Music Special

Back to the Garden: Woodstock Remembered

A two-hour look back at the 1969 music festival that rocked the world, including performances by Jefferson Airplane, Credence Clearwater Revival, Joe Cocker, CSNY, The Who, Arlo Guthrie and Joan Baez. (Airs 9-11am)

The Other Side of the Mirror: Bob Dylan, Live at the Newport Folk Festival

Bob Dylan created a modern myth in 1965 by plugging in an electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival. (11am-noon)

Simon and Garfunkel: Live 1969

In 1969, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel hit the road -- then went on a 13-year hiatus. We present an hour of musical highlights from the tour and archival interviews. (Noon-1pm)

The Byrds: There Is a Season

This is the first of a two-part documentary on The Byrds, covering 1964 to 1967: the hit-making years of the band's original five members. (1-2pm; Part 2 follows at 2pm)

The Byrds: Farther Along

Part two of this two-hour documentary on The Byrds covers 1968 to 1972: the groundbreaking country-rock years. (Airs 2-3pm; Part one airs 1-2pm)

Santana: Multi-Dimensional Warrior

Playing music and being a force for change have kept Carlos Santana going for 40 years. We highlight tracks reflecting his deep spirituality. (Airs 3-4pm)

From Elvis in Memphis

In 1969, Elvis returned to his hometown to work with hit-makers American Sound Studios and created one of his most critically acclaimed albums. (Airs 4-5pm)

Michael Jackson Memorial Service

KCRW will air Michael Jackson’s Memorial Service in its entirely on KCRW.com’s all music channel starting at 10am on Tuesday, July 7. Stevie Wonder, Motown records founder Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Jennifer Hudson, and Lionel Ritchie are among the attendees expected to attend the public memorial, although the list is subject to change and few official details on the program have been announced...

Leonard Bernstein: An American Life

This groundbreaking 11-hour documentary series illuminates the life and work of musical titan Leonard Bernstein, narrated by Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon. Virtually every aspect of Bernstein's career and life is explored through the words of Bernstein's own correspondence as well as interviews with more than one hundred people who knew and worked with him, including musicians and Bernstein's family.

Note: Airs 9 am-5 pm and 7-10 pm, this special broadcast pre-empts the day's regular programming. (NPR's All Things Considered will air 5-7 pm.)

Pink Martini Live at Disney Hall

KCRW rings in the New Year with a live performance by Pink Martini from the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown Los Angeles. The Oregon-based ensemble sample cocktail, Cuban, and classical chamber music for a delectable mix. Veteran jazz vocalist Jimmy Scott joins Pink Martini as a special guest for the evening. (Pink Martini will perform two sets on December 31 at 7pm and 10:30pm. Tickets may still be available via the box office -- 323-850-2000 -- and online at LAPhil.com.)

(Begins at 10:20pm)

The Christmas Revels: In Celebration of the Winter Solstice 2008

The Revels feature composed "art music" and sacred and secular folk materials from European and American observances of Christmas, New Year's, the Feast of Fools and Twelfth Night, and of the Winter Solstice, some of which date back to pre-Christian times. (Broadcast from 3-5pm, this program pre-empts the first edition of All Things Considered.)

Choirs and Carols: An NPR Christmas

Hear ancient harmonies from Trio Medieval, carols from the Riga Dom Boys Choir, and a rare Christmas song by Sibelius, from Finland's YL Choir. The Pittsburgh Brass unpacks a pair of 500-pound bells to ring in the holiday, and the members of Trio Voronezh tune up a balalaika or two.

(Airing 2-3pm, this program pre-empts Marketplace and Bookworm. Part II of Michael Silverblatt's interview with Marilynne Robinson will be podcast and archived online.)

Jazz Piano Christmas

From the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and with a Latin twist, original interpretations of holiday favorites are performed by Eliane Elias, Arturo O'Farrill, Rebeca Mauleón, and New Orleans' modern jazz pianist, Ellis Marsalis. (Broadcast from 1-2pm, this program pre-empts The World.)

Songs of Joy and Peace: The Yo-Yo Ma Holiday Party

Hosted by John Schaefer, featured artists include James Taylor, Alison Krauss, Diana Krall, Dave Brubeck, Paquito d'Rivera, Chris Thile, Sergio Assad, Chris Botti and others. They collaborate with Ma on a range of sacred and secular songs. (This program airs from noon-1pm and pre-empts To the Point.)

Chanukah in Story and Song

Narrated by Leonard Nimoy, the acclaimed vocal sextet, The Western Wind Vocal Ensemble, presents 25 eclectic selections from Ladino songs of the Spanish Jews and Yiddish melodies of Eastern Europe to modern Israeli tunes. (Airs 7-8pm, pre-empting Which Way, L.A.?)

Willie Nelson: My Own Peculiar Way and True Outlaw Stories

Rodney Crowell hosts two hours of songs and stories about the country legend that will take you deep inside this American maverick's heart, soul and mind. Features hilarious episodes from the "band of gypsies" on tour with him over the last 40 years, plus his best-known songs and his life story.

The Elvis Presley '68 Comeback

NBC's 1968 Elvis Comeback Special has been called one of the "Most Memorable Moments in Television History." Hear unplugged sessions, backstage rehearsals and other rarely heard recordings, some of the move captivating that Elvis Presley ever set to tape.

Dennis Wilson: Pacific Ocean Blue

In 1977, Dennis Wilson's Pacific Ocean Blue became the first solo LP to be released by a member of the legendary Beach Boys. It still stands as one of the great cult-classic albums of the 1970's and a crucial puzzle-piece in the Wilson family's long musical history. Voices of family, friends and colleagues help complete the picture of a complex artist.

McCabe's at 50

Legacy Player:

KCRW celebrates the history of McCabe’s Guitar Shop in an exclusive three-hour music special produced by the station, McCabe’s at 50. It airs and streams live from 9am to noon PST on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27 and repeats on New Year's Eve, Wednesday, December 31, 2008.

Barbara Cook: My Life in American Music

This KCRW exclusive features music and memories that showcase Barbara Cook's career from across six decades of Broadway musical, concerts and cabaret performances. Hosted by Dale Franzen, Director of the Broad Stage.

Carole King: Tapestry

A radio special that tells the story of King's classic album, featuring favorite songs and interviews with Carole, producer Lou Adler, Graham Nash and more.

Whole Lotta Shakin'

This 10-hour series explores rockabilly – the brash, fast-paced 1950's mix of blues, gospel, jazz, country and popular music that is a foundation of rock and roll. Hosted by Rosie Flores, the series visits the cradle of rockabilly and profiles the stars of the genre, including Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and Buddy Holly. It also presents the music's female stars and explores the rockabilly sounds of California. You'll hear the stories of many of the period's best-loved songs, from "Rave On" to "I Walk the Line." Click on MORE for specifics on each segment. (Airs 9am-5pm  and 7-9pm.)