Top 10 Live Performances of 2009 on MBE

Top 10 Performances of 2009
On Morning Becomes Eclectic

It's never easy picking favorites, and near impossible in the case of choosing just ten performances from the outstanding slate of live guests this past year on Morning Becomes Eclectic. So many great memories, from a rainy Monday session with Andrew Bird to the frenetic world beat of Portugal's Buraka Som Sistema. Tori Amos pouring herself over the piano as she channeled her music, or Elbow's folksy storytelling and song made lasting impressions. I'll never forget speaking with Yusuf (formerly Cat Stevens) about Islam and popular music, or sitting with Malian couple Amadou & Mariam discussing how blindness has helped sharpen their musical acumen. It is truly amazing to consider all of the talent we have welcomed into the basement studios of KCRW.

Looking back, I'm proudest of the overall range of talent we feature. For example, one week last month featured Brazilian troupe Forro in the Dark, Norwegian Electronic duo Royksopp, and Country music icon Rosanne Cash in the span of just a few days. We cover a lot of ground musically, and it's a good thing. Of course, it takes a village here to make these things happen, so a special thanks to Ariana Morgenstern, who books the bands, our stellar Engineers Ray Guarna and Mario Diaz for making it all sound so good, Robert LaFond for web video footage, and the studio volunteers and record labels for their continued support. I'm looking forward to another terrific year of live music on KCRW, a regular feature on MBE that is a rare platform for both established artists and emerging talent from all corners of the globe - thank you for your listenership and support!

-- Jason Bentley, Music Director

Mayer Hawthorne

hosted by Jason Bentley
Mayer Hawthorne a soulful singer from Ann Arbor, Michigan brings his band to perform a set of love songs when he joins Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am. more >>

Scarlett Johansson and Pete Yorn

hosted by Jason Bentley
Scarlett Johansson and Pete Yorn team up to sing songs of heartache on their collaborative release, "Break Up." They share anecdotes from their experience and gift us with … more >>

Silversun Pickups

hosted by Jason Bentley
L.A. based Silversun Pickups explore songs from their new recording live on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am. more >>

Z-Trip

hosted by Jason Bentley
Esteemed deejay Z-Trip mans the turntables on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am. more >>

Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard

hosted by Jason Bentley
Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard talk about their collaboration scoring The Dark Knight on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am. more >>

White Lies

hosted by Jason Bentley
White Lies SXSW showcase made fans of just about everyone, including us. We hear from one of Jason Bentley's favorite bands of the year when White Lies perform on Morning … more >>

David Gray

hosted by Jason Bentley
Multi-platinum selling artist David Gray loves KCRW so much, he even dropped by for a performance on his wedding day years ago. We've had him back many times since and he … more >>

Theresa Andersson

hosted by Jason Bentley
Theresa Andersson becomes a one-woman band on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am. more >>

Raphael Saadiq

hosted by Jason Bentley
Soulful sound of Raphael Saadiq live on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am. more >>

Bat For Lashes

hosted by Jason Bentley
Natasha Khan frontwoman for Bat For Lashes brings a batch of tunes for Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am. more >>
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