled delivery of a couple of his classics. But his most well known song, "Me and Bobby McGee," got the group treatment, and suffered from meandering and muttering.

Honestly, though, throughout I found myself pausing the episode repeatedly to try and find some way online to watch/download/mainline the Lost premiere. I'm not in the habit of doing it, but it seems last night was a frustrating affair for the usual downloaders. As of midnight, there was still no proper rip of the first episode, and yet, a ridiculous amount of options for downloading the second episode.

1. "Big River" - Johnny Cash - sung by all
2. "Small Town" - John Mellencamp
3. "How Many Time Have You Broken My Heart" - The Little Willies (video) - Norah Jones music to Hank Williams lyrics
4. "Sunday Morning Coming Down" - Kris Kristofferson
5. "Seven Year Ache" - Rosanne Cash
6. "From Sulfur to Sugarcane" - Elvis Costello (unreleased, written but not used for the film All the King's Men)
7. "Longest Days" - John Mellencamp
8. "April 5th" - Rosanne Cash w/ Elvis Costello, Kris Kristofferson (Unreleased)
9. "Here Comes That Rainbow Again" - Kris Kristofferson
10. "Me and Bobby McGee" - Kris Kristofferson - sung by all

Ear on TV: Week of January 19: LMFAO

If you've shaken your thing in a dance club the last year, the music of LMFAO is surely familiar, be it their self-produced singles like "I'm in Miami, Bitch" and "Lil' Hipster Girl" or remixes for Fergie, Kanye West ("Love Lockdown") and Katy Perry ("Hot n' Cold"). Now signed to Interscope, the Hollywood Hip-Hop duo is finally poised to release an album of their already impressive catalogue of 'hits' (appropriately entitled Party Rock,) to be released next month.

RedFoo and Blu Sky, the stage names of the uncle/nephew combo, aren't waiting around for silly things like release dates to start the party going, though, as they
make their network television debut on Carson Daly this Tuesday. Says RedFoo (the uncle) "We want to be seen as much as possible. We want to be so big that we can't even walk down the street." After enough folks see them perform "I'm in Miami, Bitch," there's a decent chance that they'll get their wish.

Elsewhere, Spectacle this week welcomes singer/songwriters Kris Kristofferson, Rosanne Cash, Norah Jones and John Mellencamp for a good old fashioned "guitar pull," where a group of artists sit in a circle and trade songs and stories. Johnny Cash famously held them, with Kristofferson and Cash's daughter Rosanne were often in attendance. Elvis Costello makes an interesting proxy for the man in black, and I guess having Jones and Mellencamp make the affair a little more consumer friendly.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, January 19
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Broken Social Scene presents Brendan Canning (REPEAT - video)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Japanese Motors
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Q-Tip
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: T.I.
Tuesday, January 20
ABC: The Neighborhood Inaugural Ball: Beyonce, Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, Alicia Keys, Shakira
IFC: The Henry Rollins Show: Sinead O'Connor
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Los Straitjackets
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: LMFAO
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Beyonce
Wednesday, January 21
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Zion I
SUNDANCE: Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...: Elvis Costello, Kris Kristofferson, Rosanne Cash, Norah Jones, John Mellencamp
SYNDICATION: The Ellen Degeneres Show: Beyonce
Thursday, January 22
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Of Montreal (REPEAT - video)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Company of Thieves
Friday, January 23
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Todd Rundgren (REPEAT - video)
Saturday, January 24
NBC: Saturday Night Live: T.I. (REPEAT)
PBS: Austin City Limits: Manu Chao

Ear on TV: Week of January 12: Crooked X

Call it a RockMitzvah. This week is the coming-out party for this metal band of 14-year-olds from Oklahoma, with the release of their self-titled debut tomorrow coinciding with a documentary on MTV. If the doc's title, Start a Band, Rock the World, sounds familiar, that's because it's the tagline for the Rock Band video game, which is no coincidence -- that game was the unlikely vehicle for the band's recording debut, with their first song, "Nightmare," getting placement alongside songs by their heroes like Metallica and KISS.

The documentary follows the rapid rise of CX, who have been playing together since they were ages 10 and 11, having failed at fifth grade football. Their first exposure came when they placed second in a nationwide contest on CBS Early Morning Live. That's where they were first noticed by eventual managers Spencer Proffer and Doc McGhee, who helped launch the careers of KISS, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi and others. That led to tours opening up for KISS, Ted Nugent and, in a bit of irony, getting the honor of being the halftime entertainment at the last Dallas Cowboys game ever at Texas Stadium. They found a way to make it on the football field after all (even if the team imploded before the stadium's scheduled date). The whole week culminates with an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, which is where I guess we find out if they can play.

Meanwhile, singer/songwriter and musical offspring Rufus Wainwright sits in on Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..., in an episode that also features Wainwright's mother, Kate McGarrigle, joining him on stage for a song. While daddy dearest (Loudon Wainwright III) isn't there, he's brought up in discussion, song (Costello performs "New Paint") and by association with the presence of Bill Frisell, who played on Loudon's Here Come the Choppers! Rufus delves into his somewhat troubled past, even touching upon his recovery from meth addiction. It's Costello's best Spectacle yet as he's far more comfortable in the interviewer's chair now. It helps of course that Wainwright seems more than willing to talk about himself (see Lou Reed).

UPDATE: Fleet Foxes is playing Saturday Night Live this week as well, announced shortly after I filed this (as it usually goes).

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, January 12
Mojitos (w/ Cigar) on a beach in Mexico, zzzzz
Tuesday, January 13
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Airborne Toxic Event
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Tom Freund w/ Ben Harper
IFC: The Henry Rollins Show: The Stooges (REPEAT)
MTV: Start a Band, Rock the World (documentary): Crooked X
Wednesday, January 14
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Brett Dennen
NBC: Late Night With Conan O'Brien: Patty Loveless
SUNDANCE: Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...: Elvis Costello, Rufus Wainwright
Thursday, January 15
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Crooked X
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Mute Math
Friday, January 16
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Delta Spirit
Saturday, January 17
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Fleet Foxes
PBS: Austin City Limits: Foo Fighters

Spectacle: Who's Got the Biggest Ego?

It's amazing they fit all those egos on the stage at once.

We already knew about Sting's infamous ego, and Costello has shrunk considerably since marrying the female Harry Connick, Jr, but it still immense, according to sources. But I always thought Stewart Copeland's occasional foray into the ego field was ironic, as he usually comes off as a sort of lovable geek (like during the reunion tour press conferences). But here, he comes off like a blowhard. I'm sure he was both excited and felt comfortable from touring with Costello to give us, perhaps, too much information at too loud a volume.

Not sure why there's two sets of drums and two bassists needed on stage at the end. It did allow Sting to noodle up the neck during "Watching the Detectives," so there's that.

Playlist: Spectacle: Elvis Costello with... - Episode 1.06 (The Police)
1. "Every Breath You Take" - The Police - sang by Elvis Costello
2. "Demolition Man" - The Police - Introductions
3. "Weird Nightmare" - Elvis Costello - performed by Elvis Costello and Andy Summers
4. "Message in a Bottle" - The Police - Live clip from concert DVD
5. "Roxanne" - Sting
6. "Alison" - Elvis Costello - Elvis with Sting
7. "Flow My Tears" - Sting - Elvis with Sting
8. "Watching the Detectives" - Elvis Costello
9. "Walking on the Moon" - The Police
10. "The Sunshine of My Love" - Cream



Previously: A Night of Kings (Clinton on Spectacle)

I'm in Mexico right now... posts have been written ahead of time and scheduled, so forgive the lack of response