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Private Notes
Jools Holland and his magic fingers unite a unique cast in a single room for one night only, new and older artists playing completely live! Who'd have thought it?
Seven years after their last album and 20 years on from their debut, the anthemic Snow Patrol are back in business with songs from their seventh studio album Wildness, that finds frontman and songwriter Gary Lightbody wrestling with the light and the dark with edge, drama and that familiar melodic flair. Step forward south London's Shame, hot after a national tour which is surely pushing them towards becoming the most exciting British guitar band since the emergence of Arctic Monkeys and they perform songs from their debut album Songs of Praise, released in January, including the rabble rousing One Rizla.
No one sounds quite like veteran Detroit-raised soul singer Bettye Lavette - she made her debut as a 16-year-old in the early 60s. She performs a Bob Dylan song from her album of Dylan covers Things Have Changed, accompanied by Jools. Plan B or Ben Drew performs songs from his fourth album since his debut back in 2006, Heaven Before All Hell Breaks Loose, that mixes soul and ragga influences in a vital stew. Now in their 50th year on the road, step forward the Bay Area's mighty Tower of Power, who finally make their BBC TV debut with their soul-funk brass attack mixing 70s classics and songs from a new album, Soul Side of Town. Introducing teenage British singer-songwriter Jade Bird from Hexham, Northumberland, who captured hearts and minds at music industry festival SXSW earlier this year and makes her TV debut performing solo.
Performing totally live in the circle of dreams for one night only, Jools brings the magic.
Jools Holland hosts another musical melange in his theatre of dreams, aka Maidstone Studios, featuring Florence + The Machine, Femi Kuti, Lily Allen, Lady Leshurr, Young Fathers and Starcrawler.
Stepping back into the spotlight in Jools's cercle de reves is the queen of fancy footwork and French pop powerhouse Heloise Letissier, aka Christine & The Queens, to perform her new single Girlfriend, an 80s-inspired funk jam from her much-anticipated second album.
Making his debut on the show is jazz saxophonist and band leader Kamasi Washington, who has played with the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Herbie Hancock and whose thrilling melodic take on funk, hip-hop and even movie soundtracks with an early 70s vibe is the talk of the town. Kamasi previews tracks from his upcoming double album Heaven & Earth.
Hot on the success of their last album, James bounce back with songs from their upcoming fifteenth studio album Living In Extraordinary Times, a decade on from their last appearance on the show and fresh from a short tour of the UK.
Grammy Award-winning Texan multi-instrumentalist Annie Clark, aka St Vincent, follows up the piano-led preview of her fifth studio album Masseduction by strapping on her guitar, summoning her band and rocking out on the title track and Slow Disco.
And make way for a double debut of Daniels this week as we welcome Canadian Grammy nominated R&B soul singer Daniel Caesar with his debut album Freudian, featuring Californian singer HER, who joins him for their track Best Part, and British singer-songwriter Daniel Blumberg, a veteran of Cajun Dance Party and Yuck, whose combination of melodic songwriting in an improvised setting has grown out of sessions in East London's Cafe Oto, and who performs at the piano accompanied by violin and double bass on a couple of songs from his acclaimed debut album Minus.
Joining Jools on the last show of the series and finally making their debut on the show are funk and disco legends Nile Rodgers and Chic, who are joined by contemporary British artists such as Cosha, aka Bonzai, and producer and songwriter Mura Masa.
Denver-based old-school soul combo Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats come to the show with a song or two from their second album Tearing at the Seams, which sees them revisit their take on the golden years of Stax, complete with vibrant and integral horns, a steadily funky rhythm section and a bearded vocalist who takes it to the bridge every time. Making his UK TV debut is native South African Nakhane, an LGBTQ trailblazer with a startling voice. Now based in east London, he has recently released his second album You Will Not Die, which features songs full of strutting glam and electro flourishes.
Former Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes makes his solo debut on the show with songs from his very well-reviewed third solo album World's Strongest Man, which is his reflection on what it means to be a strong man in 2018. London four-piece, signed to Rough Trade, Goat Girl perform tracks from their self-assured debut, which sees them rage against modern Britain from public transport to mental health.
Finally, and completing the line-up, much-loved cockney duo Chas & Dave perform a track from their first album in 30 years to feature new songs, A Little Bit of Us
