The Boss does double-duty with his new Western Stars movie, while a strong slate of big-name players — including Jim James, David Byrne, Chance the Rapper, H.E.R. and more — take to the airwaves. Feast your eyes on this week’s TV and movie music:
THE SMALL SCREEN
Monday
Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys | Jimmy Kimmel Live
Jim James, Teddy Abrams & the Louisville Orchestra | Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Yungblud feat. Dan Reynolds | Late Show With Stephen Colbert
Sam Fender | Late Night With Seth Meyers
Tuesday
David Byrne & Brooklyn Youth Choir | Jimmy Kimmel Live
Noah Cyrus | Late Late Show With James Corden
Wednesday
The National | Jimmy Kimmel Live
Jenny Lewis | Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Shooter Jennings | The View
Thursday
Chance the Rapper, Brockhampton | Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Toby Keith | Late Show With Stephen Colbert
A$AP Ferg | Late Night With Seth Meyers
Friday
Sugarhill Gang | Jimmy Kimmel Live
Saturday
Chance the Rapper | Saturday Night Live
H.E.R. | Austin City Limits
THE BIG SCREEN
Bruce Springsteen
Western Stars
THE PRESS RELEASE: “Bruce Springsteen’s Western Stars album, released this summer, contains some of his most beguiling work ever. He’s trying new things musically, recording with a 30-piece orchestra and drawing inspiration from country ballads. The album begs to be heard through cinema speakers for its lush arrangements and storytelling. Even the characters in these songs belong to the movies. (“Once I was shot by John Wayne,” boasts the B actor in the title track.) Springsteen has only performed the album live once — for a private audience at his farmhouse — and this documentary captures that experience. Standing at centre stage, he’s flanked by an orchestra and his wife, Patti Scialfa. The archetypal character in these songs is a loner seeking redemption in love. In his memoir, Springsteen describes himself in similar terms, with Scialfa as his redeemer. Between songs, he reflects with a poetic rumination that expands on the themes of his Broadway show, Springsteen on Broadway, describing the oppositional pulls of American life between the transient and the communal. One tug is to hit the road; the other is to build a family. After 19 studio albums, he says, “I’m still writing about cars.” This is the first full-length film to carry Springsteen’s name as director — partnered with his long-time collaborator Thom Zimny. As he turns 70 this fall, Springsteen never stops trying to expand himself artistically. His instincts are unfailing — all the way down to the surprise cover song slipped in at the end.”
