Queen Amaranthine

Do it! Natalie (St. Genevive from VC long ago) wrote some great short stories inspired by Wilco songs.

Agree about the body language. Jeff still comes across as friendly and personable despite any nervousness. I'll refrain from criticism of his hair--it suits him somehow. The interviewer asked great questions and it was a good conversation. Interesting about the whirr of hard drives opening Art of Almost, and the meaning the band was getting across with it about data and communication. Numbness in the fingers and hand sounds like carpal tunnel or the like? Time for a chiropractor? That would be painful, especially when needing to play guitar for long spells night after night.

Maybe I need to revisit my Beatles eras.

So true. In the latest album in particular, "Sunloathe" has some distinctly Beatlesque sounds, Strawberry Fields-era, maybe?

I started to watch that show when it first came out and loved it, but family and work at that time went through a surge of hyper-overload, so something had to give because there just are not enough hours in a day (there still aren't, but I need some kind of entertainment outlet for my sanity! This place is one thing fits that need quite well). Sometime I want to get Fringe on DVD or whatever the technology is by the time I find time to do that, and watch the whole series. X-Files and Lost are my two all-time favorite shows.

I remember reading in a thread about Jeff's banter during a solo show soon after the band's first Grammy nomination. He was dissing the whole award thing and declared that he wasn't going to go on Grammy night. His mom was in the audience and said audibly, "oh yes you are!" I remember that because it's such a mom thing to say! It's kind of too bad they didn't win last night, but ultimately it doesn't matter. This is a band whose fans operate on their own unique criteria, and such dedication might be an award in itself.

Oh no, do I need another obsession? ;-) Maybe I will listen to that one sometime.

I too like classical, particularly Romantic era, but throw in vocals and no thanks. I don't get Bob Dylan (I know, I know! I should) or country music as a whole, although strangely I like a few bands, Wilco included of course, that grew from country. I can't pinpoint where/how that happens. Am I supposed to get Lynard Skynard? I don't.

That expresses my thoughts exactly (with or without the last word there, depending on who I'm addressing, maybe). I live in a state that legalized gay marriage a couple of years ago, and I'm failing to see how it's "destroying society" or whatever the counterarguments are. If there's a need to "protect the institution of family" or however it's put, how about offering more safe houses for domestic violence cases? Or educating the general public on avoiding or getting out of abusive relationships? Or about how to be a good spouse/fiance/boyfriend/girlfriend in general? Or being nice to your o

That nervousness and introversion are two of his endearing qualities, to me. That lack of linear thought process might be a recursive thought process in action, connecting ideas here and there in a way that make sense as he's thinking something through. Writing can be very much that way, so that might be how he writes songs as well, connecting ideas here and there until they fall into place. I remember reading an interview quite awhile ago with Jeff saying that when he was in rehab, a doctor or counselor noticed that his anxiety lessened when he had his guitar. Even on stage he seems much mo

My husband watched part of a Rolling Stones concert in HD and way too loud today. Now THERE are your elder statesmen.

I didn't catch that before, so I went back and watched it. Insightful comments there about creativity. Loved the little laugh from Jeff after saying that it's possible to explore what's in your creative mind without being afraid you won't come back. Also liked Pat's comment about a sort of ESP in working together; you do sense that level of chemistry in this lineup.

Thanks for posting that link. I'm listening/watching as I type. Very nice! I'd forgotten how amazing Poor Places is live. Beautiful performance of Black Moon. Far Far Away is, most moments, my favorite Wilco song, so excellent to hear it here.

Yes, make it into a series! I became an instant fan in April 2002 (and a LOT has changed in my life over the years), so it would be fun to read these. There's something to be said for not cleaning out your inbox or archives often.

The no-phone use and lack of dancing is an interesting connection. Maybe it's my age, or maybe as a rural Iowan I am soooo not a hipster, but I feel the opposite. When I saw Wilco in December for the first time in several years, I happily put away my phone on vibrate (only in case there was an emergency at home) and was thrilled to just be in the moment. It was wonderful to absorb the "being (right) there" of the music and vibe. In our busy lives with so many distractions and demands on our time, do we really get to do that very often? Maybe there needs to be a grass-roots campaign for so

I love his voice on them all, but the other day I was listening to SBS and was thinking how beautifully smooth and rich his voice sounds on recent albums. Does anyone notice an accent too? On the occasions I listen to Uncle Tupelo, I can hear what I think of as mid-Midwestern accent, something I hear a lot where I live. I can't think of an example of a pronunciation offhand but will think about it and see if I can add one soon. It's not as pronounced in A.M. (about the time he moved to Chicago, right?). Plus, I have a boot of a solo show in Chicago 2005, and during banter he says something

(There would have been many more of these, but the number of smileys one can post is limited!) Where's the Wilco spinach birthday cake? Thanks for all the wonderful Wilcoy stuff you do, Donna!

Fun, creative video! The Washington Post article linked above says it was hand-drawn, which is very cool too. Computer-generated stuff is great, and technology is fantastic, but there is still something powerful to be said for cartoons, art, etc. done by hand. Make mine fresh. I thought about starting a thread in ELT for recipies including spinach because I have a couple of good ones, but my internal "obsession control" button is making me think twice! Someone else can run with that idea if desired.

LOL at the reply about kids on fire lyric! 1st and last sentences there, particularly. I like Capitol City a lot. It fits well in TWL, and I can't picture it blending into any past albums. The timing was right for it, after all those years.

Wilco AND Conan!

Adopting a pet is wonderful! My mother-in-law got her dog from our local shelter, and he's been the best companion she could ask for. That reminds me that I ought to get back into the habit of donating to my local shelter like I used to regularly.

I enjoy reading about everyone's pets, and what cute pictures there are here! We got two red ear slider turtles the other day and they've been loads of entertainment. Very pretty markings too, on their shells and heads. The kids are very good with them, making sure they are fed and handling them gently. I'm raising zoologists, I think! It's surprising how lively they are. I was expecting turtles to just sit there and, when they did bother to move, to move at a snail's pace, like a tortoise. On the occasions we take them out of the tank, though, they can scoot along, surprisingly spry. Also

I could go on and ON about the idea of society dumbing down. I need to curb the length of my commentary! In short, in some ways I agree and others I don't. For the record, I don't see velcro as a problem, but rather as an efficient use of materials. Digital devices have changed so much about our society and our individual thought process, for better and worse. We are all so overwhelmed with choices and demands on our time. It shortens our attention spans. I notice this in myself and other adults, not just kids. I don't know if it's diluting our intellect as much as it is overwhelming us. N

That reminds me of the hamster I had when I was 8, who had babies shortly after I got her. She escaped from her cage shortly after giving birth. She didn't return and we couldn't find her anywhere and were worried about the young. In the meantime, my mom helped me use a medicine dropper to feed the babies warm milk, which was probably stupid to do in the first place. Soon we found the hamster and put her back in the cage, where she promptly ate her young. I was horrified. Cannibalism aside, mice do sounds like good pets and we might look into that! Adorable dog picture above! Love the nam

My kids like this song too. It's been awhile since Wiggleworm Dads has been in rotation in the car, so it's time for another listen. Another song on that CD my kids like is the one about Esme the Deer with No Idea (or something like that), where Jeff asks kids for input to write a song on the spot. My kids like to sing and make up songs and I wonder if that inspired them.