Music from Civil Rights PBS

SERENADING THE PREZ: The Black History Month special In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement aired last night on PBS, and we forgot to TiVo it, but Rollingstone.com’s Daniel Kreps was in front of his flat-screen taking notes. President Obama opened the concert by detailing music’s pivotal role in the civil rights movement, quoting Congressman John Lewis by saying, “For in the darkest hour, songs fed our spirits, gave us hopes.” With Stevie Wonder sitting front row, Will.i.am performed Wonder’s own “Master Blaster (Jammin’).” Jennifer Hudson and Smokey Robinson teamed for the Curtis Mayfield-penned “People Get Ready.” In his White House debut performance, Bob Dylan played an intimate rendition of “The Times They Are A-Changin’, ” Joan Baez sang “We Shall Overcome,” and John Mellencamp performed “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize.” All of the performances are streaming now on the PBS Website. (2/16a)