pivoboy

Thank you for the excellent recap - you caught the general vibe of the night very well.  I was struck by the excellent sound, at least from where I was sat in the stalls. It was loud without being overly so and soft when it needed to be. 

There was some apparent mix up with tickets at the box office and a lot had to be reprinted to much grumbling by the staff. 

Inspirational sign downstairs: ``Tonight - Tweedy. Next Event: Cats''
 

GTRPlyr, Shakespeare: Yeesh. Mucho bad. But I see the Orleans makes a reappearance there. Oh the humanity.

Question is - what's the criteria for determining a bad record cover? Does it just generally have to suck because it is boring (witness my previous comment about the U2 record) or perhaps offensive (Scorpions with the woman on her knees next to the Doberman, which MUST have inspired Smell the Glove)? Why not consider the entire Journey, Yes or Styx songbooks with their mid-70s fantasy art that launched a 1000 huge belt buckles and cosmically painted Chevy Vans? I should agree with an earlier posting that the initial list is lame and picks out a few (Orleans?) that are simply gone to the Where Are They Now file instead of being classics that still have lame covers. Criteria.....we need criteria.

For my money U2s How to Dismantle an Atom Bomb was pretty lame for a band that had done such great covers in the past. It kinda mirrored the lack of passion in the music.....

Ah thanks for that Nothin' - super article that I normally wouldn't see - written for gear geeks like me.

In all of the numerous interviews with Tweedy and co. in the last month I have not seen a reference or question asked about the recording process of late other than a change up in the production seats to allow Pat to help out. My curiousity is that some years ago there was an article in the Wall St. Journal about a handful of bands that prefered to record using analog tape as opposed to digital - Wilco was one of the bands, and the article cited Tweedy as having to scour much fo the U.S. to still find any tape anywhere because no one was manufacturing it. In some cases bands were re-recording over their old work tape or buying masters from other bands that didn't want them to reuse the tape.

Has anyone read how they have dealt with this problem in recent years? I think the article dates back to the AGIB period so obviously they have had to live with this technological issue for more than a few years now.

Crow Daddy nails it and I should have been more lucid in my commentary as I think one of my semi-sodden postings once alluded to this very idea once so pithily stated by the Starship: ``Fuuuuuuuuck you we do what we want.'' God Bless em for that.

I would fully agree with the well-thought arguments here as to Wilco's history. I've never understood why the haters came out so strongly on WTA or SBS when the songwriting was so good. Everlastiing was a wonderful way to close out the record and is one of my favourite songs from the album. ``Wilco (The Song)'' is just a goof, a fun way to kick things off - certainly it isn't on par with Jesus Etc but the overall weight of the Wilco Project must sometimes get too heavy to bear and so a little fun was in order. SBS is probably my least favourite of all the records, simply because I was expecting an extension of AGIB and instead got John Wesley Harding meets Harvest and consequently spent a lot of time trying to adjust.

From the latest, I am diligently working on all the songs with only Red Lung not really rising on me yet.....sure hope some of the ``other'' material eventually surfaces for us to hear.

I guess that if WTA and SBS were jello, TWL is chewy and that's a fine thing - there's going to be loads to unravel and enjoy. I was pleased that Almost rocked immediately and dragged me into the whole album without regret or apology. If there are actually 60 songs floating about it would be interesting to hear what was rejected in favour of what's emerged. The tracking is a bit interesting - clearly Almost and SFJSB deserve their opening and closing slots - the rest I'm not sure fall into any discernible order. Dawned on Me is clearly my third-favourite song but the chewiness is going to come from setting them aside and figuring out how to treat the rest of the material - those three are so super-human efforts that they dwarfed my initial listens to the new record.

Has anyone posted or seen a text of lyrics for SFJSB?

I didn't want to lay no bum trips with my semi-flame - it was probably the music talking. But as one person noted earlier it was an annotated comment after watching something like a year of round-robin debate about W (TA) and what horrors likely lay in store if Jeff continues to draft such piffle. I am probably overreaching here in that I don't think anyone has said ``piffle,'' of course, but it seemed to go on and on. I wouldn't want 100 percent slavish devotion to the cause either and the debates can be interesting. To a point. In the end I was amused by recent comments on songs that haven't been released yet and performed perhaps once.

That said, Coldplay, as of this morning, is STILL threatening to release something, a development that is frankly troubling me.

We are on the cusp of a new Wilco release - something those of you who post on this board with a alert frequency bordering on the frenzy. Frankly, I worry that they can release the actual record at this point, mostly because so many have seen this event as an extension of Wilco: the Album. A record which all of you seem to have evaluated as a lie, a cheat, a crime and something that might be akin to Wilco actually having re-recorded "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Movie Soundtrack" and then holding forth for two weeks in Chicago playing it over and over and over again.

I heave heard yet from the new record: one single: I Might

I have seen shaky You Tube videos from Solid Sound: born alone, whole love and a few others - most of which makes me wonder whether the holder of the phone had polio and had been drinking for a week before actually getting to the show.

And yet, so much negative grokking about a record no one has actually heard! The record will suck! It will be their best since (fill in the blank) but not as good as (fill in here).

Has Jeff lost his edge? Why is Jeff not sad? Why won't he be sad so he can write with an edge? I liked it more when he had migraines (panic attacks) and had 30 minute torment songs about pain! Is that the thanks I get for loving you?

Lord, have we not heard the Starship when they sang, "Fuuuuuck you, we do what we want!" My point is, please let's see what actually is on the record and enjoy for what it will be. Is it a double record? Possibly. A single long CD? Great! Full of pop songs? Cool! Are you along for the ride? I HOPE SO. And anyway, if this is the record they want to record, well.......that's what it is going to be! They call the tune and we follow or we can follow Coldplay. Your choice.

I have my personal favourites and I am sure Wilco will challenge me but FUCK is that not what we ride with them to find out where they are going? There's a Coldplay record coming out soon (or at least I hear they are threatening to release something) so perhaps we can worry about what they are doing.......oh honey let's not get carried away......

Actually there are many parallels with my days worshiping at the temple of the Replacements, hoping, wishing, praying they would not be taken away by the gods of suck and WHAT WOULD THEY DO NEXT? Well, actually, actually, they actually did nothing, Wendy, but we all grew up and got old. We all got old and are still marooned on the island of rock and we will NEVER GET OFF. We care a lot. But in this case, they have given so much to us already, let's let them breathe and when the record is actually released, let's enjoy it. Fucksake, it's POP. And Fountains of Wayne has a record coming out TOO! Hope abides.......................................................

Badger all very well said - you are right in the off stage time - think I was confused by a clock outside Archa. I was a bit sorry they had aboout a two meter gap in front of the stage with all the security guys - I am not sure if that was standard practice at Archa and will have to look the next time I go there. I can understand that the issue of photos is distracting to the band but man, in today's world it is nearly impossible to prevent this anymore - I'm not condoning it, more just noting that the genie is out of the bottle and artists are probably going to have to deal with it. REM incorporates phones into the show, for example. In the show on Tuesday I thought the sound was fuzzy on Wilco (the song) and then suddenly came into clear focus on Bull Black, but perhaps my ears just got used to the hall. I talked to the promoter and they managed to get about 700 there in a place that holds officially 1100-1200 so well done boys. I didn't see any tapers anywhere and if anyone knows of one I'd love to hear a recording of any of the show.

The crowd was more than I expected, although I have a feeling that there were a LOT of experienced Wilco people there - how else does one get such a strong singalong on Jesus if one hasn't experienced it? Hard to say. Still I have never heard the band in such great shape. The version of Via Chicago was like flipping a light switch between the noise/melody sections. Incredible chops. Apparently they wanted to come here in 2004 but it didn't happen. But in the end was great to have them here and hope others of their ilk will show up too.

For the obsessed: Here's a link to a report today from Czech state TV with a short clip of Bull Black Nova from last night's show - the headline essentially is a translation of the meaning of ``Wilco'' as a military term - the clip examines their history and describes their importance in ``alternative rock.'' Stirratt also apparently showed up this morning on TV but there isn't a video link yet of the interview.

http://www.ct24.cz/kultura/102623-wilco-poprve-v-cesku-rozumim-a-provedu/

Ok here we go into blathering fandom. An amazing show by my estimation, although I await other comments. First, a setlist as best as I copied it during the show and please apologies for any mistakes:

On 9:15 p.m.

Wilco (the song)

Bull Black Nova

Radio Cure

I am Trying to Break Your Heart

One Wing

you are my face

Shot in the Arm

Muzzle of Bees

Poor Places

Spiders (mostly acoustic)

Impossible Germany

It's Just That Simple ( Stirratt on vocals)

I'll Fight

Via Chicago

For The Season

War on War

Too Far Apart

Jesus Etc.

Handshake Drugs

I'm the Man Who Loves You

On and On

You Never Know

-------

Heavy Metal Drummer

Hate it Here

Walken

Kingpin

KickingTelevision

Off 11:15 p.m.

We got got a "I knew we would love it here" after Jesus Etc in which Jeff opined, "best sing along of the tour." We also got a "I'm being quiet tonight because we are trying to play as much music as possible and I also get in trouble for talking."

Will be cool - I will try and get there early as well to have great spot - the place is small so almost all can see easily even if not up front. I am curious to see if Tweedy pulls out the ``what are you Americans doing in Europe'' schtick that dominated a show in Dresden a few years ago - it ended up irritating a couple of my friends who felt he was unfair to those who were actually helping to make the show a success. Even Nels appeared to give Jeff a withering glare.

Prague still has an expat community obviously but it isn't anything like what was here in the 1990s. If anything there are a lot of students here from various universities having semester abroad. It's much more western and expensive here for people to have a layabout time off drinking beer.

Believe it or not it isn’t that expensive anymore - not to raise hackles here but Lady Gaga sold out at prices that exceed 3,000 koruna a ticket. It really boils down to what people know and like. People know the Gag and are willing to part with enormous sums of cash to see her meat-flavoured suits (ugh) but not Wilco. Chris Isaak was booked here this summer and canceled due to low ticket sales. There are many other groups that would suffer the same fate, I’m afraid. This has nothing to do with Czech tastes, which can be quite exotic and cool - it’s more a matter that there is not a single station in Prague that might have played them until the promoter came along and said, “get busy.” Promotions into this market are extremely strange. I know most of the promoters here and watched some shows become hits when I thought they would be misses (Lionel Ritchie well sold? Go figure) and others duds (The Eagles, barely a third of an arena - Motley Crue barely half.) Even Dylan struggled to sell tickets on last tour and he used to be huge here. Santana is well sold next month, but he’s a proven commodity. Same with Sting tomorrow night here.

So we’ll see. Bottom line, is if you can make it here, please do, bring two friends and as the previous poster said, dig a very intimate show. I just hope the band doesn’t mind that fewer may turn out relative to other cities. I for one am happier than hell not to have to travel to see them this time around and am hoping for the show of the year.

General admission - standing only. Venue takes about 1,200 - I don't want to print here the number of tickets sold as a few weeks ago because it's an old figure but suffice it to say they had not sold well up till then. I've tried to get posters out to various ex-pat places and schools but it's only a small assistance - the real issue is that the Czech market isn't so hip to the charms of Wilco. Tickets are 720 koruna face ($38) and there should be plenty available on line at Ticketpro.cz I think or directly at the box office. My take: do come and bring as many as possible. This is a good sight venue with decent sound and has hosted the likes of David Byrne, Morrissey, Patti Smith and others over the years.

Fun to discuss these issues but a more serious note to get your friends and anyone you know organized to get to this show in Prague. As of recently ticket sales were slow and the promoter is doing their best to sell tickets to a population that really hasn't heard Wilco before. I have to admire the band for getting here - it's a leap of faith a lot of other bands their size don't take because of the risks of trying to open a new market for themselves. It will be a cool show in a great venue but they need people get up and get those tickets.

Ok, the Prague show has been announced locally for Sept. 28 - here's a link. Tickets on sale from Wednesday. Archa is a good club for them - good sight lines. Great vibe there from the people who run it. Saw many acts there, including the White Stripes, Morrissey, Butthole Surfers. Randy Newman and David Byrne have also played there.

Here's a link to the show (in Czech)

http://www.stimul-festival.cz/

So assuming all have seen the e-mail saying the show will be in Prague - schade fur Sie nebo je mi lito - Moravci.

I have bought tickets many times via eventime.de - the shipping is expensive via DHL but it works and if you are obsessed about something it ensures you get what you want, quickly, and without a lot of difficulty. The Prague show, assuming it is actually booked, will likely be available via Ticketstream or Ticketpro and as electronic downloadable tickets.

That's a fair point - the Wilco e-mail only said ``first ever in the Czech Republic'' so I immediately concluded it would be Prague. Brno is an option but I would doubt that they would make probably their only appearance there - no disrespect to the Moravians. As to the American factor, there are still a good number of Americans about but the numbers are greatly reduced from the 1990s period, mostly because the city is now rather expensive for those who might just be bumming about for any extended amount of time and it'd much harder to find a job unless you're really qualified to be a teacher. But I would still expect to see a good gathering of Americans at the show, regardless of where it gets booked. It will be interesting to see what kind of attention Tweedy gives that kind of crowd. At the Dresden show he ribbed some Americans there to the point that Nels gave him a withering look.

Prague in September? I don't know if this was at the band's urging or someone here decided to take a chance on bringing them to this market, but that person is getting my eternal thanks and respect (and free beer if they want it). I finally won't have to traipse all over Europe just to catch Wilco and can proselytize for them here by dragging people to see them. Given that I've never heard them on the radio here, especially on Radio 1, I have no idea how many like-minded people are around for this and it will be interesting to see what venue they book. After years of feast-or-famine live music periods, we may finally be getting a few curveballs in addition to the usual large arena shows (Scorpions last roundup next month) and the super-small up-and-comers from the UK (like the Ting Tings before they got famous). Chris Issak is playing here in June and that's an artist I never expected to see here. Now about those Paul Westerberg, Los Lobos, Phish and Camper Van Beethoven shows they've been talking about for years.............

The Guardian review to me was extremely odd - one minute he was digging them for some nice feedback and the next he's saying that they didn't go further enough. What did he want Nels to do after smashing his guitar into the amps for more feedback - hump the guitar or hit Jeff over the head with it? What in his mind is ``further enough''? About the only thing I can agree on here is that the songs did lost some flourishes most because it was so loud. But that was a small issue when weighed against the rest of the night.