Singer/songwriter/pianist Norah Jones returns to the ACL stage, showcasing songs from her bestselling album Not Too Late. See details
Did you miss the Pearl Jam broadcast? Watch it online! See details
Season 35 episodes are available NOW! Watch online. See details
Check out recipes by your favorite ACL artists! See details
The Austin City Limits studio has been designated a rock and roll landmark by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. See details
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This week on ACL: Norah JonesThe multi-talented Norah Jones returns to the ACL stage with songs from her acclaimed CD Not Too Late.. |
January 2009
Manu Chao stopped by our studios in mid-September of 2008, just as we were ramping up for ACL Fest,
which is the most hectic time of the ACL taping season. Though not as well known in America, Manu is a veteran and venerated act in much Europe and Latin America.
If you live in Austin, you are probably familar with this image - it appears on the side of what used to be the Sound Exchange building on the drag (Guadalupe). The image gained notoriety when Kurt Cobain wore a t-shirt with the drawing on it to what seemed like every public appearance he made in the early 90s.
The drawing is by artist, singer, songwriter, and musician Daniel Johnston, who became a vital part of the Austin music scene during the 80s. His tape Yip/Jump Music, made in his brother’s garage with rudimentary instruments and equipment, became his seminal work. Plagued throughout his life by mental health issues, Daniel has had many ups and downs throughout the last several decades.
Glen Hansard is a huge fan of Daniel’s and wanted to approach him about playing with them on ACL. We were all really glad it came together, and seeing Daniel perform on our stage actually gave me chills. After the taping I dug a little deeper into Daniel’s catalog, and felt like I was finding treasure. I absolutely recommend him to
anyone who wants to discover heartfelt, raw, and intriguing music.
If you’re interested in learning more about him, The Devil and Daniel Johnston is a good place to start - it’s a fascinating documentary.
Daniel’s bio from All Music Guide follows…
When we booked The Swell Season last fall, they mentioned that it might be really cool to have a kid’s choir join them on their song “Falling Slowly.” During their last tour, they had been joined by a middle school choir in Milwaukee and had a really great experience. I heard about the Conspirare Youth Choir, so I contacted their choir director, Nina, about the possibility of performing on Austin City Limits with The Swell Season. Both the director and the kids were super excited about it, and although it was short notice, they did a fantastic job pulling it off. The kids were very professional, and they even learned a song on the fly to sing with special guest Daniel Johnston.
Thanks so much to the Conspirare Youth Choir and Choir Director Nina Revering! Rehearsal photos by Cynthia Densmore.
Click through for more photos…
It’s the show I never thought would happen. It never in a million years occurred to me that Nick Lowe, one of the U.K.’s wittiest, most incisive, most romantic and all-around greatest songwriters (and one of my all-time faves, as my hyperbole might suggest) would ever appear on Austin City Limits. I never brought his name up during talent conversations because I just couldn’t make the connection.
Then producer Terry Lickona saw him play at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in 2007. After that it was only a matter of time.
The show (taped on October 9) was a longtime fan’s dream, with a superb mix of old favorites from his pub rock days (”When I Write the Book,” “All Men Are Liars,” “[What's So Funny 'Bout] Peace, Love and Understanding”) and material from the recent decade’s country/soul balladeer phase (”Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day,” “The Beast in Me,” the hilariously evil “I Trained Her to Love Me”), plus “I Read a Lot,” an as-yet-unrecorded tune. It was exquisite.
Unfortunately, space limitations mean we can’t include every song he did, which means diehards will be complaining about the omission of their favorites over the virtual watercooler. But I think it’s an excellent mix of old and new and puts the man’s magnificent talent in the best possible light.
My niece, who at six is one of the biggest Nick Lowe fans I know, turned to her mother after the second or third song and exclaimed “I love him!” Right on, baby.
Mr. Lowe is paired with the Swell Season, who also gave a wonderful performance(about which more later). It’s one of my favorite episodes. It feeds to PBS stations this Saturday - check your local listings for airdates.
Steve Martin is releasing a banjo album. Details here.
I guess that 5-string in his hands in the 70s wasn’t a prop after all.
This has nothing to do with ACL; I just like Martin and think this is interesting.
Funding for Austin City Limits is provided by the following:
Photos by Scott Newton.