Sessions at West 54th

Last updated

Sessions at West 54th
Developed by
  • Jeb Brien
  • Niki Vettel
Presented by
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes79
Original release
ReleaseJuly 5, 1997 (1997-07-05) 
July 29, 2000 (2000-07-29)

Sessions at West 54th is an American television program that featured music performances, and was in some ways a pop music variation on the theme set by the long-lived Austin City Limits , though the featured musicians represented a number of musical genres. It was called Sessions at West 54th because it was taped at Sony Music Studios on West 54th Street in Manhattan. Jeb Brien and Niki Vettel, APS senior v.p. for program development, developed the series after working on APS concert specials with Suzanne Vega and Ottmar Liebert. It was produced for public television syndicator American Program Service (APS) (now American Public Television, Boston) and was carried on many public television stations. It first aired in most places on July 5, 1997, when it was included in the Saturday late-night lineup of stations covering 85% of the country. After the program ended, an edited commercial television version also aired on the commercial Trio cable television network.

Contents

It was first hosted by radio disc jockey Chris Douridas of KCRW in Santa Monica, California, while former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne took over hosting duties during the second season and John Hiatt was the host during the third, and final, season.

Episode list

Season 1 (1997)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Performers [1] Original air date
11 Paula Cole, k.d. Lang July 5, 1997 (1997-07-05)
Lang's set includes "Don't Smoke in Bed" and "My Old Addiction." Cole sings "Carmen" and "I Don't Want to Wait." Hosted by Chris Douridas.
22 Taj Mahal, Albita Rodríguez July 12, 1997 (1997-07-12)
Taj's blues set includes "She Caught the Katy," "Corrine, Corrina" and "Mr. Pitiful." Albita performs "Corazon rumbero," "El son del tahurete," "Valca el brillo de tus ojos" and "El chico Chevere." Hosted by Chris Douridas.
33 Nil Lara, Bobby McFerrin July 19, 1997 (1997-07-19)
McFerrin's set features improvisational vocal harmonies and interactions with other performers. Lara's songs include "Crawl," "Bleeding," "Money Makes the Monkey Dance" and "How Was I to Know?" Hosted by Chris Douridas.
44 Billy Bragg, Nanci Griffith July 26, 1997 (1997-07-26)
Nancy Griffith and Billy Bragg perform. Hosted by Chris Douridas.
55 Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra August 2, 1997 (1997-08-02)
Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra perform selections from Marsalis's Pulitzer Prize-winning jazz oratorio "Blood on the Fields," featuring vocalists Cassandra Wilson, Jon Hendricks and Miles Griffith. Songs include: "Soul for Sale."
66 Sonic Youth, Bill Frisell August 9, 1997 (1997-08-09)
New York City's Sonic Youth and Seattle's Bill Frisell perform. The eclectic Frisell is joined by a host of musicians, including Jimmie Dale Gilmore and drummer Patrick Hay, as well as legendary dobro player Jerry Douglas and vocalist Robin Holcomb. Host: Chris Douridas.
77 Richard Thompson, Suzanne Vega August 16, 1997 (1997-08-16)
Richard Thompson and Suzanne Vega perform. Thompson's set features "I Feel So Good" and "1952 Vincent Black Lightning"; Vega's includes "Cracking," "Caramel," "Queen and the Soldier" and "Gypsy." Host: Chris Douridas.
88 Shawn Colvin, Keb' Mo' August 23, 1997 (1997-08-23)
Performances by Shawn Colvin and Keb' Mo.' Colvin's set includes "Sunny Came Home," "Get Out of This House" and "You and the Mona Lisa." Keb' Mo' sings "City Boy," "More than One Way Home" and "Just Like You."
99 Philip Glass, eels August 30, 1997 (1997-08-30)
Performances by Philip Glass and the trio Eels. Glass's music includes "Planctus" (with singer Natalie Merchant), and "Facades." Eels' set includes "Susan's House," "Flower," "Beautiful Freak" and "Novocaine for the Soul."
1010 Emmylou Harris, Daniel Lanois September 6, 1997 (1997-09-06)
Emmylou Harris and Daniel Lanois perform. Harris sings "Wrecking Ball" with her band Spyboy; Lanois joins her for "Deeper Well," and has a solo set that includes "Still Water." Host: Chris Douridas.
1111 Meshell Ndegeocello, Café Tacuba September 13, 1997 (1997-09-13)
Performances by Me'Shell NdegeOcello and Café Tacuba. NdegeOcello's set includes "Step into the Projects" and "Free My Heart." Café Tacuba plays "No Controles," "Esa Noche," "Fin dela Infancia" and "Chilanga Banda." Host: Chris Douridas.
1212 Joshua Redman, Zap Mama September 20, 1997 (1997-09-20)
Performances by saxophonist Joshua Redman and Zap Mama, a Belgian-based group that mixes African, European and American sounds. Host: Chris Douridas.
1313 Patti Smith, Ron Sexsmith & Elvis Costello September 27, 1997 (1997-09-27)
Performances by Patti Smith and Ron Sexsmith, whose set includes "Thinking Out Loud." Among Smith's selections: her tribute to Kurt Cobain, "About a Boy"; and "Wing."
1414 Joe Jackson October 4, 1997 (1997-10-04)
Joe Jackson performs selections from "Heaven & Hell," a thematic pop-classical hybrid about the seven deadly sins. Violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg is among the guest artists. Songs include "Angel," "Tuzla" and "Fugue 2/Song of Daedalus." Host: Chris Douridas.
1515 Sinéad O'Connor, World Party October 11, 1997 (1997-10-11)
World Party and Sinéad O'Connor perform. World Party's selections include "Is It like Today?" and "Vanity Fair"; O'Connor sings "To Mother You" and "John, I Love You."
1616 Gipsy Kings, Squirrel Nut Zippers October 18, 1997 (1997-10-18)
Performances by the guitar band Gipsy Kings and the revivalist jazz group Squirrel Nut Zippers, whose set includes "Hell," "Club Limbo" and "Put a Lid on It." Gipsy Kings play a rousing version of "Volare" and "Ami Wa Wa." Host: Chris Douridas.
1717Shawn Colvin, Yo-Yo Ma October 25, 1997 (1997-10-25)
A double bill featuring cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who performs with a tango quintet; and a repeat performance by Shawn Colvin. Ma's set includes "Tango Suite" and "Tango Remembrances." Colvin sings "You and the Mona Lisa" and "Sunny Came Home."
1818 Rickie Lee Jones, Tindersticks November 1, 1997 (1997-11-01)
Performing: Rickie Lee Jones; Tindersticks.
1919 Beck, Ben Folds Five November 8, 1997 (1997-11-08)
Performing: piano-based trio Ben Folds Five; and double-Grammy winner Beck, whose set includes "Devil's Haircut," "Where It's At" and "I Wanna Get with You." Ben Folds Five performs "Missing the War," "Smoke" and "One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces." Host: Chris Douridas.
2020David ByrneNovember 15, 1997 (1997-11-15)
A visually arresting concert with David Byrne. Songs include "Take Me to the River," "Dance on Vaseline," "Miss America," "Psycho Killer" and "Fuzzy Freaky." Also: an interview with the singer-songwriter, who talks about contemporary music. Host: Chris Douridas.
2121 Fiona Apple, Luscious Jackson November 22, 1997 (1997-11-22)
Performing: Fiona Apple; Luscious Jackson. Apple's set includes "Shadowboxer," "Criminal" and "Never Is a Promise." Host: Chris Douridas.
2222 Sheryl Crow, Gillian Welch November 29, 1997 (1997-11-29)
Sheryl Crow performs "Everyday Is a Winding Road," "Home" and "Sweet Rosalyn" in a double bill she shares with alternative country artist Gillian Welch. Host: Chris Douridas.
2323 Leo Kottke, Laura Love December 6, 1997 (1997-12-06)
A double bill featuring guitar virtuoso Leo Kottke and singer-songwriter Laura Love, whose set includes "Octoroon" and Kurt Cobain's "Come As You Are." Kottke performs "Airproofing," "Across the Street," "Deep River Blues" and "Peckerwood."
2424 Ani DiFranco, Tricky December 13, 1997 (1997-12-13)
Performances by singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco and trip hop artist Tricky. DiFranco's set includes "Letter to a John," "32 Flavors" and "Swan Dive." Tricky performs "Makes Me Wanna Die," "Christiansands" and "Black Steel." Host: Chris Douridas.
2525Best of Season I, Vol. IDecember 19, 1997 (1997-12-19)
Part 1 of two. A "best of" compilation that includes k.d. lang ("Don't Smoke in Bed"); Beck ("Jack-Ass") and Sheryl Crow ("Home"). Additional selections from Patti Smith, David Byrne, Sinéad O'Connor and Zap Mama. Host: Chris Douridas.
2626Best of Season I, Vol. IIDecember 19, 1997 (1997-12-19)
The conclusion of a two-part "best of" compilation includes Richard Thompson ("I Feel So Good"); Fiona Apple ("Never Is a Promise"); David Byrne ("Miss America") and Wynton Marsalis ("Freedom's in the Trying"). Additional selections by Sheryl Crow. Host: Chris Douridas.

Season 2 (1998)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Performers [1] Original air date
271 Lucinda Williams, The Mavericks July 11, 1998 (1998-07-11)
Lucinda Williams and the Mavericks perform.
282 John Hiatt, Imani Coppola July 18, 1998 (1998-07-18)
A double bill featuring musician Imani Coppola and veteran singer-songwriter John Hiatt, whose set includes "Have a Little Faith in Me," a rendition that's backed by a 10-member women's choir.
293 Pat Metheny Group, Angelique Kidjo July 25, 1998 (1998-07-25)
Performing: the Pat Metheny Group, whose set includes guest bassist Charlie Haden. Also: Paris-based singer Angelique Kidjo, a West African native whose music reflects her heritage and the American soul music that inspires her. Host: David Byrne.
304Natalie Merchant, Virginia Rodrigues July 31, 1998 (1998-07-31)
Performances by singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant and Brazilian musician Virginia Rodrigues.
315 Lou Reed August 7, 1998 (1998-08-07)
Lou Reed plays a set that includes the classic "Sweet Jane," as well as subsequent material such as "Set the Twilight Reeling." Other selections include "Perfect Day," "Pale Blue Eyes," "Dirty Boulevard" and "Satellite of Love." Host: David Byrne.
326 Medeski, Martin & Wood, Holly Cole August 14, 1998 (1998-08-14)
A double bill featuring singer Holly Cole and the trio Medeski, Martin and Wood, whose selections include "Wiggly's Way," "Coconut Boogaloo" and "Latin Shuffle." Cole's set includes the Tom Waits song "Jersey Girl."
337 Brian Setzer Orchestra, Jimmy Scott August 21, 1998 (1998-08-21)
The Brian Setzer Orchestra; jazz vocalist Jimmy Scott. Setzer's set included "The Dirty Boogie," "Jump, Jive an' Wail," "This Cat's on a Hot Tin Roof," "Switchblade 327" and "Guitar Rag," a piece for solo guitar. Scott's selections include "All of Me" and "Slave to Love" Host: David Byrne.
348Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach August 30, 1998 (1998-08-30)
Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach perform songs from their 1998 release, "Painted from Memory," including the title track, "Toledo," "This House Is Empty Now" and "God Give Me Strength," which they wrote for the 1996 film "Grace of My Heart." Host: David Byrne.
359 Cowboy Junkies, Kronos Quartet September 6, 1998 (1998-09-06)
A double bill featuring Kronos Quartet and Cowboy Junkies, whose set includes "Miles from Our Home" and a cover of the classic "Sweet Jane." Host: David Byrne.
3610 Neil Finn, The MavericksSeptember 13, 1998 (1998-09-13)
Former Crowded House front man Neil Finn plays selections from his 1998 solo release, "Try Whistling This," including "Last One Standing" and "Sinner," as well as the Crowded House hit "Don't Dream It's Over." Also: a performance by the Mavericks. Host: David Byrne.
3711 Des'ree, John Hiatt September 17, 1998 (1998-09-17)
A set by Des'ree includes "Feels So High," "Life," "I'm Kissing You" and "You Gotta Be." Also: an encore performance by John Hiatt, who performs "Drive South," "Tennessee Plates, "Cry Love" and "Have a Little Faith in Me." Host: David Byrne.
3812 Lyle Lovett September 27, 1998 (1998-09-27)
Lyle Lovett is the sole performer. Selections include "Step Inside This House," "More Pretty Girls than One," "Bears" and "Flyin' Shoes," all songs from his 1998 double-CD set. The set also features "If I Had a Boat," "She's No Lady" and "Rollin' By." Host: David Byrne.
3913 Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, Wasis Diop October 4, 1998 (1998-10-04)
A set by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones includes "Big Country," "Almost 12," "Communication" and "Stomping Ground." Also: Senegalese singer Wasis Diop performs "Toxu," "Soweto Daal," "Colobane (Hymne for African Unity)." Host: David Byrne.
4014 Liz Phair, John Lurie and the Lounge Lizards October 11, 1998 (1998-10-11)
Liz Phair sings "Polyester Bride," "6'1" " and "Mesmerizing." Also: John Lurie and the Lounge Lizards perform "She Drove Me Mad" and "Queen of All Ears." Host: David Byrne.
4115 Phish, Rufus Wainwright October 20, 1998 (1998-10-20)
A performance by Phish includes "Birds of a Feather," "Ghost" and "Taste." Rufus Wainwright sings "Danny Boy," "Millbrook," "In My Arms," "April Fools" and "Foolish Love."
4216 Los Amigos Invisibles, Afro-Cuban All Stars October 27, 1998 (1998-10-27)
Los Amigos Invisibles and the Afro-Cuban All Stars perform separate sets. Los Amigos' selections include "Sexy," "Ultra Funk," "La Groupie" and "Ponerte En Cuatro." The All Stars' set includes "Amor Verdadero." Host: David Byrne.
4317 John Mellencamp, Randy Newman November 3, 1998 (1998-11-03)
John Mellencamp and Randy Newman perform separate sets. Mellencamp's selections include "Small Town," "Rain On The Scarecrow" and "Eden Is Burning." Newman's set includes "Last Night," "Marie," "You've Got a Friend in Me," "I Miss You" and "Burn On." Host: David Byrne.
4418 PJ Harvey, Chocolate Genius November 10, 1998 (1998-11-10)
P.J. Harvey and Chocolate Genius play separate sets. Harvey's selections include "Catherine," "My Beautiful Leah" and "Is This Desire?"; Chocolate Genius sings "Half a Man," "My Mom" and "Safe and Sound," among others. Host: David Byrne.
4519 Tori Amos November 17, 1998 (1998-11-17)
Tori Amos performs. Her set includes "iieee," "Past the Mission," "Caught a Lite Sneeze" and "The Waitress." Host: David Byrne.
4620 Beth Orton, Joe Henry November 24, 1998 (1998-11-24)
Joe Henry and Beth Orton perform separate sets. Henry's selections include "Bob & Ray" and "Ohio Air Show Airplane Crash." Orton's set includes "Galaxy of Emptiness" and "She Cries Your Name." Host: David Byrne.
4721 Balanescu Quartet, Ozomatli December 1, 1998 (1998-12-01)
Host David Byrne joins the Balanescu Quartet for their set, which includes reworkings of some of his classics, as well as a version of "I Wanna Dance with Somebody." Also: Ozomatli performs.
4822 Steve Earle, Del McCoury Band December 8, 1998 (1998-12-08)
Steve Earle and the Del McCoury Band perform a set of original and classic bluegrass songs. Host: David Byrne.
4923 Vic Chesnutt, Lucinda Williams December 15, 1998 (1998-12-15)
The Nashville band Lambchop backs Georgia native Vic Chesnutt for his set. The hour also features a repeat of Lucinda Williams' September 1998 appearance, which includes "Drunken Angel" and "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road."
5024 Anggun, John MellencampDecember 22, 1998 (1998-12-22)
A set by John Mellencamp includes "Pink Houses" and "Lonely Ol' Night." Also: Indonesian singer Anggun performs "Selamanya" and "A Rose in the Wind." Host: David Byrne.
5125Best of Season II, Vol. IDecember 29, 1998 (1998-12-29)
A "best of" compilation that includes performances by Natalie Merchant, Lucinda Williams, Lyle Lovett, John Mellencamp, Randy Newman, P.J. Harvey, Lou Reed, Chocolate Genius, Steve Earle and Tori Amos. Host: David Byrne.
5226Best of Season II, Vol. IIJanuary 5, 1999 (1999-01-05)
A "best of" compilation includes performances by the Mavericks, Lyle Lovett, Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach, the Brian Setzer Orchestra, Holly Cole, Jimmy Scott and Cowboy Junkies, as well as Angelique Kidjo, the Kronos Quartet with David Bryne, and the Balanescu Quartet.

Season 3 (1999–2000)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Performers [1] Original air date
531 Rubén Blades September 25, 1999 (1999-09-25)
Performances by salsa legend Rubén Blades, and Editus, a band of Costa Rican musicians. Host: John Hiatt.
542 Macy Gray, Sheryl CrowOctober 8, 1999 (1999-10-08)
Sheryl Crow and Macy Gray perform. Songs include "My Favorite Mistake," "There Goes the Neighborhood" and "It Don't Hurt" (Crow); and "I Try" and "Why Didn't You Call Me" (Gray). John Hiatt is the host.
553 Los Lobos, Diana Krall October 17, 1999 (1999-10-17)
Jazz singer Diana Krall plays a sensuous cat-and-mouse game of alternating hesitation and sustain vocally, while Los Lobos showcases their adventurous mix of rock, R&B, traditional Mexican folk and experimental sounds. Songs include "I've Got You Under My Skin," "This Time," "Peel Me a Grape," "Oh Yeah," "When I Look in Your Eyes" and "Kiko and the Lavender Moon."
564 Robert Cray, Kim Richey October 22, 1999 (1999-10-22)
Blues guitarist-singer Robert Cray and singer-songwriter Kim Richey perform. Songs include "24-7," "Can't Lose Them All," "Pardon," "I Know," "That Wasn't Me" and "I'm Alright." Host: John Hiatt.
575 Parliament-Funkadelic October 30, 1999 (1999-10-30)
The 20-piece R&B juggernaut Parliament/Funkadelic performs. Host: John Hiatt.
586A Tribute To Gram Parsons November 7, 1999 (1999-11-07)
A tribute to Gram Parsons, a pioneering artist in alternative country music, features performances by host John Hiatt, Sheryl Crow, the Mavericks, Emmylou Harris, Whiskeytown, Gillian Welch, Steve Earle, Chris Hillman and Margot Timmons.
597 Branford Marsalis, Cesaria Evora November 14, 1999 (1999-11-14)
Jazz group the Branford Marsalis Quartet performs, as does Cesaria Evora, the Barefoot Diva from West Africa's Cape Verde Islands. Host: John Hiatt.
608 Dixie Chicks November 21, 1999 (1999-11-21)
Grammy-winning country-rock-bluegrass stars the Dixie Chicks (Natalie Maines, Martie Seidel and Emily Robison) perform and are interviewed by host John Hiatt.
619 Jewel Christmas specialNovember 28, 1999 (1999-11-28)
A Christmas program by singer-songwriter Jewel includes "Joy to the World," "O Holy Night," "Ave Maria," "Winter Wonderland," "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "Face of Love," "Gospel Melody," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."
6210Parliament-Funkadelic, Cibo Matto January 2, 2000 (2000-01-02)
George Clinton's 20-piece funk juggernaut Parliament/Funkadelic plays a rousing set, and pop/hip-hop/jazz fusionists Cibo Matto perform with Sean Lennon and other guests. Host: John Hiatt.
6311 John Prine January 30, 2000 (2000-01-30)
Folk-musician John Prine performs with support from Iris DeMent. John Hiatt is the host.
6412 Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers, Ben Harper & the Innocent CriminalsFebruary 6, 2000 (2000-02-06)
Performances by Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers and Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals. Host: John Hiatt.
6513 Wilco, Patty Griffin February 13, 2000 (2000-02-13)
Wilco and Patty Griffin perform. Songs include "Outtasite (Outta Mind)," "Mary," "I'm Always in Love," "Flaming Red," "California Stars," "Peter Pan," "Nothing'severgonnastandinmyway," "Carry Me," "I Must Be High," "Silver Bell" and "My Darling."
6614 Neville Brothers, Ottmar Liebert February 21, 2000 (2000-02-21)
Performers include the Neville Brothers and Ottmar Liebert. John Hiatt hosts.
6715 Rollins Band, Speech February 28, 2000 (2000-02-28)
Performers include the Rollins Band (led by singer-spoken word artist Henry Rollins) and former Arrested Development front man Speech, who performs songs from his 1999 CD "Hoopla."
6816 Marianne Faithfull April 15, 2000 (2000-04-15)
Singer Marianne Faithfull, whose dalliances with the rock elite in the 1960s are as widely known as her hits of that time, performs with an edgy band and tells fascinating stories. Songs include "Come and Stay with Me," "Broken English" and "Working Class Hero."
6917 Chris Isaak, Kelly Willis April 22, 2000 (2000-04-22)
Rock crooner Chris Isaak (with his longtime band Silvertone) and country singer Kelly Willis perform. Songs include "Somebody's Crying," "Not Forgotten You," "Flying," "Heavenbound," "Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing" and "What I Deserve."
7018 Iggy Pop, Marc Ribot y Los Cubanos PostizosApril 30, 2000 (2000-04-30)
From 2000: Iggy Pop and Marc Ribot y Los Cubanos Postizos perform. Veteran punker Iggy puts on a dynamic set that includes "Lust for Life," while Ribot's band plays a garage band version of Cuban music, highlighted by Ribot's guitar playing.
7119 Mary Chapin Carpenter, John HiattMay 6, 2000 (2000-05-06)
Singer-songwriters Mary Chapin Carpenter and John Hiatt perform. Four-time Grammy winner Carpenter's set includes "The Hard Way"; Hiatt sings "Memphis in the Meantime" with his band the Goners, reunited for the first time in a decade.
7220 The Cranberries, Moby May 14, 2000 (2000-05-14)
Irish rockers the Cranberries and techno artist Moby perform. The Cranberries' set includes "Dreams," "Linger" and "Zombie," while Moby plays "Natural Blues" and "Bodyrock." Host: John Hiatt.
7321 Willie Nelson May 21, 2000 (2000-05-21)
Willie Nelson performs with a seven-piece band. Songs include "Crazy," "Night Life," "On the Road Again," "'Til I Gain Control Again," "Funny How Time Slips Away" and "Pancho and Lefty."
7422 G. Love and Special Sauce, Sheryl CrowMay 28, 2000 (2000-05-28)
G. Love and Special Sauce and Sheryl Crow perform at New York's Sony Studios. Host: John Hiatt.
7523 Latin Playboys, Ziggy MarleyJune 11, 2000 (2000-06-11)
Avant garde roots-rockers the Latin Playboys (featuring David Hidalgo and Louie Perez of Los Lobos) and reggae stars Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers perform. Host: John Hiatt.
7624 Mandy Barnett, Chris IsaakJune 18, 2000 (2000-06-18)
Mandy Barnett and Chris Isaak perform. Host: John Hiatt.
7725Diana Krall, Mark Isham June 18, 2000 (2000-06-18)
Jazz performances from vocalist Diana Krall and trumpeter Mark Isham. Isham plays Miles Davis compositions from his tribute CD; Krall's set includes "Under My Skin," "I Love Being Here with You," "Lost Mind," "Peel Me a Grape" and "When I Look in Your Eyes."
7826Best of Season III, Vol. IJuly 22, 2000 (2000-07-22)
A "best of" episode includes Moby, Macy Gray, Ruben Blades, Branford Marsalis, Patty Griffin, the Rollins Band, John Prine, Ben Harper, Emmylou Harris and Ryan Adams.
7927Best of Season III, Vol. IIJuly 29, 2000 (2000-07-29)
The conclusion of a two-part "best of" compilation includes Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, Cesaria Evora, Los Lobos, Wilco, Kim Richey, Chris Isaak, Sheryl Crow, Diana Krall, Dixie Chicks, John Hiatt, Iggy Pop and Jewel.

Releases

CD releases

Release DateTitleArtistsLabel
September 4, 2001The Best of Sessions at West 54thSheryl Crow

David Byrne
John Hiatt
Ben Folds Five
Natalie Merchant
Suzanne Vega
The Mavericks
Richard Thompson
Ani DiFranco
Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach
Shawn Colvin
Emmylou Harris
Sinéad O'Connor
Lou Reed

Sony
July 13, 2018The Complete Sessions at West 54th Ben Folds Five Real Gone Music
Oct 7, 1997 Sessions at West 54th Suzanne Vega A&M Records

DVD releases

Release DateTitleArtistsLabel
December 10, 1997The Best of Sessions at West 54th Volume 1Wynton Marsalis with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra

Suzanne Vega
Richard Thompson
Shawn Colvin
Ani DiFranco
Nil Lara
Rickie Lee Jones
Daniel Lanois
Emmylou Harris
Ben Folds Five
Keb' Mo'
Sinéad O'Connor
Yo-Yo Ma
Patti Smith
Jane Siberry

Columbia Music Video
December 5, 2000 Sessions at West 54th: Recorded Live in New York Keb' Mo' Sony Pictures
December 19, 2000 Sessions at West 54th Neil Finn Sony Pictures
March 13, 2001The Best of Sessions at West 54th Volume 2The Mavericks

Imani Coppola
Kronos Quartet
Neil Finn
Lyle Lovett
Afro-Cuban All Stars
Natalie Merchant
John Hiatt
Randy Newman
Ozomatli
Lucinda Williams
Steve Earle
Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach
Lou Reed

Columbia Music Video
September 11, 2001 John Prine - Live from Sessions at West 54th John Prine Oh Boy Records Music Video
October 9, 2001 Ben Folds Five – The Complete Sessions at West 54th Ben Folds Five Epic Music Video

VHS Releases

Release DateTitleArtistsLabel
December 8, 1998Painted from Memory: Sessions at West 54thElvis Costello and Burt Bacharach Polygram Music Video

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In Living Color is an American sketch comedy television series that originally ran on Fox from April 15, 1990, to May 19, 1994. Keenen Ivory Wayans created, wrote and starred in the program. The show was produced by Ivory Way Productions in association with 20th Television and was taped at stage 7 at the Metromedia Square on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

Variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is entertainment made up of a variety of acts including musical performances, sketch comedy, magic, acrobatics, juggling, and ventriloquism. It is normally introduced by a compère or host. The variety format made its way from the Victorian era stage in Britain and America to radio and then television. Variety shows were a staple of English language television from the late 1940s into the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dick Clark</span> American radio and television personality (1929–2012)

Richard Wagstaff Clark was an American television and radio personality and television producer who hosted American Bandstand from 1956 to 1989. He also hosted five incarnations of the Pyramid game show from 1973 to 1988 and Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, which broadcast New Year's Eve celebrations in New York City's Times Square.

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CBC Radio 3 is a Canadian digital radio station operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, which plays a relatively freeform mix of indie rock, indie pop, alternative hip hop, folk, country and electronic music.

Saturday Night Live (SNL) is an American late-night live sketch comedy variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Michaels and Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC. The show's premiere was hosted by George Carlin on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title NBC's Saturday Night. The show's comedy sketches, which often parody contemporary American culture and politics, are performed by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer cast members. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest, who usually delivers the opening monologue and performs in sketches with the cast, with featured performances by a musical guest. An episode normally begins with a cold open sketch that is usually based on political events and ends with someone breaking character and proclaiming, "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!", properly beginning the show.

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<i>Rage</i> (TV program) Australian music video program

Rage is an all-night Australian music video program broadcast on ABC TV on Friday nights, Saturday mornings and Saturday nights. It was first screened on the weekend of Friday, 17 April 1987. With Soul Train and Video Hits no longer being produced, it is the oldest music television program in the world currently still in production as of 2024.

<i>Almost Live!</i> 1984 American TV series or program

Almost Live! is an American sketch comedy television series produced and broadcast by NBC affiliate KING-TV from 1984 to 1999 in Seattle, Washington. A repackaged version of the show also aired on Comedy Central from 1992 to 1993, and episodes aired on WGRZ-TV and other Gannett-owned stations in the late 1990s. The show was broadcast in Seattle on Saturday nights at 11:30, pushing Saturday Night Live back to midnight, while other Gannett stations aired it after Saturday Night Live.

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WRTI is a non-commercial, listener-supported radio station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is a service of Temple University, with the university's board of trustees holding the station's license. The studios are on Cecil B. Moore Avenue in Philadelphia. WRTI plays classical music from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and jazz all night. It broadcasts using HD Radio technology, using its digital subchannel to reverse this schedule. On WRTI-HD2, jazz is heard by day, classical music at night. News updates are provided by National Public Radio. The station holds periodic fundraisers on the air and on line.

USA Up All Night was an American cable television series that aired weekly on Friday and Saturday nights on the USA Network. The show aired from 1989 to 1998. Throughout its run, the program was hosted by Gilbert Gottfried, Caroline Schlitt, and finally Rhonda Shear.

<i>Night Flight</i> (TV series) American variety television program

Night Flight is an online visual-arts magazine and variety television show that originated on cable TV network USA Network. It originally aired from 1981 to 1988 before moving to syndication in the early 1990s. The show relaunched online on nightflight.com in 2015 with original episodes that can be streamed on the subscription channel Night Flight Plus. In April 2018, it returned to cable television as a short form (15-minute) program airing late Friday nights/early Saturday mornings on the network IFC. It includes a mix of mainstream and alternative music videos, artist interviews, B movies, documentaries, short films, stand-up comedy and animation.

Chris Douridas is an American popular DJ and musical tastemaker at Santa Monica, California's radio station KCRW, where he hosts a two-hour program showcasing progressive new music. He is also a filmmaker, actor, television presenter, and a three-time Grammy-nominated producer of soundtracks and music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WLRH</span> Public radio station in Huntsville, Alabama

WLRH, branded as "WLRH 89.3 FM/HD Huntsville," is an American public radio station located in Huntsville, Alabama, the state's first such broadcaster. It offers music, news, cultural and entertainment programming from American Public Media, Public Radio Exchange, National Public Radio, and other nationally-recognized public media outlets, as well as airing several local shows produced by staff and volunteers. WLRH provides three HD channels. The HD1 signal is a digital version of the main WLRH signal, the HD2 signal is a 24-hour classical music service, and the HD3 signal provides news and talk programs. WLRH serves an area roughly 60 miles in all directions from its transmitter on Monte Sano Mountain, located on the city's eastern end, including north-central Alabama and south-central Tennessee, as well as northeastern Alabama via a translator.

<i>Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell</i> American television variety show

Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell is an American television variety show that aired on ABC from September 20, 1975, to January 17, 1976, hosted by Howard Cosell and executive-produced by Roone Arledge. The series ran for 18 episodes before being cancelled. The show was later remembered by its director Don Mischer as "one of the greatest disasters in the history of television", largely because Cosell and Arledge—both veterans of sports broadcasting—did not have any experience with comedy and variety programming.

A graveyard slot is a time period in which a television audience is very small compared to other times of the day, and therefore broadcast programming is considered far less important. Graveyard slots are usually situated in the early morning hours of each day, when most people are asleep.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "TVGuide: Sessions at West 54th: Episode Guide".