Sessions at West 45th

Wipe a tear, grab a tissue, and blow your nose, unfortunately our school year is over. Classes are a distant memory and you've forgotten most of the information for half of your finals already. It's a sad time. Some people are graduating, some are sticking around next year, but most people are going home…home, outside New York City. I feel bad for you people, going to places like Indiana, Memphis, and LA, the once vibrant and exciting night life that you knew is being replaced with a town that watches 60 Minutes and goes to bed by 10. What kind of life are you going to have without New York's bars, clubs and parties? Well, don't fret just yet. As a parting gift for those of you in this situation, I will fill you in on a little secret about what you can do on those long, boring, Saturday and Sunday nights at home.

On one of these two nights, at either 11 or 12 o'clock at night(depending on the city and station), the best ever live music show is on the air. Sessions at West 45th has been critically hailed as just that. With performers from just about every genre of music, this is a must watch for all of you who love music but only have AM stations at home.

In this, the show's second season, they have filled each show with great and often unknown artists. Artists as diverse from Ozomatli (August 14) to Bela Fleck and the Flecktones (June 26) fill the show each week with their own distinct blend of music. On the relatively unknown side of the spectrum, I would advise you not to miss the Beth Orton's (August 7) show (who I covered in a previous article), Vic Chestnut's (August 24) show, and the Cowboy Junkies (May 29) show. All three of which are pretty mind-blowing.

But don't think that Sessions has just "soon to be cool" artists on their show. Artists as big as John Mellencamp (July 24), Tori Amos (July 31), and Phish (July 10) also play. Each puts on the kind of show that they've performed all throughout their careers which has gathered them the sort of recognition that are left to the music elite. As is expected, the Phish show is of some higher quality, and as such, should not be missed.

Other shows, which I highly recommend, are Lucinda Williams (August 28), PJ Harvey and Chocolate Genius (July 24), Liz Phair and the Lounge Lizards (July 3), and Elvis Costello (May 22).

Most of the shows have two artists playing songs coupled with interviews from ex-Talking Heads lead singer David Byrne. It is truly a special evening of television, reminiscent of the old time live music television shows.

The Show airs on PBS affiliates in over 130 markets all across the country, so just check their website, www.sessionsatwest54th