ITunes just posted six HBO “Treme” music videos. These are the full filmed versions of abbreviated performances that appeared in the best TV show that the Emmy’s ever forgot. The dapper young dude hitting the jukebox selection in each introductory sequence is “Uncle” Lionel Batiste of the Treme Brass Band … and yes he dresses that way every day cuz down here every girls crazy bout a sharp dressed man.
And are they good? Well here’s what Brian Williams said about one of them on his blog “The Daily Nightly” a few days ago.
“Do you want a song that will kick you down the stairs? And then, at the bottom of the stairs (you still can’t believe you went down like a ton of bricks — like a rag doll — like a bag of donuts), when you finally get yourself together and stagger to your feet, it walks up to you (you’re almost whimpering at this point) and it hits you with a bat. And you’re thinking: ‘Whoa, where’d you get a bat?’
“That kind of a song.
“Here it is: TIME IS ON MY SIDE by Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint
“This classic, contained on the killer soundtrack of the killer HBO series ‘Treme,’ is a playground — a canvas — for an American original, the great Ms. Thomas and her incredible instrument of a voice. It was overshadowed by the Rolling Stones version of the song, but Irma Thomas’s vocal performance is incredible. While you’re at it, download other songs from the ‘Treme’ soundtrack.
“We’re originating from our NBC News Washington Bureau tonight, as I came here to participate in a forum. We hope you can join us tonight. Download that song.”
You can download the iTunes “Treme” videos by going to iTunes store, search-box “Treme,” scroll down past “Albums,” “Podcasts,” “TV Seasons” and “iPhone Apps” to “Music Videos.” Click on “See All.”
The six selections are :
“Skokiaan” — Kermit Ruffins and The Barbecue Swingers.
“At The Foot of Canal Street” — John Boutte, Glen David Andrews, Paul Sanchez and
New Birth Brass Band.
“Homage A Poullard” – The Pine Leaf Boys with Lucia Micarelli.
“Meanwhile” — Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk.
“Drink a Little Poison (4 U Die)” — John Mooney and The Soul Rebels Brass Band.
“Time Is On My Side” — Irma Thomas, Dave Bartholomew, Allen Toussaint & Friends.
Just FYI, John Boutte wrote and performs the title track to Treme and Dumpstaphunk features Ivan Neville ( formerly of the Xpensive Winos) on keyboards and his cousin Ian Neville on guitar. The second generation Funky Meters.
Oh yeah for the full boat load of songs from the show, including the title song, iTunes also sells a soundtrack “album” which is killer.
I’m just gonna channel Joe Bob for a second and say “check it out”.
