David Byrne - Sessions At West 54th (November 15, 1997)

Includes the songs "Fuzzy Freaky," "Making Flippy Floppy," "Take Me To The River," "Help Me Somebody," "Dance On Vaseline," "Back In The Box," "Miss America," "Psycho Killer," and "I Zimbra."

[@YouzTube99]

Personnel details: Lead/Backing Vocals - Christina Wheeler Bass, Guitar, Vocals - Desmond Foster Drums, Sampler - Rea Mochiach Lead Vocals, Guitar - David Byrne Steel Guitar, Keyboards, Guitar - Bruce Kaphan

[@BIGeSTRING]

Thank you so much, I was looking for some time for the names of the band members

[@lucianoszmulewicz2477]

i was looking for this information. Thanks!

[@bretkindell6887]

Bad ass musicians..not easy material to play

[@sullivan2339]

Christina Wheeler. Oh My. Oh My. Love her dancing.

[@TokyoBlue587]

No one wears a suit quite like David Byrne. Or dances like him either. He is just a true original. And this proves he is just as good without Talking Heads.

[@jonatanolsen37]

Haha, love him. He does not give a single shit, so completely self amused, he just goes with the flow, its good because he thinks its good! Everyone should be a little more like David Byrne!

[@timosnorthshore]

I saw this on public television 20 years ago, and it has stayed with me ever since. The Dread on bass, the beautiful sista next to David having as good a time as him.... America doesn't tend to support cross-culturalism. I do!

[@JaredOLantern]

Disagree. DB cares greatly about everything he does. To say he doesn't give a shit degrades his art. He's meticulous in every single thing he does. He cares a great deal.

[@bonnies6963]

I think the OP meant that he doesn't give a shit about what you think. He does care greatly, but on a personal level, he's not swayed by what you think. I saw him in person with his Rei Momo album, he sang a few acoustic tunes and the curtains open and there's this amazing and large S American band. Hot damn!

[@schmodedo]

It IS good.

[@julianfrederick9082]

No he’s just autistic

[@DavidEspana1]

0:32 - Fuzzy Freaky 5:54 - Making Flippy Floppy 12:01- Take Me To The River 17:54- Help Me Somebody 22:06- Dance On Vaseline 27:04 -Back In The Box 33:30- Miss America 39:21- Psycho Killer 44:16- I Zimbra.

[@f.d.3289]

That was very handy for cutting up the ripped lo-fi audio... wish they released this on CD! Or better yet, vinyl!

[@marktele8061]

The Players: Lead/Backing Vocals - Christina Wheeler Bass, Guitar, Vocals - Desmond Foster Drums, Sampler - Rea Mochiach Lead Vocals, Guitar - David Byrne Steel Guitar, Keyboards, Guitar - Bruce Kaphan

[@etsjfil]

@@marktele8061👍

[@etsjfil]

👍

[@etsjfil]

@@f.d.3289👍

[@greglarry11]

Speechless.... just stumbled on this in 2020. Byrne takes art to the sublime level. The female vocalist Christina Wheeler is wonderful in this.

[@buckfastpk]

Thank you very much for her name, I was searching the net half way through watching this video and all I had to do was read the comments

[@nonconman7733]

Her dancing is so mesmerizing. She is unique and incredible. What a Goddess

[@RaPeBa1]

She performs wonderfully, the voice is wonderful (my favorite: Help me), but no, she is completely the burner ❤️

[@Fletcher109]

I come back every now and then just to watch her and this show. I was in lurve. I've moved on, but what a heckin girl.

[@offroad3607]

​@@Fletcher109Just discovered this, I go back to it daily.....❤

[@axiomist1076]

Never followed this man. All I knew was "once in a lifetime which was on tv at the beginning of the video era in the 80s. MY loss ! But now thru the magic of you-tube I have been exposed to the amazing experience of his talent. The band and he function as a unit ; like parts of one body, which works perfectly together. This is a SHOW ! In the most absolute sense of the word. The tightest band ever. The instrumentation is out of this world. That electronic pedal steel guitar could revolutionize country music and send it out on an extra - planetary trajectory and move it from its endless rut. David is a true showman. A super talent. And one more thing : the beat ! How could those people in the audience just sit there looking like they're listening to a lecture ? I would have jumped right into the stage and danced with them and become part of the show. Now I'm off to Amazon to get all his albums. Thank you you-tube !

[@TokyoBlue587]

you should watch "Stop Making Sense" -- Talking Heads at their best.

[@WCanyon]

See him live sometime if you can. The sooner the better, he's 66 now!

[@papatruss]

@@TokyoBlue587 I was showing my 18 year old son both. Stop making sense live was, in my opinion, the best live music show ever. Many years ago I worked as crew on live events and was lucky enough to do stop lights on the uh-oh tour in 1993 at Brixton academy. When we were setting it up there was hardly any lights. Just a few floor can with colour changers on them and very few in the truss above. Most bands that we worked on had trucks and trunks of the moving lights and bling. But it was one of the best light shows I ever saw! The use of colour and shadows they created was so well done. The angles, sizes and thought that went into it was unbelievable. Just shows sometimes less is more. The mans a genius!

[@MrAntennaBall]

He’s a highly functional savant. Perhaps more than he’d like to publicly admit, which I think, much, much more remarkable when a person like that would rather have you look at the man and not the affliction. Kinda like Ian Curtis, but chose to live rather than end it. Or, perhaps, like Freddie Mercury… Same attitude about having Aides but he rocked his heart out towards the bitter end. David, though, unlike those two - is Texan through and through so he’s defending “The Alamo” so to speak. Heheh!

[@Fletcher109]

Still listen to this- it's better than the 4k recycled concert - which is awesome too. This is straight raw fun.

[@barrywilsonjr.1797]

I’m obsessed w this video. Christina Wheeler is a miracle. This is one of the best performances ever recorded. Unfuckingbelievable!

[@michaeldesoto4222]

WTF!!! This is Tight as FUCK!!!! Absolutely Amazing

[@mr.sandman1177]

Byrne is a musical genius!

[@drewmt]

This line-up is so tight, so smooth, so hot, so cool, so warm. This fusion of funk, soul, rock, and art-pop has never been smashed quite like this! And look at the playing it brings out of Byrne--here, he is a GREAT guitarist, something he doesn't get credit for usually.

[@vimtokenny]

2 true.fantastik

[@neonmeate8180]

I mean…the Talking Heads? 😂

[@carbonsiliconnn]

Dance on Vaseline was epic here

[@ej1mshan]

20 years latter, still cutting edge.

[@callsignstatic6872]

barely look to Robert Smith

[@pgonzo98]

smith is now a sad parody of himself...

[@BetinaCarlsson]

Oh my, it is 20 (21) years ago now! I thought for a moment you were kidding. That's crazy - I remember him at Roskilde that year. Just saw him Monday in Copenhagen doing his inspirational talk on "Reasons to be cheerful".

[@Mofromusic]

I simply cannot take my eyes off that female singer / dancer!!!

[@BlercNet]

I am so with you, although the pianists head sticks now and then and destroys the harmony

[@proximityconcord7259]

She doesn't look like she has any bones, but in a good way.

[@jorgearrigone6824]

You know I had the same problem when I watched this video yesterday. I could not take my eyes off that very sexy singer! It's just the way she grooves and moves to that beat.

[@ryleypaskal5785]

FUCK YOU CHECK MY VIDS OUT

[@DOSSIES]

Mofromusic I know right I dream about them hips

[@DDball]

Isn't it beautiful? ... no cell phones recording in the background ... people actually watching a show. "Note to self: Get big suit."

[@ondaride777]

I tried to film, picture one of the shows once, but decided not to do that anymore and enjoy the show fully instead.

[@imagecarpenter]

Why can't I reply to a particular person and not shunted to bottom of list? Anyway this to DDBall > And Richie Valens haircut.

[@ryleypaskal5785]

SHUT THE FUCK CHECK MY VIDS OUT!!

[@brendamyers8494]

@@ondaride777 plus the copyright infringement lol

[@ondaride777]

@@brendamyers8494 I simply couldn't "multitask" as filming of the event takes another attention that I would rather spend fully to the show even where it's completely okay to use.

[@grvonny]

feel the Byrne!!!

[@sirwinstonlennon6486]

+grvonny that's dumb

[@grvonny]

Sir Winston Lennon you're just mad because you didn't think of it first, haha. Don't be mad....

[@NickfIfOuK]

+grvonny Byrneing Down the House !! Nick

[@SagradaMascarita]

too busy feeling the bern ; )

[@TokyoBlue587]

most boring audience ever, though. Who can sit still during "I Zimbra" or "Take Me to the River"? Those songs just demand that you get up & dance!

[@pablo.romero]

The exquisite Girl is Christina Wheeler. Vocalist and electronic artist. Formerly located in New York and a member of David Byrne's band. Now lives in Berlin.She worked with Lou Reed, Balanescu Quartet and lot of artists...

[@sullivan2339]

Thank You.

[@macmac941]

The essence of rhythm. Sublime.

[@carbonsiliconnn]

Seen this show in Shepherds Bush London back in the day. Big pink fluffy suit and everything

[@ritamarks3935]

David Byrne just might be my favorite person that has ever lived. There are just no words to describe how truly awesome he is!

[@imagecarpenter]

That's one way to stop audiences asking for psycho killer again.

[@keekma]

I saw this concert live in Groningen (The Netherlands). It was the most impressive of all concerts I was. Byrne was out of this world. And the singer so energetic

[@pgonzo98]

one of the great genius of the CBGB era...

[@buckrogez87]

This set is fuckin flawless!!! Great interpretation of talking heads tracks, the Byrne tunes are amazing! the band is crazy on point!!! But that slide guitar playing is OUT OF THIS FUCKIN WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@sjk_240]

I seriously love this DAMN MUSIC. This is like nothing i have ever heard BEFORE. PURE MAGIC. everything david byrne does. pure damn magic. I hope he never dies. I want to meet him. Fucking genius. I havent been able to stop listening to talking heads for 2 weeks since i discovered them

[@Bobou2]

I was at the taping of this show 6/12/97...I had an aisle seat facing front. As I remember he came out with that fuzzy suit later not in the beginning. I remember this because DB was standing next to me ready to go on and his arm was rubbing on my face...he said sorry and went on..... that body suit flipped everyone out.

[@booshting3520]

Busted lying lol

[@user-et6eh8mx5d]

An amazing David Byrne with all Players: Lead/Backing Vocals Christina Wheeler, Bass Guitar/Vocals Desmond Foster, Drums/Sampler Rea Mochiach, Steel Guitar/ Keyboards/Guitar Bruce Kaphan

[@proberts209]

If you want a real life work out, try dancing through this entire performance...besides, it will make you smile even if you have to sit down :) Love me some David Byrne!

[@stevenrobbins9472]

Wiggly girl with beautiful voice, great asset to any band!

[@ottovonbismarck6310]

That woman is good; she should be credited.

[@Cosmicprog2012]

ONE OF THE BEST (SYNTH-ADVANCED) BYRNE'S BURNED LIVES.

[@hiddenfire65]

I haven't paid much attention to DB in a long time but this is pretty strong. I like that female singer's energy too.

[@cornelisvisser8196]

So glad to het this video ...lacking his career bcse living in a countr y(only foreign music Beatles And stones ...not kidding

[@ThePrincej3rd]

I saw this line up in lawrence, Kansas and it was a crazy dance party from the get go! I could not believe the amount of energy he put into a show!

[@MrBlond777]

I was at that show too. Amazing!

[@markkelly940]

Cool man, David Byrne in his prime!!!! Respect......

[@sheerluckholmes7720]

Byrne is the Court Jester that is simply a genius, or even just a simple genius, and what a tight band ! Vocalist sings like a diva & dances like a sensual lioness alongside Intense Mir Cat Byrne ! Saw TH's at an open air festival in 1983/4- they came on stage at midnight, opened with "Take Me to the River" & my life changed for the better.......

[@vidtrax662]

David Byrne is one of the most underated Artiste and Guitarist. Such a brilliant composer and musician not to mention his showmanship. Rare and endangered.

[@muzquizsebastian207]

If it catches your attention for an extended period of time then it must be special. Exactly what this concert is. It's great!

[@brownj2]

What an amazing band, everyone. But damn, she is fabulous.

[@joeyday576]

I remember catching the end of this on PBS back in the day and totally crushing on the lady singing and dancing. So great to see the whole show!

[@SirHatchporch]

Good god, this is phenomenal. A true artist.

[@sullivan2339]

Ten years later- I'm still in Love with the gal dancing in the Lime green Top- So sweet-

[@LeeBarry]

One of my favorite performances, with a similar rhythmic intensity of the Remain in Light tour. Adrian Belew would have been a great addition to this line-up.

[@pradeepdas1841]

Amazing Byrne forever at the forefront of avant garde musik.

[@Stratman389]

"i'll show you how to do it, y'all can do it later"

[@flydubs792]

Making floppy floppy was how I was re-introduced to this session

[@geodix1968]

I've seen David Byrne Live a few times and I've been a fan for ever. I love this performance. IMHO this is Mr. Byrne at his best.Or, maybe it's just very cool.

[@birdsongplace]

I am so glad I came across this video this evening. It placed a cherry on the top of my evening!

[@HiltonT69]

David Byrne (and Talking Heads) is *THE* artist who got me interested in the music industry. Music is one of the very few things that can reach across cultural, political, religious, age, gender and many other boundaries and touch people in a good way. David Byrne is an amazing artist and musician and although I never got to see Talking Heads live, I had the privilege to see one of his solo shows.

[@derekgriffin2181]

If you watch this without sound it looks like your high school science teacher wrote some songs about protons and neutrons, and performed them with the music teachers on public access.. But absolutely phenomenal. So tight

[@DanThibodeau1]

Desmond Foster! It's cool seeing a reggae artist play funky new-wave bass 🤟 such an amazing show

[@donstrickland4347]

Two important pieces of talking heads feel diminished and remember being more important. Unfortunately for them, David was an artist beyond there level. He continues to move forward, very quickly. He is as important in art as anyone you can think of.

[@johndugan4310]

How to describe it. What can you say? How can you say it? What would you say? .Just watch. It's 2am on a Thursday in the middle of all that we're all going through in the world and I still find myself watching this whole show- again. David is David. Amazing. Brilliant. The band crushes it. But Christina Wheeler owns everything. You will never and have never seen anyone like this. Stunning, jaw dropping. What else can you say. She is the fire that burns down the whole room. It's like watching a tornado indoors. If you look at the audience they are actually frozen in place. Frozen. They can't move. All eyes are on her. The music of course crushes it and David is fantastic- mind blowing stuff. The looks on some of those faces audience says it all. All this beautiful, talented life wrapped in one person. So Christina wherever you are -unbelievable, legendary show and a late night thank you.

[@flesknakken]

unbelievable set

[@SantiPenuela]

this just keeps getting weirder and weirder... i love it.

[@plant1deep4u2]

It's odd the entire room didn't get up and dance with him. I remember Grace Slick said that being the performing band at the party just happened to be "least crowded place at the party . . . " David is really a brilliant artist.

[@jlac967]

I remember seeing this show on PBS back in 97-98, it was fantastic then and it's fantastic now!!

[@timosnorthshore]

Me too, and I never forgot it.

[@TheMisterGriswold]

2:19 When they launch into the Fuzzy Freaky Groove. Goes to a whole other level. Insane!

[@gloriaviola8315]

In's wonderful. I love the pink . I love you David. Simply Amazing

[@madahad9]

Over a decade ago I got to see David Byrne live at a small convert in New Haven, Onnecticut called Toad's Place. What an amazing show. I was right up against the stage which is all of about four feet high so the performance was face to face. He did Pycho Killer as an encore dressed in a skin-tight body suit with the human muscles printed on it. He is a very very skinny man. A great show.

[@keithfinsley330]

This is EPIC! I want to start a band that sound like this!

[@Francisco_420]

Never seen anyone wear a pink fur suit with such confidence but that's just David doing his funky thing.. Respect✊

[@bunnibouillabaise]

wow wow wow honestly fr..kin. brilliant...! makes me happy !

[@BIGeSTRING]

I hardly dare to say it, but I think this is even better than the Talking Heads

[@roccoharris]

who gives this a thumbs-down?!? I mean... wow!! it's so friggin' good!!

[@TheMirolab]

This is one of my favorite DB performances! I wish so much that they would make it available on DVD or Blu Ray. Please Please PBS.... make all the Sessions @ West 54th available!

[@bookmedia67]

Most incredible version of "Making Flippy Floppy" ever.

[@jackshel]

Andrew sd except that interview part. is this available on dvd?

[@josevillagran6480]

@@jackshel vvv vç

[@TiedoGroeneveld]

Saw him/them in my hometown - Groningen, the Netherlands. During that same tour, February 1998. Great concert, great lineup. Set started with Once In A Lifetime, Byrne dressed in that same pink suit but shirt bright green. Yes, the costume changes. Very funny/effective.

[@CaptainLog]

I remember watching this live and being blown away. I'm barely 32 but it has stuck with me forever. The people sitting around like they are watching a lecture need to get their heads on straight. When I saw Byrne at the Ryman in Nashville I was the weird giant guy dancing in the aisles. How can you sit through this?

[@dylanrhymerthecomedian8023]

I saw him on this tour twice in 1997 in London and Edinburgh, both shows were the best I've ever been to (and I got to meet him after the show!) Until now all I had were my memories. Thanks so much for posting this!!!

[@SerenityAutumn]

Dylan Rhymer What was he like when you met him?

[@dylanrhymerthecomedian8023]

Just as cool as you would expect. My sister and I waited out back of the venue in Edinburgh until 1 am and he finally came out and started taking his bicycle apart and putting it into the bus,. One of the roadies offered t help but David told him to head inside and have a drink and relax. Then he came around and introduced himself to everyone who was waiting, about ten of us. He shook hands and took time to ask about every one of us, looking us in the eye and was genuinely interested. He must have been out there for 45 mins. A real gem. Shorter than I'd expected because he's such a huge stage presence.

[@SerenityAutumn]

Dylan Rhymer Aw man. What a great guy. Very few famous people like that left in the world, I would assume.

[@SerenityAutumn]

Dylan Rhymer Aw man. What a great guy. Very few famous people like that left in the world, I would assume.

[@austinwright6856]

I also saw this tour when it came to Boston. Such an awesome show!

[@paulmckay9467]

He is a scottish legend

[@Katy51844]

He's really from Scotland? Never heard his speak.

[@frudrew1]

Man I've been looking for this show for years! Thanks mate :)

[@tommyundnemo]

coooolest sessions EVER!!! thank you for posting!!!

[@aristotle358]

I've never come across this guy before but I have to say, although a bit freaky and unusual, he is very entertaining and the band all get into it giving us a good performance. I'm glad I checked it out.

[@amysticmyth]

aristotle358 watch the Jonathan demme movie talking heads stop making sense. Best concert film ever.

[@taurangasurf]

Fuck ...DB and his band are on 🔥 here

[@walterh234]

HE IS A GENIUS

[@JayBuff19]

What a killer version of Miss America. This was my first tour I saw him, haven’t missed one since :)

[@stevek4957]

Byrne does not let himself be bound by conventions.

[@slowandcrystal]

This just grabs you by the ears and does not let go! Sheer Brilliance. Bring on American Utopia Mr Byrne 2018 it will be a little bit better!

[@CliffsRiffs]

Love this version of Miss America. Thanks to whomever put this up here. I saw it when it aired......blew me away, away, away.

[@bsananda0]

yes comparing the superpower to a supermodel I love America in spanish to latin beat best version so far

[@suegha]

Making flippy floppy was the strangest version that I have ever heard! I'm so glad that I discovered this on youtube! :) Great gig!

[@daviddaigle4841]

I'm responding to you from my boyfriend's account : ) This is like the ultimate 90s redo of Making Flippy Floppy. Still awesome!

[@suegha]

Yes, really amazing!

[@ryanmoore2698]

The solos in fuzzy freaky are surprisingly badass for being in a band that strictly did not have guitar solos

[@jaaceknoowak]

Check "Born under punches" around 2:40 - fits in my top 10 solos of all time

[@kj6qvb]

David's solo electric guitar work was obviously influenced by Adrian Belew's stint with the TH.

[@drjsrosenberg]

Most of the sole lows which sound like Belew are from the other guitarist

[@mrbob92679]

I have seem him many times and he never seems to amaze me on his style.So free and different. Wish i could of seen him in this place. What a cool show.Go David Byrne!!!.

[@manart3954]

Just Wow !

[@DarkeningSkies1]

"Sessions At West 54th" wasn't on the air very long, but of all the performances that aired, this is certainly my favorite.

[@tonbonthemon]

0:30 Fuzzy Freaky 5:49 Making Flippy Floppy 11:59 Take Me to The River 17:52 Help Me Somebody 21:59 Dance on Vaseline 27:02 Back in The Box 33:28 Miss America 39:50 Psycho Killer 44:15 I Zimbra

[@BLIZBLIZBLORT]

you da real mvp etc, etc

[@jayrobb9]

Thank you. Wanted to skip straight to Help Me Somebody :)

[@oooyugi]

Thanks for that ...

[@farcebook1836]

I used to have this on vhs. Lost it in the shuffle years ago. FINALLY!!! Found it on u-tube. Love this performance! Thank you... 👾

[@vimtokenny]

FAB

[@buckrogez87]

Even FUNKIER THEN THE 80'S SHIT MAN AND THATS HARD TO DO!!!!! FUCKIN BYRNE MAN ETERNALLY KEEPIN IT FUCKIN REAL! thanks for the UPLOAD!

[@BillyJoeJimBob8]

Christina Wheeler's dancing, especially that bootie shaking at the beginning of "Take Me to the River" from 12:07 to 12:35 is a thing of absolute beauty. I could watch that on a loop all day...

[@nonconman7733]

This is sick af!

[@user-hl4jj3hb4h]

David is so dedicated to 'The Work'!

[@delilah7277]

OUT FREAKING STANDING!!! I especially love the whole outfit for Psycho Killer

[@xsillybuggerx]

Only just found this set and it is absolutely fantastic! .......ok so who else is a full on Byrne fan but found themselves just fixated by the backing singers backside? :) 12mins 16 for a good example...what a mover :)

[@SteveMccart-uj7ec]

A+

[@Byronwalks]

Great performance!

[@imgwannakickbooty]

I have not been to a concert in something like 25 years, but I gotta go see Mr. Byrne before I'm dead. Thanks for posting this!

[@Offdrive3]

killer studio show. what a wicked rhythm machine this unit is and DB is in great form.

[@buckfastpk]

Someone posted this version of psycho killer on twitter today and I've watched the whole session twice, it absolutely brilliant I love it..Thank You!

[@DRUMTOY2002]

Thank you so much!!!!

[@borstal72]

what...did...I...just...see? Byrne my man, you is a bag of awesome

[@dondouglas3673]

Genio total, músico, escritor, e investigador.

[@ashleytweedale2707]

HOW are people sitting down throughout this entire performance!?

[@blachubear]

He's playing to an artsy New York crowd.

[@wendyowen1925]

Ashley Tweedale They're instructed to at this venue. i know...I'd be going NUTS :)

[@andyp926]

Just thinking how great it would be to be the backing vocalist for this, just so you get a chance to dance!