Remember when MTV2 used to play videos most of the time? Hell, remember when MTV played music videos at all? A group of acoustic musicians in Madison certainly do, as recalled in a review by Kiki Schueler, Madison's magical music memoirist. On Tuesday, Oct. 3, many of the city's musical standouts gathered at the Café Montmartre to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the launching of the once music, now lifestyle television network, complete with hits from the '80s. Starting appropriately with a cover of The Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star," the performers moved through well-known songs (with even better known videos) from the likes of a-Ha, Duran Duran and Cyndi Lauper.
Schueler also shot and published a video from the concert, focusing on a cover of Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" as performed by Burr Settles and his Pine Box Orchestra. The musicians included Brian Smith playing the cello and Sarah Wynia with a muted trumpet, who took care of the syncopated twin beats for which the song is famed.
The two minute live music video follows below.
Schueler offers her conclusion on the live homage to MTV in its infancy: "While not quite as daring as the Madison Goes Metal night, this was equally entertaining. I hope they continue to do these theme nights, not only are they a lot of fun, but they also foster a sense of community in Madison's music community. Well, at least the acoustic portion of it." There are more photos of the show available here.
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