passenger

i wish you could hear henrys voice/vocals louder, i dont know if its the mic or him singing very low

He's right on top of the mic, so it's a mechanical issue. Maybe it's what's being picked up on the stream. I was there for Jeff's show, and you could hear him just fine, so I think it's in the transmission. It's gotten (a little) better as the performance proceeds.

After this I looked to my wife and raised my eyebrows as to insinuate her morning breath and very sleepy kisses. She then slapped me in the chest hard enough that Jeff said "Wow". I told him I have bad morning breath, thinking I was making a funny and he would chuckle. No such luck. He just looked at me and said, "Um....thanks for sharing that."

That has to go down as one of the classic moments of LRS history. Did she leave a bruise?

What a show. Still recovering. The entire set was great, and Jeff seemed to enjoy himself. Yes, as Blossom said, I was honored to shake the dust off the Duff F-5 mandolin on "New Madrid," and to join Jeff on the "everyone's a fan tonight" trip down Memory Lane shout-out to all those fans who could not be present, "Wish You Were Here." I think we were fairly convinced beforehand that there was not a snowball's chance in Hades that Jeff would actually play it. But as a closer, it had sort of a Heavy Metal Drummer-esque, nostalgic feel to it, with a tinge of sad realization that this incredible show would soon be ending. Call it a guilty pleasure, junk food dessert, after a gourmet meal.

 

Karen played a Gibson J-45 on California Stars and also the harmonica (on her very own personal rack that I think she lent to Jeff for a song when his blew out before "She's A Jar" - hang onto that rack, Karen!) And Hill played the guitar and some lead with Jeff on a song early on, as the first to play (he was brave!)

 

Kudos to Wendy, Maureen and Erik, Warner, and the Tweedys, and all the other terrific folks in attendance that made this show so special.

Great performances by everyone!!! I did not realize this group had so much closet talent. Karen was stressing to me in the kitchen before the show and I told her: (1) Jeff is incredibly gracious and not the least bit intimidating; (2) after the first two chords, everything you do will be perfect; (3) nothing will go the way you planned it, so don't even expect that; and (4) [as Jeff actually advised Kevin], get it out of the way early, becasue you will enjoy the show so much more

Jeff used Karen's harmonica rack because his guitar tech had apparently vice-gripped one end of his with pliars at a wierd angle, so he handed it to me and said: "You're strong, Ken.... We're all watching." When it was apparent that Hercules couldn't remedy the problem bare handed, Karen said: "I've got a rack!" which drew a huge laugh from the audience.

So what is a sleepy kisser anyway?

That really was the question of the evening.

So good to see so many of my pals! Edie and Wendy David and Anna are about my favorite people in the whole world and it was so good to see you after a year of absence and I promise I will play my steel guitar for you before I die. Maureen came to our show last year, but it was so good to meet Erik and see your lovely home. Too many people to thank, not the least of which being Sue and Jeff who did a remarkable show after recording all day (although I was a little miffed he wouldn't give us a hint of what they were doing after two requests ) Oh well....

My fiancé! Kathy for saying “yes” to my marriage proposal after Jeff was gracious to dedicate and play “Somebody, Some Morning, Some Time” for us.

I was sitting immediately next to Kathy. After the song finished, Matt started to kneel and I said to myself: "Holy Shit, he's going to propose to her; I'd better get out of here FAST" (as the flashbulbs began to pop). I retreated back to Sue and Mark by the pinball machine and waited until I was sure I wouldn't spoil their perfect moment with pictures of my ugly mug in the background.

have any of the other Wilcos sat in on one of these?

In 2002, a group from the Old Town School played the after party for the premier of "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart" at The Hideout in Chicago and the entire band (of what was then Wilco) joined us for a set. Apart from that, I am not aware of any other instance when another band member joined Jeff in playing with mere mortals.

These LRS shows are something Jeff does (or did) for a charity sponsored by one of Sue's friends. It probably wouldn't be fair to drag in another band member. They are aware that he does them, though. One year, on the date that Jeff was doing the Winnetka show, Glen and Pat were at an OTS concert and ran into some Wilco Ensemble members, and they knew that the W.E. show was going to be later in the year. They happily volunteered a bunch of song suggestions that they thought Jeff would hate doing.

The "problem" is that Jeff is very relaxed and candid during these shows. I guess that's why people pay what they do to be entertained by one. Accordingly, he says a lot of things (like commentary about various artists or political themes) that might be "misconstrued" or otherwise used against him. You should see the looks that Sue sometimes gives him during these things Anyway, if somebody ever released a completely edited version that consisted only of the performance, I doubt he'd care, but the "formal" deal with him is that the recorded version is only to be distributed to those in attendance. Sorry.

Brokedown Palace

 

I need to hear this!!!

A lot of people in the Wilco Ensemble also participate from time to time in the Grateful Dead Ensemble at the Old Town School. We picked this song because it segues directly from "Ripple" on the American Beauty album (and also because it has pedal steel, and is just generally an incredibly beautiful song). The instructor from the G.D. Ensemble (who is good friends with the Tweedys) was there and did the lead vocal, but Jeff sang harmonies and handled all the chord changes. He was clearly familiar with the song.

Jeff said that "Grateful Dead fans are the reason why Wilco fills stadiums." He also said that Bob Weir is "the biggest Wilco fan." Apparently, the two keep in touch regularly.

No worries Ken Looks like a rockin' time was had by all. And with Spencer! Maybe he and Sammy will keep up the LRS tradition

Jeff said (I don't know if he was kidding) that Spencer would do next year's auction. I told Sue that Spencer should pick 30 songs, we'd learn them, then go over to their house and do the show.

I'd never spent any significant time with Spencer before, but he is the most well-mannered, articulate, and talented 14-year old I have ever met. I loved his banter with Jeff. Examples:

Ken: "Jeff, do you want another guitar stand?"

Jeff: "Sure, if you've got one."

Spencer: "You're a stand hog."

Jeff (explaining why he brought the particuar axes of the evening): "All my other guitars are on their way to Finland."

Spencer: "What do you mean, 'all your other guitars'?"

At one point, right before they started a set, Jeff called out: "Spencer, could you please get me a Diet Coke?" Then he turned it into a joke: "Son... go fetch me a Diet Coke!" and segued into a story about how his dad used to have him bring beer. Someone got a D.C. and passed it to Spencer, who carried it up to Jeff and, just before giving it to him, shook it violently. As he walked away he said: "I learned that from you!"

Was The Last Time the Stones song?

Yeah.

Here's the setlist:

Cissy Strut

Say You Miss Me

The Long Cut

The Late Greats (Kicking Television version)

Sonny Feeling

One By One

Sin City

Wheels

Country Disappeared

At My Window Sad And Lonely

Remember The Mountain Bed

What's The World Got In Store

Sky Blue Sky

Ripple

Brokedown Palace

Give Back The Key To My Heart

Happy Birthday (a capella, for Aimee, Andrew and Amy)

Joe DiMaggio Done It Again

Simple Twist Of Fate

Fatal Wound

Poor Places

Hell Is Chrome

Handshake Drugs

You & I

Lost Love

Can't Keep From Talking

Magazine Called Sunset

Misunderstood

Gun

The Last Time

All played with some combination of students from the Old Town School of Folk Music

Jeff & Sue brought Spencer who played drums on Cissy Strut, Simple Twist Of Fate, Hell Is Chrome, Handshake Drugs and The Last Time

I'm sure pictures will be posted soon.

I'd like to apologize to the people on this forum whom I had to disappoint (you know who you are). We had a huge number of people last year, and Sue wasn't happy about it, so this year we had to watch the numbers closely. It was pretty much just performers and their significant others.

If you want to propose to your girlfriend and have Jeff Tweedy serenade you, go the the Letters For Santa Auction at Second City in Chicago in December. He did exactly that for a couple two years ago. I forget what song he played, but the cost was $500 donated to the charity.

If they do win they should send one of Jeff's kids up to accept. Now that would be cool.

If I'd known there was going to be a 4th group, I wouln't have pitched in $5K for one verse of "Sin City"

IMHO, this has nothing to do with Wilco. This event is something Sue does for her friend Heather, and even though it's the biggest dollar draw by far for the event, it's a real pain for Jeff to manage with all his other commitments. He went from doing one show the first year to three the next couple to four last year and back to three this year. OK if you've got nothing better to do, but with all his touring and recording, it's just too much. I suspect that in the future there will be a "private" auction. Sue knows who sponsors these things. I believe she will arrange for an "appropriate" contribution from one (maybe more) group(s) for an LRS and that way Heather can get an "effective" amount to finance her gracious, selfless and commendable activities and Jeff can show up for the event and devote the two hours of time he contributes to the ancillary promotions for the event, but doesn't have to commit himself to three or four weekends a year away from his family. Again, nothing to do with Wilco, to whom he seems totally devoted and with whom he would probably rather be spending more of his artistic time.

This video of "I'm Always In Love" appears on YouTube. Not sure if it is an "official" video, but it appears to have been recorded at The Loft, which would give it an element of credibility

The band had a blast too! we played and sang Wilco tunes with the crowd from 9:30 or so until around 1 a.m. Good times. And nice singing Dude!

Dude Done It Twice!!! I heard both from the audience and they were most excellent

Those of you into country music (I mean REAL country music; not Shania Twain B.S.) need to check out the California Clipper http://www.californiaclipper.com/ Also Fitzgeralds http://www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com/ and The Empty Bottle http://www.emptybottle.com/home.php metioned in Louie's oringinal posts have great country acts from time to time. Check out "Hard Country Happy Hour" 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. at the Empty Bottle with the Hoyle Brothers, probably the best Honky Tonk band in Chicago.

Hey, when are you guys going to post some pictures? I know you're new to this, but that's the custom

Any player worth his weight will know when to hold back, or to chuck on tons of effects and give the song atmosphere.

There's a cool trick I ripped off from Rusty Young of Poco. Take a pedal steel, run it through a Cry Baby on full blast, and then through a Leslie-type pedal (or a Leslie speaker, if you can stand to carry it around) Sounds just like a Hammond B-3.

For me any half ass song that features a pedal steel becomes worth listening to.

The thing is, any time you have such an overpowering instrument, it's mostly about the notes you don't play.

Amen. People always want me to play more. I always want to play less.

I just read an interview with Garcia last week. He said he gave up the pedal steel because he wasn't good enough at it, and trying to get good enough was damaging his guitar playing ability, so he chose to devote himself to the guitar.

This is true. Referenced in the book "Garcia" by Blair Jackson in 1999. I was just kidding about his drug habit

I'll throw in a vote for David Lindley's playing on Running on Empty. (or is that a lap steel?)

"In '69 I was 21 and I called the road my own"

It is a non-pedal guitar standing on legs (called an "electric ironing board"). I think a Fender double or triple neck guitar.

It's possible they might have crossed paths with Cage for the first time on the Festival Express Tour in Summer 1970.

 

I'm drawing a blank here - wasn't the steel work on Cucamonga one of the Nitty Gritty folks?

It was on Festival Express. If you've ever seen the movie, there's a cool part with Garcia jamming with Cage.

John McFee (at the time with Huey Lewis' band Clover, later with the Doobie Bros.) played steel on Cucamonga

On this topic, I should mention that Jeff said that Nels just bought an old MSA pedal steel. These things were built in the early 70's and weigh a TON, but the good ones have really cool tone, so I'm looking forward to watching him play that.