If you were at the “secret Pavement reunion” show at The 5 Spot last February (and chances are you were, since it seemed like most of Nashville was crammed into the joint), then you no doubt remember Charles Ezell. The rumored revival was really the wedding party for erstwhile Pavement percussionist Bob Nastanovich and Whitney Courtney, and for many in the audience, any disappointment over the lack of a full-on Pavement show was made up for by Nastanovich’s best man Charles Ezell, who emceed, joked and did the most kick-ass version of “Bennie and the Jets” this side of the Yellow Brick Road. Little did we know at the time, but Ezell is a bona fide comedian, seasoned raconteur and hellacious singer once described by LA Weekly as “a cross between a young John Belushi and John Prine.” (Wrap your head around that.) Along with his “musical crutch” (and Lambchop keyboardist) Tony Crow and “left-handed right hand man” Kevin Guthrie, Ezell will present the local premiere of Ezellevision, a variety-show blend of shtick, storytelling and song—essentially a modern-day vaudeville act. The first installment features an interview with guitarist to the indie stars (Lambchop, Silver Jews) William Tyler. For a taste of the madness, search YouTube for “Ezell” and “cop poetry.”
Wed., Sept. 9, 9 p.m., 2009
Wed., Sept. 9, 9 p.m., 2009
