Last night, Yo La Tengo played the eighth and final night of this year’s annual Hanukkah celebrations at the Bowery Ballroom in New York. The last evening served as a massive display of talent featuring a slew of special guests.

The Aislers Set opened the show, marking their first live performance in over seven years, and longtime friend of Yo La Tengo David Cross did the comedian spot in his iconic Rabbi Alvin Sugarman character.

Yo La Tengo opened the main set opened with a reworking of Al Johnson’s New Orleans classic “It’s Carnival Time” shifted to “It’s Hanukkah Time.” For the rendtion they were joined by yMusic’s CJ Camerieri and saxophonist Mike McGinnis, who continued on for most of the set. Other highlights included covers of Sam Elwitt’s “Eight Candles,” Freddie Cannon’s “Patty Baby,” and The Turtles’ “Earth Anthem,” which served as the set closer and also featured The Aislers Set.

The encore was once again deviated to great Jewish songwriters and was opened with Richard Hell’s “The Kid with the Replaceable Head.” Next The Bangles’ Vicki Peterson and her husband John Cowsill sat in for” I’m Into Something Good” by Carole King & Gerry Goffin. The display continued on with “I Can Hear Music” by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector. The night closed with Ira Kaplan’s mother, Marilyn Kaplan, sitting in on “My Little Corner of the World,” as she does at the close of the run each year – effectively bookending the beautiful eight night celebration.

Yo La Tengo
Bowery Ballroom – New York
Dec. 14, 2023
*(Hanukkah, night 8)*

opening act: The Aislers Set
comedian: David Cross
mix CD: Gruff Rhys
benefiting: Freedom For Immigrants

Set: It’s Hanukkah Time (Al Johnson) (with CJ Camerieri on trumpet/French horn & Mike McGinnis on saxophone/clarinet), Before We Run (with CC & MM), Moby Octopad (with CC & MM), Mr. Tough (with CC & MM), Eight Candles (Sam Elwitt) (with CC & MM), Let’s Do It Wrong, The Crying of Lot G, Shades of Blue, Apology Letter (with CC & MM), Black Flowers (with CC & MM), Patty Baby (Freddie Cannon) (with CC & MM), 86-Second Blowout, Decora, Blue Line Swinger, Earth Anthem (The Turtles) (with CC, MM, & the Aislers Set)

Enc.: The Kid with the Replaceable Head (Richard Hell), I’m Into Something Good (Carole King & Gerry Goffin) (with Vicki Peterson on guitar/vocals & John Cowsill on vocals), I Can Hear Music (Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich/Phil Spector) (with VP & JC), My Little Corner of the World (Bob Hilliard & Lee Pockriss) (with Marilyn Kaplan on vocals)

Credit Frank & Earthy: http://www.jessejarnow.com/category/ylt / @bourgwick ]