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Tools To Enjoy More Music - Austin City Limits @ video.pbs.org

A few years ago, I stumbled across the Austin City Limits television show website. I was searching for some live music, and found the mother load. The site can be a bit cumbersome at times, but it exists as a tremendous treasure chest of some of the best music our country has to offer. The concerts were all supported by PBS, free music, paid for by our taxes potentially soon to go away.

I have featured my three favorite episodes. There are so many excellent artists, I have barely made a dent. But I will do my best to go through and chronicle them for you to make it easier.

PEARL JAM

First is, an excellent intimate hour long Pearl Jam concert. The set list includes an excellent version of 'Porch', some awesome treatments of 'Just Breathe' with a strings section, and a fantastic version of 'Red Mosquito' with Ben Harper on steel guitar

Chapter 3:Just Breathe
Chapter 4:The End
Chapter 5:The Fixer
Chapter 6:Johnny Guitar
Chapter 7:Amongst The Waves
Chapter 8:Unknown Thought
Chapter 9:Army Reserve
Chapter 10:Do The Evolution
Chapter 11:Lukin
Chapter 12:Red Mosquito
Chapter 13:Inside Job
Chapter 14:Porch

Chapter 12: featuring Ben Harper on steel guitar

Watch the full episode. See more Austin City Limits.


IRON  & WINE

I recently introduced some of you to Iron & Wine

.  Here's a good five song look at some of the softer moments.  Sorry Aimee Mann, But I typically skip right to Iron & Wine, I just can't wait to see the beard.

Chapter listing:
8. Each Coming Night -from Our Endless Numbered Days
9. Love & Some Verses -from Our Endless Numbered Days
10. Upward Over the Mountain -from The Creek Drank The Cradle
11. Boy With A Coin -from The Shepherd's Dog
12. Trapeeze Swinger -from Around The Well
13. Interview

Chapter 11 'Boy With A Coin

Watch the full episode. See more Austin City Limits.


STEVE MARTIN

An excellent episode with Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers. They are playing some songs from The Crow - New Songs for the Five String Banjo and some additional humorous tracks.  Don't be shocked by how stiff Steve looks at time, keep in mind he's actually playing the banjo, and extremely well at that. The best part is Steve Martin's intro:

""It has been a longtime dream of mine to play bluegrass on Austin City Limits
and tonight, I feel I am one step closer to that goal.


Song list is as follows:
1:45 - Pitkin County Turnaround
4:59 - Daddy Played Banjo
9:22 - The Crow
12:50 - The Atheist Hymnal
16:36 - Hide Behind A Rock
19:25 - Jubilation Day (a new track for his 2nd album)
23:06 - Calico Train
followed by Sarah Jarosz


I hope you all follow course and give a good listen to Sarah Jarosz.  I've heard a lot of good buzz about her!

Watch the full episode. See more Austin City Limits.

The list outstanding artists is deep: Black Keys, Avett Brothers, Andrew Bird, M. Ward, Willie Nelson, Norah Jone, Dave Matthews Band, and Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, just to name a few.  I'll try to get some more highlights for a future post(s). 

 Meanwhile, here's a good address to save for future use: video.pbs.org

















Enjoy!

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