Ear on TV: Week of 08.10.09: Woodstock

This week marks the 40th anniversary for Woodstock, so I probably don't have to tell you there's plenty of things to watch and/or buy in association with the event. We're of course concerned with the small screen, and VH1 teamed up with the *History Channel to create documentary Woodstock: Now and Then, airing on Friday night to celebrate the event. Filmed by Oscar-winning director Barbara Kopple (Harlan County, U.S.A. and American Dream), Now and Then finds its sweet spot in the interviews with the average attendee. Decades later, the ex-hippies are grandparents who still have some of that festival spirit left in them.

*The documentary also airs on the History Channel on the following Monday, August 17).

Also seeing release this week is a six-CD compilation, roughly one-fifth the total music played during the festival (check out the History Channel impressive set list). Woodstock - 40 Years On: Back to Yasgur's Farm runs chronologically, giving equal weight to forgotten artists like Sweetwater, Bert Sommer and Tim Hardin as they do an act like The Who. Rhino Records had threatened to do a 30-CD compilation, but will have to do for now -- need to save something for the 50th Anniversary in ten years, right?

Finally, in a week where a good chunk of the talkies are in rerun, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis sure stand out. Heck, even in a normal week, their 1940's & 1950's sound would stand out, especially coming from such young siblings from England. Kitty, Daisy and Lewis Durham (ages 16, 21 and 19 respectively) finally see the release of their self-titled debut in the states this week, after attaining a mostly cult following in the past year after its release in the UK. It helps that Coldplay's Chris Martin hand picked them to open for the UK superstars on their US tour, otherwise we might have had to wait even longer for their throwback rockabilly recording to make it to our ears. I guess that is something we can thank Chris Martin for.

Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, August 10
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Earthless
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Lyle Lovett
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Black Kids (REPEAT)
Tuesday, August 11
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Elvis Costello (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Bonnie Raitt & Taj Mahal
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Harlem
NBC: The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Cobra Starship w/ Estelle
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Bat For Lashes
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Green Day (REPEAT)
Wednesday, August 12
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Chester French (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Kitty, Daisy & Lewis
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Green Day (REPEAT)
SUNDANCE: Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...: Elvis Costello, Kris Kristofferson, Roseanne Cash, Norah Jones (REPEAT)
Thursday, August 13
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Diane Birch (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Green Day (REPEAT)
Friday, August 14
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: MSTRKRFT w/ John Legend (REPEAT)
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Lacuna Coil
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Flo Rida
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Foxboro Hot Tubs (REPEAT)
VH1: Woodstock: Now and Then: Jimi Hendrix, Richie Havens, The Who, Sly and the Family Stone, Santana, etc.
Saturday, August 15
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Coldplay (REPEAT)
PBS: Austin City Limits: Manu Chao (REPEAT)
VH1 Classic: Woodstock: Richie Havens, The Who, Sly and the Family Stone, Santana, etc.