July 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 commercialTrio cable television network.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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."
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.
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."
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.
A double bill featuring cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who performs with a tangoquintet; 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."
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.
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David Byrne
November 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.
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."
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.
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Best of Season I, Vol. I
December 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.
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Best of Season I, Vol. II
December 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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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Best of Season II, Vol. I
December 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.
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Best of Season II, Vol. II
January 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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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Best of Season III, Vol. I
July 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.
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Best of Season III, Vol. II
July 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 Date
Title
Artists
Label
September 4, 2001
The Best of Sessions at West 54th
Sheryl 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
Wynton 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
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