Ear on TV: Week of 12.27.10: Live at Daryl's House

Hall & Oates - Live at Daryl's House on WGN New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve has always seemed to suffer from inflated expectations -- so much pressure on 'blowing out' the past year to welcome in the new. For those either stuck at home or taking the event in stride with more tempered expectations, there are plenty of options on TV this year to play in the background during your New Year's Eve Bridge Tournament Blowout 2011! (or whatever you're calling it).

Top of the list is the surprisingly successful monthly web series from Hall & Oate's Daryl Hall, Live from Daryl's House, which is crossing over to TV on Chicago's WGN. For the New Year's Eve special, Hall is culling together a best of from the critically acclaimed series, featuring collaborations with artists like his old buddy John Oates, legends Todd Rundgren, Smokey Robinson, Toots & the Maytals and even some younger artists like Neon Trees and Sharon Jones. Hall likens his show to a sort of response to the Elvis Costello-hosted Spectacle, a show frequently featured in this space. Said Hall recently, “I love Elvis, but his show is more like Inside the Actors Studio. My show is the exact opposite of that. There’s no audience, and it’s balls-to-the-wall craziness and chaos.” WGN will be airing the special from 11:00PM-1:00AM (EST), and if it goes well, the series may make the move to television a more permanent thing.

Your other musical options for the evening vary enough to satisfy just about any party-at-home's taste. New Year's Eve with Carson Daly, may have the more interesting lineup this year, featuring performances from Lil' Wayne and the very hot Nicki Minaj while Daly interviews Bono and The Edge about their experience on Broadway with the calamity that is Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve with Ryan Seacrest spices things up a bit with Ke$ha, Drake, Far*East Movement, Mike Posner and Avril Lavigne. MTV will play it for laughs and/or spectacle, with comedienne Whitney Cummings hosting a countdown with Snooki inside the ball this year and the rest of the cast of Jersey Shore running around Times Square. Speaking of spectacle, HBO will be running the Bette Midler special The Showgirl Must Go On.

Elsewhere this week, the winter of Paul McCartney appreciation continues with this year's Kennedy Center Honors in Washington. McCartney is honored for lifetime achievement in the arts with fellow singer/songwriter Merle Haggard, along with Oprah Winfrey, Broadway composer Jerry Herman (La Cage aux Folles, Hello Dolly!), and dancer and choreographer Bill T. Jones. Artists performing tributes to McCartney include Foo Fighter's Dave Grohl (a big Wings fan), No Doubt and, a surprising highlight of the night, Steven Tyler doing an electrifying rendition of tracks from The Beatles' Abbey Road. Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crowe and Norah Jones highlight Merle Haggard's tribute.

Finally, power pop legends Cheap Trick has been playing the rock for over 36 years now, finally garnering them a performance on the PBS concert staple Austin City Limits. The Rockford, IL quartet's 12 song set list features nearly all their hits, including favorites "Surrender" and "I Want You to Want Me." Absent is longtime drummer Bun E. Carlos, who is still in the band but taking a break as the touring drummer -- the sticks remain in the family with guitarist Rick Nielsen's son Dax beating the skins as his temporary replacement. It's not a bad way to start 2011, really, repeating the Cheap Trick mantra of, "We're all alright, we're all alright."

Watch the full episode. See more Austin City Limits.

Picks for the week
Monday, December 27
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Temper Trap (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Ra Ra Riot (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Jonny Lang (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Japandroids (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Soundgarden (REPEAT)
Tuesday, December 28
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Diddy (REPEAT)
CBS: Kennedy Center Honors: Paul McCartney, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Dave Grohl, Sheryl Crow, Steven Tyler, Norah Jones, Kid Rock, No Doubt
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Annie Lenox (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Menomena (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Pink, Rascal Flatts (REPEAT)
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Ne-Yo (REPEAT)
Wednesday, December 29
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Little Big Town (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Florence and the Machine (REPEAT)
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Robyn (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Paul McCartney (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: City and Colour (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: Reggie Watts (REPEAT)
Thursday, December 30
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Crystal Castles (REPEAT)
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: John Mellencamp (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Toots & the Maytals (REPEAT)
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Los Campesinos! (REPEAT)
TBS: Conan: The 88 (REPEAT)
Friday, December 31
ABC: Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2011: La Roux, Drake, Ke$ha, Mike Posner, Avril Lavigne, Far⋆East Movement
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Rihanna (REPEAT)
HBO: Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On: Bette Midler
MTV: MTV's New Year's Bash 2011: Whitney Cummings, Flo Rida
NBC: New Year's Eve with Carson Daly: Lil' Wayne, Nicki Minaj, My Chemical Romance, U2
WGN: Live From Daryl's House: Hall & Oates, Toots & the Maytals, Todd Rundgren, Sharon Jones, Rob Thomas, Neon Trees, Train, Smokey Robinson, Eli "Paperboy" Reed, Jose Feliciano
Saturday, January 1
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Eliza Doolittle
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Rihanna (REPEAT)
PBS: Austin City Limits: Cheap Trick

Ear on TV: Week of 07.26.10: Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney: In Performance at the White House

Living legend Paul McCartney was honored last month at the White House with the third ever George Gershwin Songwriting Award, and took the occasion to play some favorite songs for the President and the first lady. Then he saw with the Obamas and watched as some famous admirers took on a few of his classics as well.

Artists joining in the fun included 2008 Gershwin award winner Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, Emmy Lou Harris, Herbie Hancock, Foo Fighter's Dave Grohl, the Jonas Brothers, Faith Hill and Jack White, who provided his own twist on "Mother Nature's Son" (scroll down for video). PBS is broadcasting an edited version of the concert to air on Wednesday night, as part of their In Concert at the White House series. One of the highlights has Sir Paul singing "Michelle" to the First Lady, and the President can be seen mouthing the words along with Paul. Says McCartney of the moment, "I hope the President won't punch me out."



Elsewhere, Atlanta purveyors of psychedlic pop Of Montreal are back with a new release, and this time they've somehow managed to capture the funk. Frontman Kevin Barnes has channeled the funk before, especially the Prince's flavor, but with False Priest (scheduled for release on September 14), it sounds like he's been George Clinton (Parliament / Funkadelic). Their live performances are always a spectacle, so make sure you plan on tuning in Thursday night on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, especially knowing that there's a chance that sci-fi soul babe Janelle Monae might sit in.

Here's bonus video of Dave Grohl doing a pretty tight version of "Band on the Run," from the Macca White House gig:



Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, July 26
ABC: The View: Imagination Movers
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Jimmy Webb
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: She & Him
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Cypress Hill
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Lyle Lovett
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Hanson
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: OK Go, Paolo Nutini (REPEAT)
SUNDANCE: The U.S. vs. John Lennon
Tuesday, July 27
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Black Keys
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Paul Wall
IFC: Dinner With the Band: Rufus Wainwright (REPEAT)
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Angelique Kidjo
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Metric (REPEAT)
TBS: Lopez Tonight: Backstreet Boys
Wednesday, July 28
ABC: The View: 50 Cent
ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Rhymefest
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: The Flaming Lips
E!: Chelsea Lately: Lil Jon, Rick Ross, Big Boi
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Silverstein
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Robert Cray
PBS: Paul McCartney in Performance at the White House: Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, Herbie Hancock, Dave Grohl, Jack White
Thursday, July 29
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Interpol
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Damian Marley & Nas
NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Stone Temple Pilots
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Of Montreal
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Shooter Jennings (REPEAT)
Friday, July 30
ABC: Good Morning America: Black Eyed Peas
ABC: The View: Snoop Dogg
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Green Day
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Raveonettes (REPEAT)
SUNDANCE: Live From Abbey Road: Mika, La Roux, Bloc Party (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Court Yard Hounds (REPEAT)
SYNDICATION: Live With Regis and Kelly: Sheryl Crow
Saturday, July 31
BBCAMERICA: The Graham Norton Show: Shirley Bassey (REPEAT)
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Them Crooked Vultures (REPEAT)

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

Get Back, Macca (on the marquee)

Paul McCartney returned to Ed Sullivan Theater, sitting down with Dave to answer some expected questions. Memories of the Beatles appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show ("I was nervous") and of Michael Jackson (was a pleasure, until it became business) were both on the docket, naturally.



Macca then went out on the marquee (kind of like a roof, right?) and played "Get Back" and "Sing the Changes" from his latest Fireman album Electric Arguments. Then after the cameras were off, the played an encore of hits, from both Beatles and beyond: "Band on the Run," "Helter Skelter", "Back in the USSR", "Coming Up" and "Let Me Roll It" (all links to video).

Here's Macca on the Marquee...
"Get Back" and "Sing the Change":


"Back in the U.S.S.R."

"Helter Skelter"

Clickthrough for videos of "Band on the Run", "Coming Up" and "Let Me Roll It" (no embed allowed).

Ear on TV: Week of 07.13.09: Macca Returns

When Sir Paul McCartney visits Letterman this Wednesday, it will be his first time back at Ed Sullivan Theater* since the Beatles' legendary appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. It was 45 years ago that the Fab Four was introduced to American audiences on that very stage (scroll down for video), and "the cute one" must have a few yarns to tell about that momentous occasion, so naturally he'll be sitting for an interview as well.

*The Beatles appeared nine times on the show over the years, but only set foot on stage at CBS-TV Studio 50 (as it was called at the time) just the one time, on February 9, 1964. The rest were either broadcast from another location or taped from the first appearance.

While in the chair, I'd be shocked if Letterman doesn't bring up the recent death of Michael Jackson, given their history, and hopefully Macca will tell some stories about their time together. Like the time Jackson outbid him for the publishing rights to The Beatles catalogue not long after Paul had told him how lucrative the publishing rights to songs could be. Ah, good times! Or the time that he got shaving cream on MJ's face (oh, wait, I guess that was just the video for "Say, Say, Say").

But Letterman isn't settling for just the Ed Sullivan Theater reunion this week, instead pulling a full-court press of musical guests. One night prior to Macca, for instance, is Wilco, who will be performing a duet of sorts, "You And I" from their latest album, Wilco (the Album), alongside Canadian singer/songwriter Feist. Then on Thursday, it's a makeup performance from Grizzly Bear, who were unceremoniously bumped when GM's Bob Lutz talked all the air out of Ed Sullivan Theater. Finally, on Friday, Canadian rockers Metric put an exclamation point on a tasty week for the Theater of Sullivan. Who needs The Beatles with acts like these?

Um ... we all do. Seriously, you can't top The Beatles. Their performance in 1964 was a monumental moment in rock history -- is it too soon to speculate on it being referenced in the upcoming third season of Mad Men? Here's the 'really big show'::


Playlist: Picks for the week
Monday, July 13
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Kelly Clarkson
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Kid Cudi (REPEAT)
Tuesday, July 14
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Wilco w/ Feist
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
FUEL: The Daily Habit: Margo & the Nuclear So and So's (REPEAT)
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Metric
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Nico Vegas (REPEAT)
Wednesday, July 15
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Paul McCartney
FUEL: The Daily Habit: The Walkmen (REPEAT)
IFC: Festival Express: Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, The Band, Buddy Guy
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Duke Spirit (REPEAT)
SUNDANCE: Spectacle: Elvis Costello With...: Elvis Costello, James Taylor
Thursday, July 16
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Grizzly Bear
MTV: It's On With Alexa Chung: Kid Cudi
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Chris Cornell (REPEAT)
Friday, July 17
CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: Metric
CBS: Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson: Ray Lamontagne
NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: The Dead Weather
NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Chris Cornell (REPEAT)
Saturday, July 18
NBC: Saturday Night Live: Duffy (REPEAT)
PBS: Austin City Limits: Lucinda Williams, Old Crow Medicine Show (REPEAT)