Friday, January 2, 2009

11:00-midnight - Soundstage: Josh Groban.
In 2007, the Grammy-nominated Josh Groban became the best-selling recording artist of the year thanks to sales of Awake and his blockbuster Christmas album, Noel now the best-selling holiday album of all time. Groban has recently released his third live DVD, entitled Awake Live, from which this special Soundstage presentation is taken. The segment, filmed in front of 15,000 screaming fans at Salt Lake City’s Energy Solutions Arena during Groban’s 81-city Awake tour, includes electrifiying versions of “You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up),” “Machine,” and “Awake.”

Saturday, January 3, 2009

7:00-8:00 - Lawrence Welk Show
10:00-11:00 - Austin City Limits: Lucinda Williams/Old Crow Medicine Show.
Anointed “America’s best songwriter” by Time magazine, Lucinda Williams performs songs from the album West. Nashville-connected Old Crow Medicine Show puts a rocking spin on old-time string band music with tunes from Big Iron World. 

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

9:30-10:00 - From the Top at Carnegie Hall Special Edition: Rhythm and Strings.
16-year-old marimba player Joshua Jones of Chicago, Illinois, finds rhythm all around him, sometimes even while doing his household chores. Also featured is 12-year-old violinist Anna Lee, from Queens, New York, performing Pablo de Saraste’s “Ziguenerweisen” (“Gypsy Airs”), Op. 20, No. 1, She also appears as one-third of the Maggiore Trio — the final performers on this episode. Rounding out the trio are 11-year-old pianist Alice Burla, who was featured in the first season of FROM THE TOP AT CARNEGIE HALL, and 13-year-old cellist Taeguk Mun.

Friday, January 9, 2009

11:00-midnight - Soundstage: Counting Crows: Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings.
In this SOUNDSTAGE set, Counting Crows performs the majority of their fifth studio release, Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings, a tightly crafted concept album. The Saturday Nights songs are upbeat; the Sunday Mornings selections have a more reflective, subdued tone. Frontman Adam Duritz starts the night off with a raucous version of the album's opener “1492.” Other highlights include the moody “Washington Square,” accompanied by piano and acoustic guitar, “Le Ballet d'Or” and “When I Dream of Michelangelo.”

Saturday, January 10, 2009

7:00-8:00 - Lawrence Welk Show
10:00-11:00 - Austin City Limits: Paolo Nutini/Grupo Fantasma.
U.K. sensation Paolo Nutini debuts with soulful pop songs from his hit album These Streets. Austin’s Grupo Fantasma throws down with the high-energy Latin funk it’s taken to stages across the country

Friday, January 16, 2009

11:00-midnight - Soundstage: Idina Menzel with Josh Groban and Ravi Coltrane.
Tony Award-winner Menzel was featured in Rent and Wicked , two of the best-selling musical cast recordings of all time. Throughout this special episode of SOUNDSTAGE, taped in New York City inside the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Centert, Menzel reveals her quirky personality, maintaining a truly personal connection with the audience by sharing stories of her upbringing, early career and lyrics before launching into songs from her third album, I Stand. Highlights include “Better to Have Loved,” “My Own Worst Enemy” and “Brave.” Critically acclaimed saxophonist Ravi Coltrane joins Menzel on “Perfume and Promises.” In the finale, none other than Josh Groban drops by for a duet of his hit single “Awake.”

Saturday, January 17, 2009
7:00-8:00 - Lawrence Welk Show
10:00-11:00 - Austin City Limits: Foo Fighters.
In this new episode of ACL, Grammy Award-winners the Foo Fighters rock the ACL stage with songs from their latest album, Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace.

Friday, January 23, 2009

11:00-midnight - Soundstage: Foreigner.
Lou Gramm might not be with the band, but singer Kelly Hansen and lead guitarist Mick Jones still make for a great combination on songs “Hot Blooded” and “Double Vision.” All the smash hits are here, including “Cold as Ice,” “Juke Box Hero” and “Urgent."

Saturday, January 24, 2009

7:00-8:00 - Lawrence Welk Show
10:00-11:00 - Austin City Limits: Manu Chao.
French/Spanish singer/songwriter and international star Manu Chao showcases politically charged, danceable rock ‘n’ roll from his album La Radiolina .

Friday, January 30, 2009

11:00-midnight - Soundstage: B.B. King.
Truly the reigning king of blues, B.B. King over the last 60 years has developed one of the world’s most identifiable guitar styles and has influenced thousands of musicians. Known for integrating precise and complex string bends with left-hand vibrato, King has a uniquely regal and velvety tone, making every note count. With his trademark Gibson “Lucille” settled on his lap, King presents a set filled with staggering guitar jams on hits like “The Thrill Is Gone” and “One Kind Favor.” In between songs, King’s characteristic affable persona shines through as he introduces the band with whom he’s always toured and shares stories from his life. Special guests Terrence Howard, Solange and guitarist Richie Sambora stop by to jam and pay tribute to this renowned blues master. The legend is in his element on this episode of SOUNDSTAGE.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

7:00-8:00 - Lawrence Welk Show
10:00-11:00 - Austin City Limits: Nick Lowe/The Swell Season: Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova.
British songwriting legend Nick Lowe surveys his 30-plus-year catalog with classics and new tunes. Oscar-winning Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova, aka the Swell Season, perform cuts from the soundtrack of their movie ONCE.

 As always, you can check the NPT schedule at wnpt.net.