Music on TV

[RGMike]

I'm currently watching on WLIW a Bill Joel concert on "The Old Grey Whistle Test" from 1978, doing a lot of Stranger songs.  I have to admit that, Billy Joel fan though I've been all my life, it's hard for me to enjoy him in the live setting knowing what a pathetically creepy caricature he'd become in his later years.

Well, it took over a month, but this finally popped up on a Bay Area PBS station (KCSM) and I'm watching it right now. Pretty wonderful, and the in-between "Pledge Month" segment included an interview with Phil Ramone. The Stranger was something of a do-or-die situaltion (Columbia wanted hits) and Billy had actually talked to George Martin about producing, but Martin wanted studio musicians instead of Billy's band, and Billy wouldn't go for that. Also, "Allentown" was orig intended to be part of the "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" suite but got bumped.

[Gazoo]

Also, "Allentown" was orig intended to be part of the "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" suite but got bumped.

This is a fascinating bit of trivia - thank you!

[RGMike]

Oh. My. GAWD.

The newly reborn KOFY TV-20 (they've reclaimed their old call letters now that the WB network is history) are running 8 hours of old Jim Gabbert "Dance Party" shows from gawd-knows-when. The hair! The clothes! I hope they stick a "Lavender Lounge" episode in there somewhere. 

[Wayback]

Elvis Costello turns interviewer in new TV show "Spectacle"
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/01/DDNA14EPVL.DTL

[RGMike]

Elvis Costello turns interviewer in new TV show "Spectacle"
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/01/DDNA14EPVL.DTL

I can't wait to see this -- it's avail with Comcast's "on demand" feature before it airs, so I may watch tonite.

[RGMike]

Just caught a replay of Paul Simon's appearance on Colbert. He was plugging a new book of his lyrics and Colbert asked about "Cecilia": "why on earth would you have to get up to wash your face?" LOL! (Simon replied that it was the '60s and he doesn't remember.)

He also (and this could go in the "I didn't know that!" thread) mentioned that he wrote "Red Rubber Ball" (eventually a hit for the Cyrkle) for the Seekers! I can totally imagine them doing it --  dunno if there's a version by them somewhere but if so I'd love to hear it.

[RGMike]

Elvis Costello turns interviewer in new TV show "Spectacle"
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/01/DDNA14EPVL.DTL

I can't wait to see this -- it's avail with Comcast's "on demand" feature before it airs, so I may watch tonite.

Caught the Costello/EJ show last nite and it was quite wonderful; Elton's stories about people who influenced him were fascinating. He gave major props to Leon Russell and Laura Nyro (altho he consistently mispronounced her name as "NIGH-ro", even as Elvis C was pronouncing it correctly -- WTF?).  I never realized that "Burn Down the Mission" was influenced by Ms. Nyro, but when EJ demonstrated the connection it became quite obvious.  All this and Allen Toussaint too! It's being repeated on Sundance tonite at 11.

[Gazoo]

All this and Allen Toussaint too!

Glad you got your Toussaint's worth.

[princessofcairo]

All this and Allen Toussaint too!

Glad you got your Toussaint's worth.

you need some sleep!

[RGMike]

All this and Allen Toussaint too!

Glad you got your Toussaint's worth.

Last nite's ep, with Lou Reed was a lot weirder but interesring nenetheless. Artist/director Julian Schnabel (an old friend of Lou's, apparently) showed up in the 2nd half and he's an odd dude.

[Tinka Cat]

All this and Allen Toussaint too!

Glad you got your Toussaint's worth.

Last nite's ep, with Lou Reed was a lot weirder but interesring nenetheless. Artist/director Julian Schnabel (an old friend of Lou's, apparently) showed up in the 2nd half and he's an odd dude.

see his movie "Diving Bell and the Butterfly" if you haven't

[RGMike]

All this and Allen Toussaint too!

Glad you got your Toussaint's worth.

Last nite's ep, with Lou Reed was a lot weirder but interesring nenetheless. Artist/director Julian Schnabel (an old friend of Lou's, apparently) showed up in the 2nd half and he's an odd dude.

see his movie "Diving Bell and the Butterfly" if you haven't

Oh yes -- great movie (and that actor is the villain in the new Bond). But all his 3 of his films are at very least interesting: Basquiat (Jeffrey Wright before he was known) and Before Night falls (Javier Bardem before *he* was known).

[ggould]

right now, singing a tribute to Alan Colmes to the tune of "She's Gone."

hilarious!

[urth]

right now, singing a tribute to Alan Colmes to the tune of "She's Gone."

hilarious!

Ah, yes, saw it on the 8pm broadcast (for some reason we get the east coast feed on DirectTV here). Is it me or does Oates look like he's had work done?

[Gazoo]

right now, singing a tribute to Alan Colmes to the tune of "She's Gone."

hilarious!

Aw, MAN!  Sorry I missed that.  I'll catch it online soon.