One more year, the standard bearers of indie rock I have it have celebrated Hanukkah among the December 14 to 21 at the Bowery Ballroom in New York. And they have surprised again with a long list of guests.
As they have been doing for many years, Yo La Tengo have celebrated Hannukah – the Jewish holiday that coincides with Christmas, also known as the Festival of Lights – in New York and they have done so – as is also tradition – with many guests who have accompanied them performing their own songs and an infinite number of very diverse versions. The performances were held on consecutive nights from December 14 to December 21. Tickets for all the concerts were sold out in a few hours, without the participating artists being known, who appeared by surprise during the course of each of the shows.
At the end of the concert, some CD-mixes made by different participants were put on sale for charity purposes for different associations such as House Justice For All –with cover by himself Daniel Clowesone of the great comic book artists in the United States–, African either ROCC NYCamong others.
The first night, the group had the collaboration of Sun Ra Arkestra and Jon Glaser. And the most surprising thing is that the Sun Ra Arkestra is still under the direction of Marshall Allen, who is currently one hundred and one years old. In addition to songs by Sun Ra and Yo La Tengo, they covered Jad Fair, Blue Oyster Cult, Ace Frehley, The Ronettes or Richard Hell. Both the orchestra and Jon Glaser also participated the previous year.
The second day featured a special tribute to the film director and actor Rob Reiner (covering songs from “This Is Spinal Tap”), died along with his wife at the hands of one of his children, with the participation of artists such as Doug Martsch from Built To Spill. It was versioned to REM, The Velvet Underground or Bob Dylan.
The third night had as guests Scrawl or the comedian Ana Gasteyerand was versioned to The Hondells, Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Velvet Undergroundetc.
On the fourth night, Yo La Tengo featured musicians such as Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Matt Berninger (The National)or comedians like Wyatt Cenac. Themes of P!nk, Fred Neil and others, although most of the night’s set were songs by the band themselves. I have it.
On the fifth night, songs from Wilco, The Dixie Cups or Randy Newmanamong others, with the collaboration of Norah Jones, Nate Amos from This Is Lorelei and comedians like Patti Harrison and Clara O’Kane.
On the sixth night, none other than Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy –who already participated in the 2010 and 2017 shows– along with his children Spencer and Sammy. Most of the concert were songs from Tweedy’s triple album, along with some versions of Herman’s Hermits and others.
The seventh night was Lucinda Williams who accompanied them to perform songs by different artists, including Grand Funk Railroad, Richard Hell, Ohio Express or The Velvet Underground.
The farewell on the eighth night had as guests Susanna Hoffs from The Bangles, Jon Benjamin, Florry and the wrath made, Marilyn Kaplan as a guest vocalist, as well as backup musicians, who have been present at several of the shows. Together they attacked with songs of Bob Dylan, The Bangles, Simon & Garfunkel.
