Cory Wong Performs ‘Bluebird’ Featuring Eddie Barbash For ‘Colbert’

Guitarist Cory Wong stars in the latest installment of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’s #PlayAtHome video series. Cory Wong performs “Bluebird” backed by his massive The Wongnotes band featuring saxophonist Eddie Barbash on the set of his “Cory & The Wongnotes” variety show.

Wong previously released “Bluebird” featuring Chris Thile on mandolin on his Trail Songs: Dawn album last August. While the version on Trail Songs: Dawn was an acoustic affair, Cory and the band go electric for Colbert.

“I’ve always been a fan of late-night TV,” said Wong when his variety show was announced, “specifically late-night talk shows. But as a musician, I’ve selfishly wanted more focus on the music and the musicians! So I figured I’d start my own show that does it…For years I have worked as a bandleader and music director for other projects, but doing it for my own show has been a real pleasure. Beyond the musical aspect, it has been a creatively energizing endeavor to write and act in sketches, and to take the wheel as host of the show. This is the most ambitious and creatively fulfilling project for me. I brought in some of my best friends and musicians that I know to create together and to interview them about their process.”

The eight-episode “Cory & The Wongnotes” was recorded in a “tested bubble” during August of 2020. New installments of the variety show air each Thursday on Wong’s YouTube channel. An album of the same name is due next Friday, February 5.

Watch Wong’s “Bluebird” contribution to ‘The Late Show’s’ #PlayAtHome video series below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXFvAnTIJfw&ab_channel=TheLateShowwithStephenColbert