The Best in Late-Night Music: Week of April 20
Sometimes you need to remember your elders.
This week’s late-night trip was an old -school schooling. Usually, I am caught up in new music bliss while watching Conan, Dave, Jimmy, Seth, and the other late-night ringleaders. They are continually serving fresh-faced, new acts feeling renewed stepping in front of America for the first time. But this week was different — a parade of legacy acts reminding me that our elders should not be forgotten.
This week’s late-night champ: Geezers
I mean it with love. This week’s late-night shows were filled with geezer musicians proving what it means to own your craft. These dudes have chops and creative juice honed by years of banging it out night after night. It was a master class at midnight.
MONDAY
The Waterboys on The Late Show With David Letterman
Back with a new cast of players (more than 70 musicians have passed through the band since its 1983 formation), the 2015 version of the Waterboys played with grandeur and grace. Frontman Mike Scott may lyrically overreach at times, but his commitment to literate rock is admirable. Plus, new keyboardist Paul Brown has to be the happiest Waterboy ever to play in the band.
TUESDAY
Dwight Yoakam on Late Night With Seth Meyers
If you need to be reminded all the reason why Dwight Yoakam is still a vital musical treasure 29 years after his debut album, watch this full-court rockabilly-country-punk assault in easily the best late-night performance of the week. His new album, Second Hand Heart, is available now and required listening.
WEDNESDAY
Chet Faker on Jimmy Kimmel Live
The one exception this old-school rule this week is Australian Chet Faker (his name itself a pun on an old-school jazz great, the late Chet Baker). The former Nick Murphy is only 26 but has an old, old soul. Watching him sing his super-groovy single “Gold,” I can see the dude easily being an old white soul crooner 30 years from now.
THURSDAY
Elvis Costello on The Late Show With David Letterman
Costello made his 27th (and probably last) appearance alone with an acoustic guitar and vocal trio the Quills by his side. His mashup of his own “When I Write the Book” and Nick Lowe’s “Everyday I Write the Book” was spellbinding, hair raising and a beautiful farewell to Dave who was clearly touched.
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