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Here’s my take on the music highlights on cable this week, August 23-30. Yep, it’s subjective. But I try to be pretty inclusive. A glitch last week left PBS out of the schedule (including one of my favorite shows Austin City Limits), so it is back in this week. I extended the schedule thru Sunday. Next week, I’m adding in movies by and about bands. If I’m missing stuff, especially channels or regular shows, please let me know in the comments and I’ll consider adding them in.
FRETS’ PICKS:
Les Paul: Chasing Sound (PBS), documentary about the legendary guitarist and innovator who died last week at 94. Times vary, check your local PBS schedule. If you see nothing else, catch this one!
The Road to Big Whiskey (FUSE), 4-part documentary on the recording of Dave Matthews latest album. Sunday, Aug 23 beginning at 8pm.
Ramones Raw (VH1CL), with concert footage & interviews from the legendary punk rockers. Monday at 12am.
Festival Express (IFC), the amazing documentary about the 1970 train tour across Canada by bands including The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, and The Band. 9am Tuesday.
Remember the fire in that nightclub in Rhode Island that killed 100 people, including Great White guitarist Ty Longley? VH1CL is re-airing Aftermath: The Station Fire Five Years Later, the benefit concert for survivors and families of the tragedy. 11am & 11pm Wednesday.
The Beatles Anthology (VH1CL), documentary on the Beatles. 12am & 7pm Thursday, 5pm Friday, 7pm Sunday.
Home Transformations: Music Room Soundproofing (DIY), Two closets are converted into a mixing room and voice recording booth, new walls are framed out to provide better soundproofing and a floating floor is installed. Thursday at 11:30am.
A Reggae Session (Ovation), Rita Marley, Ziggy Marley, Jimmy Cliff and Bunny Wailer join reggae-influenced musicians Stevie Wonder and the Neville Brothers to honor Bob Marley. 4pm & 7pm Thursday, 2am Friday.
Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out (VH1CL), Stewart Copeland’s homemade documentary about the Police. 8pm & 11pm Thursday.
Impact Beatles (Ovation), Artists including Peter Asher, Mike Love, Joe Perry, Peter Noone and Mickey Dolenz discuss the role The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand” plays in the history of music and pop culture. 1:30am Saturday.
Private Sessions: Chicago (BIO), Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow and Walter Parazaider talk about their career as the rock band Chicago. 7am Saturday.
Tom Dowd & the Language of Music (FUSE), Recording engineer Tom Dowd works with music legends, including Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton. 11:30pm Sunday, Aug 30.
Metallica is getting some love this week. Time Warp: Metallica (Discovery) airs at 1am Sunday Aug 23. Biography: Metallica (BIO) airs 9pm Wed & 1am Thurs. MTV Live: Metallica (VH1CL) airs 1am Saturday. FUSE is showing Metallica in Their Own Words and The Metallica Chronicles at 9pm & 9:30pm Sunday, Aug 30.
And if classic metal is your thing, don’t miss Iron Maiden: Somewhere Back In Time Live (PLDHD), from their 2008 tour. 12am Thursday.
NON-MUSIC SHOW I’M MOST LIKELY TO WATCH:
Biography: Sam Kinison (BIO), Renegade comic Sam Kinison started his professional life as a Pentecostal minister. 3pm Sunday, Aug 30.
Keep reading to see the entire schedule…
VH1 Classic is featuring George Harrison’s 1971 Concert for Bangladesh (Mon 8pm, Tue 10am & 10pm, Wed 6am, 8am, & 2pm, Th 12am) and the Concert for George organized by Eric Clapton on the first anniversary of George’s death in 2002 (Mon 9pm & 10pm, Tue 2pm, Wed 12pm). They’re also showing Blind Faith in Hyde Park (Fri 11am & 11pm),
