Sun, Aug 8, 2004
This episode of Soundstage features lush orchestral melodies composed and rearranged by Bacharach and infused with Isley's low, smooth soulfulness. The performance, like the breakthrough album, reveals not just a simple set of cover songs, but rather a complete renovation of Bacharach's timeless standards. This is a reverent tribute to American classics including - among others - string-invigorated versions of "Make It Easy on Yourself" and "Alfie," along with sweeping renditions of "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," "In Between the Heartaches" and "This Guy's in Love with You." It's an evening that allows both Bacharach and Isley to shine.
Thu, Jul 15, 2004
Explosive and energetic, Alanis Morissette pulls in the audience on this Soundstage with hints of hard rock, gentle folk, electronic beats and free flowing Eastern melodies. The set includes quintessential hits about loving and letting go from the seven-time Grammy winner's days as a confessional rock phenomenon. The singer/songwriter also introduces fans to her latest and most adventurous album, So-Called Chaos. The honest, unadulterated performance reflects Morissette's move away from her days as a rancorous 90's rocker, and into the mode of mature musician ready to experiment with her strengths. Morissette's enduring introspection, continual evolution and evocative stage presence shine in this Soundstage performance.
Thu, Jul 22, 2004
This episode features the eclectic, dynamic and wonderful Peter Wolf who is best known for his years fronting the J. Geils Band. Wolf's delivery is high velocity all the way with songs including: "Growin' Pain," "Long Way Back Again," "Nothing But The Wheel," "Long Line," "Homework," "Believe in Me," "Sleepless," "Cry One More Time," "All Torn Up" and "Waiting on The Moon." Singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Presley introduces audiences to her debut album To Whom It May Concern in an introspective, candid and compelling Soundstage performance.
Thu, Aug 5, 2004
Cyndi Lauper, the punky New York princess who just wanted to have fun in the 80's, has matured into a woman who can add an organic honesty to classic standards, as featured on this Soundstage and in her most recent album At Last. From Edith Piaf's "La Vie En Rose" and "Hymn to Love," to the playful "Makin' Whoopee," to somber serenades like "Unchained Melody," "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" and "Walk on By," Lauper elevates her adoring audience with a revealing candor, an impressive range and a pensive sense for interpretation. But her performance is also a celebration with Lauper's innate sparkle shining through the fun flashbacks "Time After Time," "True Colors," "Money Changes Everything," "Shine" and, of course, "Girls Just Want To Have Fun." With the audience dancing on chairs, and the artist running up the aisles and delivering anecdotal asides, Grammy-winning Lauper reveals that she's a true performer - at ease with her identity as a modern pop powerhouse, but prepared to revel in her most recent reincarnation.
Thu, Aug 19, 2004
Veteran rebel and godmother of folk, Joan Baez brings a feeling of hope, dignity and humor to the set of Soundstage in an evening that recalls the icon's success in the 60's, but also shows that she and other featured artists are looking after folk's future. Welch performs her Appalachian-influenced "Look at Miss Ohio" and the up-tempo track "No One Knows My Name" while engaging viewers with her uncanny ability to be both soul and folk in the same instant. Clean-cut Nickel Creek, who are produced by Alison Krauss and recently won their own Grammy, point the direction in which instrumental folk is headed. On this episode, the 20-something trio plays their hit "Smoothie Song," along with the crowd-pleasing "I Should've Known Better."
Thu, Aug 26, 2004
The Counting Crows rock their way through an evening in which poetry seems to explode from the band's repertoire of blues/rock/country hits. Fresh off the release of their greatest hits album Films About Ghosts (taken from a line in the song "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby"), the band reflects on its 10-year history in a Soundstage episode that highlights the iconic "Mr. Jones," along with other up-tempo tunes including "Hangin' Around," "Rain King" and "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby." Grammy winner Shelby Lynne plays songs from the album that critics are calling her defining effort - Identity Crisis - a collection of songs that the singer/songwriter penned and produced herself.
Thu, Sep 16, 2004
Smooth delivery, high-spirited melodies, that velvet voice and a soul-stirring rhythmic foundation. All are the elements that Steve Winwood brings to Soundstage featuring his work from the album About Time and hits from his days with Traffic (recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame). Works from Winwood's current recordings represent a tapestry of tastes woven after 40 years in music.