Watch Ira Kaplan’s Mom Help Close Out Yo La Tengo’s 2023 Hanukkah Run

Yo La Tengo’s annual eight-night Hanukkah run at New York City’s Bowery Ballroom concluded with a final show on Thursday night. The traditional run ended with another tradition as guitarist Ira Kaplan’s mother Marilyn Kaplan came out for the last song of the series, once again helping to sing “My Little Corner Of The World.”

“Many years ago, when Ira was very young, he described something as being ‘the most fun of his whole life,’” Marilyn Kaplan said after taking the stage. “And I want to quote Ira: being here on the eighth night has been the high spot – one of the top five – of my life.”

Accompanied by her son on guitar, her daughter-in-law Georgia Hubley on drums and James McNew on bass, Marilyn Kaplan then invited the audience to sing along to “My Little Corner Of The World.” Recorded by Yo La Tengo for their 1997 album I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One, “My Little Corner Of The World” was written by Bob Hilliard and Lee Pockriss. The song popularized in 1960 by Anita Bryant has frequently served as the finale of Yo La Tengo’s annual Hanukkah runs, with Marilyn Kaplan providing lead vocals.

Watch the heartfelt moment from last night’s concert at The Bowery:

Earlier in the evening, night eight saw opening performances by a reunited The Aislers Set and comedian David Cross taking questions as Rabbi Alan Sugarman.

Yo La Tengo’s main set began with a reworking of Al Johnson’s “Carnival Time” as “Hanukkah Time.” The band was joined for much of the by CJ Camerieri on trumpet and French horn and Mike McGinnis on saxophone and clarinet. The horns augmented the opener and remained for successive renditions of “Before We Run,” “Moby Octopad” and “Mr. Tough” and a cover of the Hanukkah song “Eight Candles.”

The trio went it alone for “Let’s Do It Wrong,” “The Crying of Lot G” and “Shades of Blue.” The horns were again summoned ahead of the This Stupid World track “Apology Letter” and they stuck around for “Black Flowers” and Freddy Cannon’s “Patty Baby.” The band then went it alone on “86-Second Blowout,” “Decora” and “Blue Line Swinger.”

The last song of Yo La Tengo’s main set was a cover Dan Fogelberg’s “Earth Anthem.” The closer featured the members of The Aislers Set and McGinnis and Camerieri accompanying the band.

The encore began with a cover of Richard Hell’s “The Kid With The Replaceable Head.” Guitarist Vicki Peterson of The Bangles and The Continental Drifters was welcomed to the stage along with her husband, John Cowsill whose credits include performing with The Beach Boys and many others. The pair of guests led off with a cover of “I’m Into Something Good,” which was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin and was a hit for Herman’s Hermits. Peterson and Cowsill also assisted on a cover of “I Can Hear Music,” which was written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector and recorded by The Ronettes and Beach Boys.

The previously mentioned “My Little Corner Of The World” then punctuated the impressive run of guest-filled shows. “My Little Corner Of The World” was performed as the first song of this year’s Hanukkah run. Along with the two different arrangements of the title track to their 2023 album, This Stupid World, last night’s finale was the only song repeat of the eight-show run that featured over 150 different songs.

Setlist (via Frank & Earthy)

Set: It’s Hanukkah Time (Al Johnson) (with CJ Camerieri on trumpet/French horn & Mike McGinnis on saxophone/clarinet), Before We Run (with CC & MM), Moby Octopad (with CC & MM), Mr. Tough (with CC & MM), Eight Candles (Sam Elwitt) (with CC & MM), Let’s Do It Wrong The Crying of Lot G, Shades of Blue, Apology Letter (with CC & MM), Black Flowers (with CC & MM), Patty Baby (Freddie Cannon) (with CC & MM), 86-Second Blowout, Decora, Blue Line Swinger, Earth Anthem (Dan Fogelberg) (with CC, MM, & the Aislers Set)

Encore: The Kid with the Replaceable Head (Richard Hell), I’m Into Something Good (Carole King & Gerry Goffin) (with Vicki Peterson on guitar/vocals & John Cowsill on vocals), I Can Hear Music (Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich/Phil Spector) (with VP & JC), My Little Corner of the World (Bob Hilliard & Lee Pockriss) (with Marilyn Kaplan on vocals)

Notes:

• Opening Act: The Aislers Set
• Comedian: David Cross
• Mix CD: Gruff Rhys
• Benefiting: Freedom For Immigrants