LouieB

Chicago Blues Fest, if it doesn't get too wet. LouieB

I didn't read the Mould or Hell books so I don't know what they said about their contemporaries. I am sure they did hobnob with interesting people, but maybe they couldn't put that across. Miles autobiography is a great read, if not entirely trustworthy, which doesn't mean the shit he has to say (mean or otherwise) isn't fun to read. LouieB

Glad to hear BOTT is finally getting out as Bootleg Series. A friend gave me a couple CDs which I ripped into my computer from the 80s and that stuff is amazing too. I am sure it will also come out within the next couple years. Now that they have cleared the vaults of the Basement Tapes I am sure they will clear the other sessions as well. Who knew this would actually happen? There is still plenty of stuff to release so maybe it will all get out in Bob's lifetime. LouieB

The NY Times obit was really well done. The article in the Trib this AM was pretty good. I guess the two times I saw Ornette were the final two times he played in Chicago. I actually don't remember him playing here when he was younger. Both shows were quite good (his son on drums). LouieB

The outtakes from BOTT should be due for the Bootleg series. Some of the alternate versions are stunning. But only Dylan knows if that is the next thing out of the vaults. When you realize he cleared the Basement Tapes with all the crap attached to it (bad sound, half finished songs, insanely bad covers, et. al.) then there should be room for not only BOTT, but also the outtakes from Infidels as well. Those are also quite good. LouieB

YoYo La Tengo. Perfect. LouieB

I won't be there but NRBQ is staffed by two Chicago music scene regulars (not original members however) Casey McDonough and Scott Ligon. Charles Lloyd is amazing. Have fun guys. LouieB

To everyone else- It is a special day when people like what I say here. My listening to music in general has slowed down, but my buying music has picked up. That's a huge contradiction I know, but I know have money to buy whatever I want (within reason) and so I get a lot of things I may never listen to. (Look for it on the curb when I croak.) I must say there are times (as Calvino aka Bob) has said that I buy something brand new and then never listen to it again. Just as an example I was excited to get an LP version of the first Johnny Marr solo record (paid plenty for it) and was rea

To Thinmyheart. I am way older than you and sell LPs at Pitchfork so come find me in the record tent. 39 is not so old for P4k but you will be somewhat older than most people, but not ancient. If you are expecting to be upfront for Wilco, take a bunch of people with you so you can hold down your spot and drink lots and lots of water while you wait. It can be very hot out on the baseball diamonds and the crowds are intense. They do give water to the front rows though if it is hot. There are some jumbo-trons so you an at least see the act from further back. This will be a good year I

Did I mention I saw YoYo Ma last night? That dude can play some shit..... LouieB

Sadly I did not. But I am curious about that as well. LouieB

Saw Ornette a few times, but only in more recent years. To say this is the end of an era is an understatement, but luckily Ornette left many acolytes. LouieB

Nice. Really looking forward to this one. LouieB

Let's be honest, what exactly do Bob Mould or Richard Hell have to say for themselves, or any number of middle level musicians? (Or even Kim Gordon, but at least she was a female musician at a time when there weren't so many.) Just because they were in interesting and maybe even seminal bands does not mean they have much to tell us about their lives. Someone has to have been a real ground breaker, or hobnobbed with some pretty interesting people to sustain any interest over the course of a book. in some cases musicians flat out lie about shit just to make their lives more interesting (which

I'm like Cold, my interest is now in older music to be sure, although I like plenty of new music. But keeping up with everything is nearly impossible and at my age unrealistic. A lot of new music sounds like sludge to me, little emphasis on words or melody, with layer upon layer of sound to mask whatever is going on. It might work for someone, but doesn't for me. Give me a handful of folks playing real instruments anytime or a nice straight forward soul or folk tune. My love of music has not declined at all, or maybe my interest in buying records has just increased. LouieB

There are some excellent (or at least interesting) books about record labels. One I recommend is "Spinning Blues Into Gold" about Chess Records. LouieB

Interesting comment about "evidence" of Jeff's production. I have nearly all the records he has produced in the last few years and aside from his playing and his choice of session people, I am curious what you mean by that. What should I be listening for that is evidence of his production. Seriously curious about this. LouieB

I need to read the Joe Strummer book. This is a totally different thing (but then I am pretty different); I just finished "Bessie" by Chris Albertson, about Bessie Smith. It is a relative short, although comprehensive, book on her life and work which is a great read and very illuminating. Smith was a pioneer American musician and her life, sexuality, and behavior would put most rock stars to shame. It also includes some illuminating information about the music industry of the time as well as conditions in the theaters for artists of color in the early 20th century. LouieB

Okay I'll bite. I don't travel much to see Wilco/Tweedy so the furthest I have gone is from Chicago to Ashville NC or maybe the North Hampton/Pines gig. Didn't Google map it. The shortest was to see Jeff and Jay Bennett play the Folk and Roots Fest in Wells Park, which is maybe 1.5 or 2 miles from my house. LouieB

Graham Parker and the Rumour last night. LouieB

I am going to miss John Stewart. His replacement will never be able to do what he can do. My prediction is that he will re-surface in a year or so on a bigger network (possibly cable) doing basically the same show for a whole bunch more money. LouieB

Agreed. I got to see them up close at the second Chicago show. it would be fun to see them again, but not if they aren't into it. LouieB

Weird collection of songs. LouieB

Why out him? He has no chance to become President anyway. If he is closeted, leave him there. What is funnier than shit (since shit isn't really funny) is anyone thinking they know what to do about ISIS. No one really knows. it is kind of beyond our control, sadly. LouieB

I'm going to guess you can get in. Even the most recent solo show did not sell out and Jeff is not singing at this. Sounds like a fun time. LouieB