Radio On The TV: Week Of November 16, 2009

Last week on Letterman, The Cribs performed a blistering version of "We Share The Same Skies" form the newest album Ignore The Ignorant. The performance was notable not only for the band's now-familiar frenetic aesthetic, but also because of its current fourth member.

 

That would be Johnny Marr, formerly of The Smiths.

 

And formerly of a lot of other entities, too.

 

Thanks to his enviable songwriting output, his nuanced arrangements, and his unique, reverbed style, Marr has long been in demand among artists in need of an outside shot of six-string inspiration. Immediately following the dissolution of the Smiths in 1987, Marr joined—briefly—the Pretenders, the first in a long list of guest appearances and personal projects. A brief rundown:

 

In 1987, Marr contributed his signature sound to the Talking Heads' "(Nothing But) Flowers" single, where his chiming tone sat perfectly with the song's West African's feel. Marr later appeared in the song's video.

 

 

In 1988, Marr joined The The, acting as a full time member for the Mind Bomb and Dusk albums. (Both are great; seek them out.)

 

 

In addition to his duties in The The, Marr was a member of Electronic, a supergroup also featuring Bernard Sumner of New Order and Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys. Electronic released three albums (the latter two without Tennant) in the '90s. "Out Of My League" appeared on the group's 1996 album Raise The Pressure. Also in this 1996 Later With Jools Holland appearance are Jimi Goodwin of Doves on bass and Jed Lynch, later Peter Gabriel's drummer.

 

 

In 2006, Marr joined Pacific Northwest stars Modest Mouse, co-writing some songs on the band's 2007 album We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank. Below, the Marr-fortified Modest Mouse perform on Letterman in May 2007.

 

 

In 2008, Marr officially joined English guitar rockers the Cribs.

 

 

This Week's Listings

This week, Letterman welcomes a string of big names to 53rd and Broadway. Wednesday, head Kink Ray Davies stops by, Thursday John Mayer takes the stage, and Lyle Lovett is the guest on Friday.

Also this week, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon reaffirms its status as late night's most eclectically booked show: Neko Case (who had a difficult show in New Jersey over the weekend) on Tuesday, the soon to be mega Avett Brothers Wednesday, Brooklyn indie rockers Obits Thursday, and up-and-coming TV personality Elvis Costello Friday.

 

The Jay Leno Show [sched]

No musical guests this week.

 

The Tonight Show [sched]

Monday: Carrie Underwood

Wednesday: Brian Setzer Orchestra

Thursday: Leona Lewis

Friday: Bon Jovi

 

Late Show With David Letterman [sched]

Tuesday: The Script

Wednesday: Ray Davies

Thursday: John Mayer

Friday: Lyle Lovett

 

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon [sched]

Tuesday: Neko Case

Wednesday: The Avett Brothers

Thursday: Obits

Friday: Elvis Costello

 

Jimmy Kimmel Live [sched]

Monday: Chickenfoot (R)

Tuesday: OneRepublic

Friday: Death Cab For Cutie

 

Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson [sched]

Monday: Ben Harper and Relentless7

Friday: David Gray

 

Last Call With Carson Daly [sched]

Monday: Anya Marina (R)

 

Last week, Mariah Carey brought her pipes to Letterman to perform "H.A.T.E.U.," and Huey Lewis and the News played Jimmy Kimmel Live. Yes, Jimmy joins the horn section on this version of "Doing It All For My Baby."