Here’s a rare look at musicians in their element, warming up backstage before a performance on The Late Show with David Letterman. The video captures singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur and Peter Buck (R.E.M.) rehearsing their cover of Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” with a string ensemble. It’s cool to see them getting ready for showtime as they play without the pressure of an audience, working out the arrangement on the fly. By the end they’re all on the same page, and everything seems to come together.
Videos by American Songwriter
Arthur’s album “Lou”: Songs of Lou Reed will be released on May 13, and includes twelve different Reed covers in tribute to the late, legendary artist.
Check out the backstage version of “Walk on the Wild Side” below, as well as Arthur’s latest tour dates. You can view the actual Letterman performance here, which has Arthur switching to piano, and R.E.M.’s Mike Mills on bass.
Joseph Arthur Tour Dates:
04/19/14 Ringwood, NJ – Drew’s Place US
04/30/14 Philadelphia, PA – Tin Angel US
05/01/14 Baltimore, MD – WTMD Canton Waterfront Park US
05/06/14 Chicago, IL – City Winery Chicago US
05/08/14 New York, NY – City Winery NYC US
05/10/14 Ybor City, FL – WMNF’s Tropical Heatwave US
05/12/14 Saratoga Springs, NY – Caffe Lena US
05/14/14 Quebec – Theatre Petit Champlain CA
05/16/14 Eastman, QC – Cabaret Eastman CA
05/17/14 Lavaltrie, QC – La Chasse Galerie CA
05/18/14 Wentworth-Nord, QC – Rickks Room CA
05/22/14 Madrid – Boite Live ES
05/23/14 Santander – Escenario Santander ES
05/24/14 Zarautz – Cinema Theatre Modelo ES
05/26/14 Brussels – Les Nuits du Botanique BE
05/27/14 Paris – Trabendo FR
05/28/14 Utrecht – Tivoli NL
05/29/14 London – Dingwalls UK
New West Coast Dates:
06/05/14 Seattle, WA – Columbia City Theatre
06/06/14 Portland, OR – Bunk Bar
06/08/14 San Francisco, CA – Brick and Mortar
06/10/14 LA, CA – Troubadour
