Yo La Tengo‘s annual Hanukkah run is eight nights of wonderful surprises, but you can usually count on a couple things happening: Sun Ra Arkestra will open one of the shows, and Ira Kaplan’s mother, Marilyn, will close out the final show to sing “My Little Corner of the World.” Both happened this year and as usual “My Little Corner of the World” was the sweetest, most emotional high point of Night 8. Before that, though, there were lots of surprises.
The first surprise of Night 8 was that Yo La Tengo had gotten vastly underrated San Francisco indiepop greats The Aislers Set to reform and open the show. Ira noted after their set that Yo La Tengo and The Aislers Set toured together in 2003 and he’d wanted them for a Hanukkah show ever since and was thrilled it finally happened. This was the band’s first show in nearly eight years, and with just two practices they were a little wobbly (they kinda always were), but in that charming shambolic way they embrace. The band were augmented by The Ladybug Transistor’s Gary Olson on trumpet (his second appearance this week) and Michael O’Neill (MEN, Crickets) on additional percussion. For those in the know, the set was full of hits, including “The Way to Market Station,” “Hit the Snow,” and “Chicago New York.” A truly unexpected treat. Setlist and video below.
Ira then came out to do a few thank you’s and for a little stalling as he said David Cross, the night’s comedian, was not there yet. After more stalling Ira finally told the crowd that they would just have to move on without him but luckily his Rabbi was in the house and would like to come out and say something. It was at that point a collective aha/laugh hit the audience as Cross came out, as he’s done in Hanukkahs past, as Rabbi Sugarman, offering to field questions the audience might have about Jews. Those included “what do you do with the foreskins after a bris?” and “where are all the trucks this year?”
Then it was time for Yo La Tengo, who had a horn section, CJ Camerieri on brass and Mike McGinness on woodwinds, with them for half the set in two separate chunks. As they don’t repeat any songs throughout the run, the final night could feel like most of the good stuff had already been played, but Night 8 showed how deep their catalog runs with great songs, and we got “Moby Octopad,” “Mr Tough” (dedicated to Todd-O-Phonic Todd), “The Crying of Lot G,” “Apology Letter” (one of the highlights from this year’s This Stupid World), and an epic-length “Blue Line Swinger.” Then The Aislers Set came out to join them for a noisy cover of Dan Fogelberg’s “Earth Anthem” to close out the main set.
For the encore, Yo La Tengo covered Richard Hell & The Voidoids’ “The Kid with the Replaceable Head” (by request) before bringing out The Bangles‘ Vicki Peterson and her husband John Cowsill for covers of Herman’s Hermits’ “I’m Into Something Good” and Ronettes/Beach Boys’ “I Can Hear Music,” before bringing Marilyn Kaplan to the stage to end the week perfectly.
Check out the Night 8 setlist (via Jesse Jarnow) and a few cameraphone pics and video below.
The Night 8 mix CD was by Gruff Rhys (all Welsh, natch), WFMU’s Todd-O-Phonic Todd (the former Maxwell’s booker who makes these shows happen) was the post-show DJ, and proceeds benefited Freedom For Immigrants.
And that’s a wrap for Hanukkah 2023. Check out pics, setlists, recaps and video from all eight nights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-tRT7xwUzk&pp=ygULeW8gbGEgdGVuZ28%3D
SETLIST: Yo La Tengo at Bowery Ballroom 12/14/2023 (Hanukkah Night 8) (via Frank & Earthy)
It’s Hanukkah Time (Al Johnson) (with CJ Camerieri on trumpet/French horn & Mike McGinnis on saxophone/clarinet)
Before We Run (with CC & MM)
Moby Octopad (with CC & MM)
Mr. Tough (with CC & MM)
Eight Candles (Sam Elwitt) (with CC & MM)
Let’s Do It Wrong
The Crying of Lot G
Shades of Blue
Apology Letter (with CC & MM)
Black Flowers (with CC & MM)
Patty Baby (Freddie Cannon) (with CC & MM)
86-Second Blowout
Decora
Blue Line Swinger
Earth Anthem (Dan Fogelberg) (with CC, MM, & the Aislers Set)
*(encore)*
The Kid with the Replaceable Head (Richard Hell)
I’m Into Something Good (Carole King & Gerry Goffin) (with Vicki Peterson on guitar/vocals & John Cowsill on vocals)
I Can Hear Music (Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich/Phil Spector) (with VP & JC)
My Little Corner of the World (Bob Hilliard & Lee Pockriss) (with Marilyn Kaplan on vocals)
The Aislers Set @ Bowery Ballroom 12/14/2023
The Way Market Station
Hit The Snow
Capp St
Long Division
The Walk
Chicago New York,
Last Match
Attraction
Been Mistreated
Holiday
Mission
Been Hiding
Red Door