Sessions At West 54th

I mentioned this on Friday but I've recently been digging into episodes of Sessions at West 54th, a late 90's show with a plethora of phenomenal performances. It's structured similarly to Austin City Limits, in that it's really just a concert in a smaller venue with an intimate feel but the vibe is much different. Here's a smattering of worthwhile items to watch:

• David Byrne - Nov 15th, 1997 - he plays some solo songs but also a lot of Talking Heads songs, reworked into compelling new styles. Byrne would go on to host the show in the second season.
• Beck - Sept 5th, 1997 - recorded right at the tail end of the O'Delay tour, this is probably Beck at his finest.
• Sonic Youth - 1997 - lots of noise and longform improve from SY but still a compelling thing to see broadcast on TV.

And that's just three sessions. There are so many to dig around for.

Which really begs the question, in our digital age of Everything Streaming why aren't these more available than just YouTube rips? At that seems to exist are some Best Of compilation DVDs and a handful of sessions. If they're digitizing all fine art, surely they can rip a DVD to a streamable video?

That last part is facetious, I'm sure it's all wrapped up in rights issues combined with Potential Income vs Work Required laziness to get it out into the world but it's a shame that these aren't more widely available.