EPISODE NUMBER: 6141 (November 4, 2010)
GUESTS: Elvis Costello
SEGMENTS: Spider-Man Is Alaska’s Write-In Candidate, Tip/Wag – TSA, Bert & Dogs, Sign Off – Elvis Costello – All I Have to Do Is Dream Duet
VIDEOS: Thursday, November 4, 2010
Oh, man, was this show fantastic. And I really, really needed it. Between the rally and the election coverage, I’ve just felt like things have been off-balance. Does that make sense? If it doesn’t, then it’s entirely possible that my lack of sleep is still affecting things a bit.
But tonight’s show brought me back to center, as it were. The intro, and new word “Batter-Fried’, and the beautiful purple tie started the show with a very positive vibe. I love how the political coverage in the first segment took an amazingly silly turn with the Spider-Man angle to the story. This screencap was featured on ColbertNation.com and I just adore the look on Stephen’s face.
The Tip/Wag segment was just simply classic Colbert. He found the news about him, and reported it. Classic “Stephen”. I laughed so hard at the Doggie ‘Colbert Report’ intro – “Plus … Squirrel! Squirrel! Squirrel! Squirrel!” Bwah! The Elvis Costello interview was just divine. They have such great chemistry together, and Elvis is just a wonderful guest every time he’s on. I also loved listening to Elvis’s rendition of his new song, “A Slow Drag With Josephine”. His voice is just amazing.
But who are we kidding here. You know that’s not what we want to talk about. So we now interrupt this episode guide for an Urgent Fangirl Bulletin:
ZOMG DREAM!!
Oh, the harmonies were heavenly, the look on Stephen’s face as he was singing … oh my. You know, instead of doing some transcribing of the lines in tonight’s episode like I usually do for episode guides, I think I’m just going to watch this video again.
I’d like to give a huge thanks to Zoner adeline_sky (who had her own musical adventure just a few days ago) for ripping us an MP3 of this song. I would like to add my voice to the chorus of commenters on this video on ColbertNation.com in asking sincerely for an official “Colbert and Friends” musical CD release. I’d love to have studio-clean versions of some of these amazing collaborations.
Download “Dream” – Elvis Costello and Stephen Colbert (MP3) here!
EDIT: The iTunes version of the show has the full version of the song at the end of it, and not the truncated one that aired last night. The official videos of these covers of copyrighted songs often magically disappear after 30 days (“The Girl Is Mine” anyone?), so if you want a high quality version of the video for posterity, you might want to jump in and get it soon. The shows are usually only available on iTunes for a couple of weeks or so.
Wait, you mean other things happened besides the duet??
Seriously, when I went to watch the show online this morning, I saw that there was a video of the full performance, and watched that first. I smiled from beginning to end. What a gorgeous start to my day.
Oh, and I would also like to join the request for an official “Colbert and Friends” musical release of some kind. These musical collaborations are too good not to have nice studio versions of them.
Difference makers:
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This.Is.AWESOME!!!! How much do we have to raise for yellow ribbon, donors choose, speedskating, etc to make this CD happen?! I will donate! Alot.
It was wonderful to see the silly last night- Dog-centric excerpts of the show?! Too cute!
I do believe, however, that “Batter-Fried” appeared in Wednesday’s intro- but I could be wrong. I could just assume, based on all the food consumption “Stephen” does on the show that he is mostly “batter-fried!”
Thanks for the link! Thanks for this blog!
Difference makers:
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It did – but it’s still relatively new. Plus I forgot to put in in yesterday’s guide. :)
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
All I can say is that the duet was even more awesome in person! Best of the tapings I’ve been to and totally made up for the fact that I couldn’t get to the rally last weekend. Thanks for the link to the mp3!
Difference makers:
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You’re such a tease – how was your taping?! What were the Q&A’s? I’d love to hear more!
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Hahaha ;) The taping was truly awesome, he was giddy from lack of sleep, but only messed up the intro with a random fit of laughter over “a children’s TV character is outed.” The Q&A was great – someone asked something about House and he was like …I don’t watch house, so that was awkward! Who would you rather dance with at a party – Chewbacca or Boba Fett – His answer was Boba Fett, Chewbacca would get hair everywhere, haha. There was a question about the rally, can’t quite remember it, but he was describing how unreal it was that there were so many people there, and how he could only really see/feel the first couple of thousand people because of the sheer magnitude of it all, but he said it was awesome (which of course, it was). There were a couple of long-winded political questions that unfortunately have totally escaped me, but he was just pure perfection as always, so gracious and funny. Elvis Costello was quiet and reserved, but both performances were AMAZING. I was on the right of the audience so I had a perfect view! And a smile from Costello rounded it off perfectly. Very, very cool taping. I can’t think of anything else to say, but ask away if there’s anything you want to know! :)
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Okay, so I asked the House question. My friend thought of it, but I asked it for her because she had a sore throat. We actually thought of two, but we thought we’d get a better reaction out of the House one. We were wrong. Sad. And it was horribly embarrassing. He said that he didn’t watch House often enough to know what I meant, but he did say that his daughter really likes House, and that he is a fan of Hugh Laurie.
While I sat there in shame, someone else asked him what his favorite album of a certain group (can’t remember the name) was, and then he started talking about how he likes when upbeat music has depressing lyrics. And he starting singing a bit, which was great.
Difference makers:
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You did fine! Don’t feel bad, either – sometimes he just gives answers we don’t expect. When I went to the show (10/24/2008), I asked Stephen when the show was going to start broadcasting in HD. I literally agonized over which question to ask, and practiced saying it out loud for days. His answer? “I gotta get some work done first, honey.” *headdesk*
The fact that you got to talk to him at all is a good thing!
Difference makers:
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No, it was a totally valid question! Don’t be embarrassed! I hope I didn’t sound like I thought it was stupid in that previous comment, that’s not what I mean at all! Just when he said “…do you just want to leave right now?”, that was a strange moment, haha.
The Mountain Goats! He had a little sing along to himself, that was great. Thanks for remembering! I think he said his favorite song is Sax Rohmer #1.
Hope you had an awesome time, too!
Difference makers:
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This is sort of a left turn on the House/Hugh Laurie theme, but I was very excited when I heard that Mr. Laurie would be recording a blues album. Besides that fact that it has the potential to be awesome, it would be a great excuse for him to be booked on TCR AND have Stephen sing with him. Exponential win!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
Alright, now that I’ve had time to go back and watch the ep again- I noticed during the opening scan behind the desk that Stephen took a sip from a bottle (looked like a Brooklyn Brewery bottle IMO)- was there a party before the show started?! He made no reference to it during the show- which he sometimes does with drinks under his desk so I was just curious as to if something was edited out.
Thanks for sharing your report! What a great show you got to see!!!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+2
There was nothing special about the drink, I don’t think. He just took a few sips before the show (around the time he shot out Wriststrong bands). He also sniffed a marker for a bit. :)
I remembered another two questions, there was an lady who said he was her celebrity crush, and she asked him how she could quit him. For some reason I can’t remember his answer, maybe someone else can… And someone else asked what Laura Bush said to him after the Correspondents’ Dinner, which he refused to answer.
Shout Out (Hey!):
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Haha, good question! No, no party unfortunately! He did hold it up and pop it open on the desk before the taping started though, which got a cheer :)
And in addition to Sy’s post about the questions – when the woman told him he was her celebrity crush, he was like “I’m gay. Totally gay.” And I think someone asked him the Laura Bush question the last time I was there too! He didn’t answer it then either!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+2
Thanks for the taping reporT! I especially smiled when I read that he said his favorite Mountain Goats song is Sax Rohmer #1, because that’s one of my faves as well. :) Stephen single-handedly got me into The Mountain Goats, so I love whenever he talks about them.
Shout Out (Hey!):
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Where are all the fangirl post about the Stephen/Elvis duet? Oh yeah, your all still unconscious! :)
Difference makers:
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I’m waiting until tonight when I get home to write my post so that I can properly articulate my sheer excitement/giddiness/squealing/JOY. :D
Difference makers:
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OMG his face while singing! He gets so into it! Or at least he’s good at acting like he does. It’s also fun to hear Stephen sing the high part. I know nothing about music, so maybe that makes no sense, but it seems like he usually takes the lower part in a duet.
SQUIRREL!! XD
Difference makers:
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Sigh….. just got done watching the whole song and that’s all I have to say about that. Okay, one more thing: Gosh Stephen and Mr. Costello’s voices meld beautifully! I noticed that the first time when they sang “Much Worse Things” and now again….just lovely.
The Dog Report thing made me laugh especially hard because I actually know of another animal who does something very similar. There must be something to that song, the eagle noise (that really isn’t an eagle) and the soaring guitar…..something because my family’s bird also goes berserk whenever the theme for TCR comes on. It’s so funny!
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I. SO. LOVED. THIS!
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Haha! I love that every single person voted for the duet between Stephen and Elvis Costello in the poll! That was amazing…just absolute perfection.
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100% voted for “All I Have To Do Is Dream”? Is that a record? (I voted for it too, OBVIOUSLY.)
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I’ve only seen it happen maybe one other time. But yeah, it’s definitely a rarity. but much deserved, IMHO. It came out lovely.
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Forgot to also mention: the last time Elvis was on, and Stephen sang “Cheap Reward” on his own because Elvis had a sore throat, Stephen did make Elvis promise that when he came back, they would have to do some harmony together — maybe, Stephen said, some Everly Brothers. I had not forgotten this promise and was really hoping for this duet. I’m pleased to see that Elvis and Stephen hadn’t forgotten about it either.
I’m also glad someone managed to get an MP3 ripped. I tried to get one this morning but my netbook was not cooperating.
Difference makers:
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Not to take anything from the duet, but the other parts I really appreciated were the Spider-man bits, especially Spider-Murkowski! Geeking out a bit because the correct spelling of Spider-man is the one with the dash in it.
I didn’t know you were supposed to root for someone in a three-way. Now I’ll always look for someone who has a beard in any crowd of threes, lol
Difference makers:
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Oh wow this was so gorgeous I think my heart broke. Happy weeping ahoy! Thanks so much for the download link. My mom is gonna love this.
Difference makers:
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The show was great but NOTHING can’t beat the duet.It was legendary.I will totally put this on my mp3 and listen before sleep. Wanna see Stephen in my dreams too *faints*
Difference makers:
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*Sigh*
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream
When I want you in my arms
When I want you and all your charms
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream
When I feel blue in the night
And I need you to hold me tight
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam
I can make you mine, taste your lips of wine
Anytime night or day
Only trouble is, gee whiz
I’m dreamin’ my life away
I need you so that I could die
I love you so and that is why
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam
I can make you mine, taste your lips of wine
Anytime night or day
Only trouble is, gee whiz
I’m dreamin’ my life away
I need you so that I could die
I love you so and that is why
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream
FADE
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream
Difference makers:
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Like all the rest of the fangirls, I just died and went to heaven – the wonderful music, and lyrics, and Stephen’s face, and his voice…oh, it was just glorious! I had an exam this morning but still HAD to spend an hour or so last night making screencaps! I am just…sigh… *drifts away*
Stephen better make a CD sometime soon – come on Comedy Central, I will throw money at you to make this happen!
Difference makers:
+8
That duet was beauteous. I really liked the lighting as well. I love the way he introduced the duet too, very sweet and sincerely.
Difference makers:
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the duet was lovely
Difference makers:
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I’m a bad Costello fan. I was such a huge fan of his music when I was younger, up to King of America (which I played non-stop so much I can’t listen to it now, brilliant as it is, perhaps I’m due a re-listen) and the concert I saw him solo and unplugged is in my Top 3, however the following albums were lacklustre IMO. I haven’t followed him since then. However, that being said, that duet was simply sublime and sweet as anything, so I definitely voted for that.
Difference makers:
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Okay, so I just listened (and viewed) the cilp with my headphones on, which truly allowed me to hear how gorgeous this was. The sound is definitely better on the computer than on the TV, and I could fully distinguish his harmonies. Beautiful. I’ll certainly buy the show from iTunes, but I wonder if that will contain the full clilp. Probably not.
I downloaded the mp3 but I DO want to look at it, too.
The episode was, of course, great as a whole, but Stephen doing a complete song — or dance — is always a very special treat. To all those there, you were so lucky!
And DB–loved your question and his answer–though he’s gone into HD with no work done, I think! ;-) And besides, he called you “honey.”
Sy, definitely don’t feel bad! He’s made enough “House” references that there is no reason why you should have assumed he didn’t know the show well. Your question did not come out of left field.
Difference makers:
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And obviously I cannot type “clip” properly! Twice…geez.
Shout Out (Hey!):
+3
Please to report that the show on iTunes does indeed have the full clip of the duet! :)
Shout Out (Hey!):
+3
Yea! Thanks so much for letting me know, Arrow! I’m definitely going to purchase it. I’m still annoyed at myself for not moving fast enough on the “Cheap Rewards” episode. (I learned my lesson and definitely downloaded the Carrell one fast.)
By the way, I was thinking about the CD/DVD issue, and I do feel the problem lies with permissions. Colbert’s legal team would have to negotiate with every songwriter and performer to gain rights. When it’s someone Stephen seems to be friendly with — John Legend, Elvis Costello — it’s probably doable. When it’s the Everly Brothers, at this point, you’re probably dealing with a music publishing firm that could be difficult. Still…not impossible and we can always hope.
Shout Out (Hey!):
+3
Karenatasha – IANAL, but I’m pretty sure you don’t have to get permission from the songwriters to release a cover, you just have to pay royalties. He would need permission, however, from the other performers & their record companies.
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
Yes, full clip – I put that in my post. :)
Shout Out (Hey!):
+2
I just listened to the whole duet also – thanks so much. I really think that Comedy Central should put all these special performances Stephen does on Itunes, and sell them for Donors Choose. I’d buy them in a minute!
It would be fun also to have them on DVD – such as Empire State of Mind with Alicia Keys? I’m pretty sure I downloaded that one, but it would be great to have all these duets on one DVD.
Fun show. the dog segment was hilarious too.
Difference makers:
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minute 2 second 49 of the audio, makes me swoon like a little school girl.
and hopefully i can say that without any repercussions cause i ripped ya the dang thing. ;)
<3
Shout Out (Hey!):
+3
All these best-of wishes made me go back to my playlist, close my eyes, and sit here for a good half hour (OK, I listened to most of it twice) just carried along by the sound of his voice. It also made me realize that I somehow missed grabbing the MP3 of “Empire State of Mind”. I found the post from Cromptown from way back when with the link, but it’s expired or been pulled. :-( Could someone please post it again, if it’s not too much trouble? Thank you!!
Difference makers:
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I would also kill to get the Empire State of Mind mp3…that is one of my favourite Stephen songs ever!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+2
Try this – http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DCHI2IB4
Shout Out (Hey!):
+3
Here you go! (i’m pretty sure i got it here from Cromptown so all the credit should go to him/her) http://rapidshare.com/files/429223581/Alicia_Keys_-_Empire_State_of_Mind__Part_II__Broken_Down__feat._Stephen_Colbert_.mp3
Shout Out (Hey!):
+4
That’s actually a better quality one than I found – thanks for that find!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+3
Thank you both so very, very, very much, you have made a fangirl extremely happy! :D
Shout Out (Hey!):
+2
I knew I could count on you guys! Thank you, thank you!!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+2
Thanks so much, guys, I’ve been wanting an mp3 of that, too!
I fully agree with all here who say these songs should be available to buy or something, or he should do some sort of CD or whatever, ’cause really, I could sit and listen to him sing all day and be perfectly happy. I cannot stop playing that duet, it’s just so incredibly gorgeous.
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
A fangirl’s dream has come true.
Difference makers:
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Stephen + two-part harmonies = INSTANT HAPPY FOR EVER.
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Now, I realie I’m in a very small minority here but I was infinitely more tickled by the thought of TCR – The Canine Edition than by Stephen singing. That said, there’s no doubt our man is delightfully multi-talented and therefore “Who’s a good boy? You’re a good boy! You are! You are!” can be applied either way here. Woof, indeed!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+2
*THUD*
Difference makers:
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By the way–to change the subject–I have to say I was really bummed that Jon got David Sedaris, and not Stephen. The interview was great, but I think Sedaris would have been even better in Stephen’s wackier territory. He’s always been a dream guest for me.
Difference makers:
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I thought that, too. When I saw that Sedaris was going to be on TDS, I got soo so excited, because I love all of his interviews. And that last joke about the snail was hilarious! I laughed so hard at that. But after squeeing about the fact that he would be on TDS, I said to myself, “Now if only he would go on TCR!” He would be a fantastic guest for “Stephen.” *sigh* If someone in the TCR booking department could get on that, I would appreciate it. ;)
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
Wow, this was a great episode. I agree about the beautiful purple tie. Tip/Wag was top notch, especially the Doggie ‘Colbert Report’ intro. The interview was fantastic, as well as Elvis Costello’s solo performance.
But of course the duet topped everything. I think my heart burst. So beautiful!
“Dream, dream, dream….”
Difference makers:
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I, along with many others I see, was and am completely floored by ‘Dream’. I have loved this song all my life, it’s like my personal little emo band-aid, I sing it to myself… don’t tell anyone though, I have the rep of a very hard rocker to maintain.
To hear Stephen and Elvis sing it… is.pure.heavenly.puffy.cloud.joy!
Pretty sure I am still in the middle of an actual heart attack… gotta go!
Difference makers:
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First of all, I love that this already has 46 comments. Secondly, sweet baby Jesus that episode was awesome!! Such a solid, solid, show from start to finish. The Doggie ‘Intro’ was one of my favorite parts of the show – I especially loved, “Who’s a good boy, you are! Yes you are!” And the rest of Tip/Wag was fan-freaking-tastic.
But that duet. That. Was. Ah-MAZING! I loved every second of that, I still really can’t full comprehend it. I do have to say that I still love “Cheap Reward” better, but only by a sliver. Thanks so much for the mp3 of the song! I’m definitely buying the episode on iTunes as well. :)
And while I am totally on board for a ‘Colbert and Friends’ CD release, I would soo go for a CD of songs by just Stephen and Elvis Costello. Those two are awesome together. :D
Difference makers:
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I second the “Cheap Reward” love. As much as I heart me some harmony (swoon!), listening to Stephen’s solo down-home voice on this tune gives me a hard case of the sighs. I love all the “Colbert Christmas” songs, but hearing him sing without a hint of silliness is pure tingly warmth. I’m a huge Bobby Darin fan, and there are times when Stephen’s singing style and sound bring him to mind.
Difference makers:
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Thirded. That’s the best one in the history of TCR, in my opinion! Blew me away! Even though it’s so serious and sincere, I can’t listen to it without smiling because you can hear, even without watching the video, when he breaks into a smile near the end. Ah, so genuine and adorable it just melts me :).
Difference makers:
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“I can’t listen to it without smiling because you can hear, even without watching the video, when he breaks into a smile near the end. “
I have a mixed CD that I made of mostly Mountain Goats songs and then Stephen singing “Cheap Reward.” I listen to it in my car all the time on the way to school, and every time I hear the end of the song, I immediately smile because like you said, you can tell by just hearing it the exact moment that he smiles. Instant happy. :)
Shout Out (Hey!):
+2
I LOVE Cheap Reward SO MUCH. We had only recently got Comedy Central this time last year, and I was already a Daily Show fan so I watched the Report if I remembered , but I wasn’t an it-getter.
Then I heard Stephen sing.
It went like this:
He’s gonna sing… okay, let’s see how this goes.
“Oh, well I feel so loose tonight I might fall to pieces,”
Whoa, he’s not bad.
“So be prepared to sweep me out the door,”
WOW HE’S REALLY GOOD.
Taped the repeat, forced my parents to watch it, watched the clip at least twice a day for two weeks solid.
So yes, Cheap Reward has a special place in my heart. (Actually I just finished a music assignment where I did a cover of it, it was fun.)
And I am a sucker for two-part harmonies, and (like everyone else here) for Stephen singing, so this duet was just AMAZING.
Shout Out (Hey!):
+4
I played a few clips of Stephen singing for my mom last week-the full version of that duet (which, when we saw it Thursday night, actually made her stop what she was doing and turn to stare at the TV with a surprised look on her face, she said, “Wow, they sound really good together!”), the “Cheap Reward” clip, and him with Barry Manilow, and she’s even more impressed with Stephen now :D. I think she even has a bit of a crush on him now, too, she’s been gushing about his singing almost as much as I have, haha!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+3
This is to Wren–there was no reply button to your comment!
You’re right about not needing permission to do a cover, but it’s the “pay royalties” issue that’ can be problematic. That’s negotiated with each composer’s agency, and if the royalties get too high, the CD/DVD no longer makes financial sense. That’s one reason the talent-based reality shows, like American Idol or So You Think You Can Dance, don’t put out DVDs of the season. It’s too costly to pay all the people involved. .
That said, if it were done for charity, as some have suggested, that might make the composers more willing to donate their percentage. I’m certainly not giving up hope! Personally, I myself would like the Stephen Colbert dance DVD, in which we get to see his various choreographic exploits–even from before TCR. A dancing Stephen means a happy Karen!
Shout Out (Hey!):
+4
Is there any chance that someone has the actual videos of him sing Cheap Reward and All I have to do is Dream available for download? I’d loooove to add those two to my collection…
Shout Out (Hey!):
0