Watch: Spike Lee Films John Legend and the Roots

Posted by Ray Padgett at 11:30 am Add comments

Sep 242010

Do the Right Thing. Driving Miss Daisy. John Legend and the Roots at Terminal 5. What do these things have in common? Well, if you read the headline, you already know: Spike Lee filmed them. As part of American Express’ Unstaged series pairing famous musicians with famous directors, Lee brought his Brooklyn touch to last night’s Manhattan concert. He went all out, recreating the Wake Up! album cover onstage and letting the guys do their thing.

So far only two songs have been archived, but if the recent Arcade Fire/Terry Gilliam Unstaged is any indication, the full thing will be rebroadcast in a week or two. Until then, check out Legend and the Roots performing Eugene McDaniels’ “Compared to What” and album highlight “I Can’t Write Left Handed.” As we saw before, this latter features the Roots’ “Captain” Kirk Douglas playing brain-exploding guitar. Screw “best guitarist in hip-hop”; this guy might be one of the best guitarists around period.

EDIT: Added third song, “Wake Up Everybody,” at bottom.

John Legend and the Roots – Compared to What (Eugene McDaniels cover)

John Legend and the Roots – I Can’t Write Left Handed (Bill Withers cover)

John Legend and the Roots – Wake Up Everybody (Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes cover)

Check out backstage videos and more at JohnLegendVEVO.

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