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All Seasons

Season 1

Season 2

  • S02E01 Lucinda Williams, The Mavericks

    • July 11, 1998
    • PBS

    Lucinda Williams and the Mavericks perform

  • S02E02 John Hiatt, Imani Coppola

    • July 18, 1998
    • PBS

    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.

  • S02E03 Pat Metheny Group, Angelique Kidjo

    • July 25, 1998
    • PBS

    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

  • S02E04 Natalie Merchant, Virginia Rodrigues

    • July 31, 1998
    • PBS

    Performances by singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant and Brazilian musician Virginia Rodrigues.

  • S02E05 Lou Reed

    • August 7, 1998
    • PBS

    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

  • S02E06 Medeski, Martin & Wood, Holly Cole

    • August 14, 1998
    • PBS

    A double bill featuring songstress 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."

  • S02E07 Brian Setzer Orchestra, Jimmy Scott

    • August 21, 1998
    • PBS

    The Brian Setzer Orchestra; jazz vocalist Jimmy Scott. Setzer's set include "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.

  • S02E08 Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach

    • August 30, 1998
    • PBS

  • S02E09 Cowboy Junkies, Kronos Quartet

    • September 6, 1998
    • PBS

  • S02E10 Neil Finn, The Mavericks

    • September 13, 1998
    • PBS

    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

  • S02E11 Des'ree, John Hiatt

    • September 17, 1998
    • PBS

    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

  • S02E12 Lyle Lovett

    • September 27, 1998
    • PBS

    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

  • S02E13 Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, Wasis Diop

    • October 4, 1998
    • PBS

    A set by Béla 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

  • S02E14 Liz Phair, John Lurie and the Lounge Lizards

    • October 11, 1998
    • PBS

    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.

  • S02E15 Phish, Rufus Wainwright

    • October 20, 1998
    • PBS

    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."

  • S02E16 Los Amigos Invisibles, Afro-Cuban All Stars

    • October 27, 1998
    • PBS

    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

  • S02E17 John Mellencamp, Randy Newman

    • November 3, 1998
    • PBS

    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.

  • S02E18 PJ Harvey, Chocolate Genius

    • November 10, 1998
    • PBS

    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.

  • S02E19 Tori Amos

    • November 17, 1998
    • PBS

    Tori Amos performs. Her set includes "iieee," "Past the Mission," "Caught a Lite Sneeze" and "The Waitress." Host: David Byrne.

  • S02E20 Beth Orton, Joe Henry

    • November 24, 1998
    • PBS

    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

  • S02E21 Balanescu Quartet, Ozomatli

    • December 1, 1998
    • PBS

    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

  • S02E22 Steve Earle & Del McCoury Band

    • December 8, 1998
    • PBS

    Steve Earle and the Del McCoury Band perform a set of original and classic bluegrass songs. Host: David Byrne

  • S02E23 Vic Chesnutt, Lucinda Williams

    • December 15, 1998
    • PBS

    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."

  • S02E24 Anggun, John Mellencamp

    • December 22, 1998
    • PBS

    A set by John Mellencamp includes "Pink Houses" and "Lonely Ol' Night." Also: Indonesian songstress Anggun performs "Selamanya" and "A Rose in the Wind." Host: David Byrne

Season 3

  • S03E01 Rubén Blades

    • September 25, 1999
    • PBS

    Performances by salsa legend Rubén Blades, and Editus, a band of Costa Rican musicians. Host: John Hiatt

  • S03E02 Macy Gray, Sheryl Crow

    • October 8, 1999
    • PBS

    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

  • S03E03 Los Lobos, Diana Krall

    • October 17, 1999
    • PBS

    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

  • S03E04 Robert Cray, Kim Richey

    • October 22, 1999
    • PBS

    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

  • S03E05 Parliament-Funkadelic

    • October 30, 1999
    • PBS

    The 20-piece R&B juggernaut Parliament/Funkadelic performs. Host: John Hiatt

  • S03E06 A Tribute To Gram Parsons

    • November 7, 1999
    • PBS

    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.

  • S03E07 Branford Marsalis, Cesaria Evora

    • November 14, 1999
    • PBS

    Jazz group the Branford Marsalis Quartet performs, as does Cesaria Evora, the Barefoot Diva from West Africa's Cape Verde Islands. Host: John Hiatt

  • S03E08 Dixie Chicks

    • November 21, 1999
    • PBS

    Grammy-winning country-rock-bluegrass stars the Dixie Chicks (Natalie Maines, Martie Seidel and Emily Robison) perform and are interviewed by host John Hiatt.

  • S03E09 Jewel (Christmas special)

    • November 28, 1999
    • PBS

    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."

  • S03E10 Parliament-Funkadelic, Cibo Matto

    • January 2, 2000
    • PBS

    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

  • S03E11 John Prine

    • January 30, 2000
    • PBS

    Folk-musician John Prine performs. John Hiatt is the host.

  • S03E12 Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers, Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals

    • February 6, 2000
    • PBS

    Performances by Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers and Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals. Host: John Hiatt

  • S03E13 Wilco, Patty Griffin

    • February 13, 2000
    • PBS

  • S03E14 Neville Brothers, Ottmar Liebert

    • February 21, 2000
    • PBS

    Performers include the Neville Brothers and Ottmar Liebert. John Hiatt hosts

  • S03E15 Rollins Band, Speech

    • February 28, 2000
    • PBS

    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."

  • S03E16 Marianne Faithfull

    • April 15, 2000
    • PBS

    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"

  • S03E17 Chris Isaak, Kelly Willis

    • April 22, 2000
    • PBS

    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."

  • S03E18 Iggy Pop, Marc Ribot y Los Cubanos Postizos

    • April 30, 2000
    • PBS

    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

  • S03E19 Mary Chapin Carpenter, John Hiatt

    • May 6, 2000
    • PBS

    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

  • S03E20 The Cranberries, Moby

    • May 14, 2000
    • PBS

  • S03E20 The Cranberries, Moby

    • May 14, 2000
    • PBS

  • S03E21 Willie Nelson

    • May 21, 2000
    • PBS

    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."

  • S03E22 G. Love and Special Sauce, Sheryl Crow

    • May 28, 2000
    • PBS

    G. Love and Special Sauce and Sheryl Crow perform at New York's Sony Studios. Host: John Hiatt

  • S03E23 Latin Playboys, Ziggy Marley

    • June 11, 2000
    • PBS

    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

  • S03E24 Mandy Barnett, Chris Isaak

    • June 18, 2000
    • PBS

    Mandy Barnett and Chris Isaak perform. Host: John Hiatt

  • S03E25 Diana Krall, Mark Isham

    • June 18, 2000
    • PBS

Additional Specials

  • SPECIAL 0x1 Neil Finn

    • PBS

    Neil Finn is one of the most respected songwriters in the industry, having performed in the past with such artists as Sheryl Crow, Shawn Colvin, Wendy and Lisa's Wendy Melvoin and Midnight Oil's Jim Moginie. This program features music from Neil's first solo album, "Try Whistling This," as well as hits from his previous bands Split Enz and Crowded House, with a guest appearance by Mark Hart (former Crowded House member). This is the complete show recorded for the award-winning "Sessions at West 54th." Songs: Try Whistling This, Addicted, Fall at Your Feet, Don't Dream It's Over, Twisty Bass, King Tide, I Got You, Dream Date, Sinner, I See Red, Astro, Faster Than Light, Loose Tongue, Souvenir, She Will Have Her Way, Truth, Last One Standing.

  • SPECIAL 0x2 Keb' Mo'

    • July 6, 1997
    • PBS

    Recorded Live in New York is a live music DVD by Keb' Mo' recorded in June 1997 . The performance was recorded for the television series Sessions at West 54th, a studio located in West 54th Street in New York City. The songs recorded on the album are all from Keb' Mo's two prior studio albums.n. "I'm on Your Side" "That's Not Love" "You Can Love Yourself" "Every Morning" "Am I Wrong" "Tell Everybody I Know" "City Boy" "Angelina" "She Just Wants to Dance" "Just Like You" "Dirty Low Down and Bad" "Anybody Seen My Girl" "More Than One Way Home" "Dangerous Mood" [edit]Personnel Keb' Mo': Guitar, harmonica and vocals Laval Belle: Drums and percussion Reggie McBride: Bass guitars Joellen Friedcken: Keyboards Dr. John: Piano and vocals (guest appearance)

  • SPECIAL 0x3 Gram Parsons Tribute

    • November 7, 1999
    • PBS

    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. Track Listing: 1. Opener 2. John Hiatt intro / Return Of The Grevious Angel (Emmylou Harris and Ryan Adams) 3. High Fashion Queen (Steve Earle and Chris Hillman) 4. Hickory Wind (Gillian Welch and David Rawlings) 5. Hot Burrito #1 (The Mavericks) 6. Dialogue: Emmylou and Hiatt / Sin City (Earle, Welch and Rawlings) 7. Dialogue: Emmylou and Hiatt / 100 Years From Now (Wilco) / Dialogue: Emmylou, Hiatt, and Hillman 8. Juanita (Sheryl Crow and Emmylou) / Dialogue: Emmylou, Hillman & Hiatt / Band Introductions 9. Wheels (Hillman & Jim Lauderdale) / Dialogue: Emmylou, Hillman and Hiatt 10. A Song For You (Whiskeytown) 11. In My Hour Of Darkness (Victoria Williams and all performers) / Credits Roll