Is anyone watching "Spectacle?"
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Artist:
It's that 13 part series on the Sundance channel where Elvis Costello interviews a different celebrity and talks about music. I'm really into it. Elvis is super smart (which we knew) but he's also great at interviewing people.
In the episode I watched (via DVR) last night, he talked with Bill Clinton about the role music played in his life - from playing in the school band to listening to music in his office before meeting with heads of state. I had no idea Clinton had taken the saxophone so seriously as a young man. He played first chair in the Arkansas state band and won more music scholarships than academic scholarships. He even considered a career in music but decided to go into public service instead.
I recommend checking it out if you are a Clinton fan. The Sundance website says they'll re-run it on New Year's Eve.
Locating MOG account...
Comments (6)
Hey Groovy Grove - I hadn't heard of this show. Sounds really cool. I'm sure E.C. would be a great interviewer. I am unfortunately cable-tv-less, so I'll have to wait till it gets posted on the net someplace.
Cheers!
Of the five episodes that have aired on Channel 4 in the U.K., the Rufus Wainwright one was the best. Despite atrocious editing and the fragmented presentation it was possible to sense a genuine conversation. Rufus' songs don't really do it for me so it was great to see Elvis doing two songs new to diehard Costello fans like myself , If I Only Had A Brain (from the Wizard of Oz , re. Rufus's Garland project) and Loudon Wainwright III's New Paint ( from LW III, 1972), the last being one of the Elvis's most exciting performances in a while.This show was one of the later one's recorded and it shows Elvis getting more relaxed and accomplished in the interviewer role. The Clinton/Reed/Elton John/Police shows were done earlier and suffer from Elvis having a lack of focus and comfort.
sounds very cool/interesting. it's shows like this that make me wish i got those channels. i wonder if it's available online as well... (i mean legally.)
Actually went to the cable company to add the channel after he was on David Letterman discussing the show in late October or early November. Watched every episode so far and look forward to the rest. Hooked from the first episode when Elton John and Elvis Costello talked about Lyro Nyro for what seemed like fifteen minutes. It's a shame that this is just a short run series because this show could go on forever. Love it!
:=)
It's available locally via the cable goniff at extra expense on Sundance Channel. Have seen the first three shows, missed James Taylor. The show with Elton was really interesting--I ended up with a lot more respect for Sir John and learned that both he and Elvis have a deep knowledge and love for Motown/soul acts. The great guitarist, James Burton, is in the house band. The astounding Alan Toussaint was present at the first show, but not thereafter. Elvis's bass player sings duet and is excellent. I am a big Lou Reed fan, and it was interesting to hear the director of the filmed version of Berlin recite from memory the long lyrics to Rock and Roll Minuet. The show is abolutely worth seeking out, entertaining, unexpected and educational.
Saw it for the first time-The JT episode, and I'd def. watch it again. Pretty much the best talking about music that I've heard in ages..