WBGO Blog

  • 'Treme,' Ep. 30: Doing One Thing Right

    November 19, 2012. Posted by WBGO.

    Add new comment | Filed under: A Blog Supreme, Treme
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    Antoine Batiste (Wendell Pierce) and his student Robert (Jaron Williams) take a minute with trumpeter Lionel Ferbos, playing himself, at the Palm Court Jazz Cafe. (Image Credit: Paul Schiraldi/HBO)

    Nearly three seasons in, the character Davis still puzzles many of us who watch the show Treme.

    He certainly cares. Whether leading historical tours or launching R&B operas for royalty-abuse awareness, or throwing himself into various protests, he has a winning drive to do right by his hometown. Davis lives to participate in the New Orleans music community, and the earnest charm of his homerism isn't lost on other characters around him.

    At the same time, he's a whiny brat. He's uncomfortable with the privilege of his upbringing, yet moans when its largesse can't rescue his schemes or buy him acceptance. He aspires to work with the top tier of musicians in town, but clearly isn't on their level, and doesn't put in the effort to fix that. And as a boyfriend, he's so self-absorbed as to take Annie's presence for granted, even meddling drunkenly in her successes — not to mention cheating on her. It is implied, though never stated, that he's a tiny bit jealous of Annie's success.

    We heard his intrusion as Annie's Bayou Cadillac band tracked "This City" in the studio. Then we hear him working out an angry new song called "I Quit" at his piano. For the rest of this episode in music, here's Josh Jackson of WBGO.

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    © 2012 WBGO

  • 'Treme,' Ep. 29: Heckuva View

    November 12, 2012. Posted by Joshua Jackson.

    Add new comment | Filed under: A Blog Supreme, Treme
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    Desiree (Phyllis Montana-LeBlanc) takes the initiative to document shady construction projects. (Image Credit: Paul Schiraldi/HBO)

    After the musical bonanza that was the Mardi Gras episode, things slow down for some plot development in episode eight of Treme's third season. The writing team sticks to its other strengths: the minutiae of a broken police system, how to run a restaurant, bureaucracy in action and various romantic interludes.

    But a few live music scenes do make it to screen. Here's Josh Jackson of WBGO for some analysis.

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    © 2012 WBGO

  • 'Treme,' Ep. 27: Fat Tuesday 2008

    November 5, 2012. Posted by Joshua Jackson.

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    Aaron Neville performs with The Neville Brothers in Treme. (Image Credit: Paul Schiraldi/HBO)

    The three seasons of Treme have all found their way to Mardi Gras; appropriately, the day is always depicted with all the spectacle, vice and musical mayhem you might expect. Josh Jackson of WBGO returns to break down the many musical scenes in this year's go-round.

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    © 2012 WBGO