I was talking to my friend Dave last night about Studio 60. We both agreed that this week’s episode (”The Christmas Show”) was quite good.
I made the point that on some of Sorkin’s past work, there would be moments that you would wish would happen in real life. For example, on The West Wing, some politician would do something incredibly noble and principled and smart — and you’d just sigh and wish it could happen in this world. Studio 60, for me, has not had such a moment — until this episode.
Danny finds out that there are some New Orleans musicians stranded in L.A., desperate for work. He arranges for them to do a spot on the show. You can see the clip here on NBC’s site or on YouTube.
Dave’s friend Bob runs an e-mail list called “Bob’s Track of the Day,” featuring daily MP3s and commentary. This week, he sent out an MP3 of the version of “O Holy Night” played on the show. To put the focus on the music, he stripped out the overlapping dialogue. As he said:
I don’t think I’ve ever loved a bad television show as much as I love “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.” And I say this in spite of the fact that I’m actually on screen in the pilot episode for a few seconds. I can go on and on about all the things that are wrong with it, and still, I can’t wait for each new episode, and Aaron Sorkin’s writing gives me goosebumps and makes me want to cheer. And no matter how transparent the tricks may be, it still has that effect on me. I would give anything to live in a world where people actually talk that way. Hell, I would give anything to be able to actually talk that way myself. And I think that’s the appeal of Sorkin’s shows. It’s a fantasy some of us have to live in a world where people are smart, and where intelligence prevails.
Here, from the soundtrack of tonight’s episode of “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” is “O Holy Night” as performed by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews (whose main instrument is the trumpet, and who isn’t terribly short either as a matter of fact), Kirk Joseph, Bob French, Mervin “Kid Merv” Campbell and others. I was unable to find out who wrote the arrangement, but it’s a beauty.
On the Tipitina’s Foundation website, I found that they were involved in the episode:
On November 9-10th, foundation Executive Director Bill Taylor traveled with this all-star ensemble to the Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, CA, where they performed an original arrangement of “Oh Holy Night” for the show… Rising star Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews was featured in a speaking role in a scene with show star Bradley Whitford.
The site says that a free download of the song will soon be available on iTunes. I will post the link when it becomes available. Until then, thanks to Bob, here’s a copy. In keeping with the theme of the Xmasganza, I will mention this was Higgins’ favorite carol.
(Plus, here’s a rundown of the episode on Entertainment Weekly’s site.)
Trombone Shorty and Friends – O Holy Night
UPDATE: Official download now available. Totally clean, higher quality.
Tags: O Holy Night, Trombone Shorty, Tipitina’s Foundation, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Aaron Sorkin
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The Pop View Says:
Remember, in the two-part “Nevada Day” from a few weeks ago, that the plot centered on Harriet Hayes trying to straddle the fence by suggesting that homosexuality might be a sin, but that she wouldn’t judge the sinners? Art imitates life (or vice versa) as Jennifer Hudson of Dreamgirls does the same thing, almost word-for-word.