jw harding

I was there. It was an outstanding weekend, far exceeded expectations. I was really hoping they wouldn't do Exile, as they only have one guitar player in the band, and vocals are not a strong suit for the phish. But, with the addition of horns and backup singers, courtesy of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, they nailed it. Particularly Ventilator Blues>Just Want to See His Face>Let it Loose was outstanding. Things got really weird during Just Want to See His Face, repeating the phrase "let this music, relax your mind," very psychedelic. Shine a Light was beautiful as well.

The whole weekend was amazing: the weather, setting in Indio, music, people, partying, vibe, camping, hotels nearby, art installations, costumes, food, etc. Phish and their fans really knows how to throw a party. By far the best music fest I've ever been to, and I've been to a lot, including some in Europe.

I can understand why some people don't like the music, I don't like some of it myself. While the hardcore fans are amusing, they're also harmless and happy people generally. But anyone who gets bent out of shape by the band or their fans just sucks at life.

All that being said, I'm glad they didn't play YHF, as they couldn't have pulled off the vocals.

Hope they return to Indio next year for Meddle. Or Kid A. Or Zep. Or Hendrix.

And hope Wilco gets back to SD before their next record comes out...

A few similarities I've noticed between Dead/Wilco:

On live versions of Ashes in the Nels era, the outro jam is very similar to outro jam of Stella Blue, particularly the more intense versions circa '78.

You are My Face mines some of the similar folk/prog territory as Terrapin Station, although much more concisely.

The rootsy/Americana stuff has obvious similarities to the songs and sensibilities of Workingmans/American Beauty era stuff.

Overall I don't think Wilco sound much like the Dead, but they make me feel similar.

I just wish I knew if they were doing a San Diego show on 6/24 or 6/25. It's really holding up my summer travel plans.

WILCO, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME! AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The little girl that helped Jeff sing Hummingbird is Lilac Rain.

"Lilac rain, unbroken chain, song of the sawhet owl.

Out on the mountain, itll drive you insane, listening to the winds howl"

I wonder if she knows her parents are hippies? Cool name, better than naming your kid Stella Blue or Bertha, for sure.

Music Today is a terrible company. They routinely send out goods late, damaged, and often send the wrong stuff. You order a dvd, they'll send you some random cd instead. Then, since you opened it they won't give you a refund. Whoops. A friend ordered some concert tix once. They sent him the wrong seats, much worse than the ones he paid for. They wouldn't refund his money, give him a discount, or improve his seats. Nothing. The company stinks. Avoid ordering from them at all costs. Sux for bands like Wilco, but its just not worth the hassle.

This could be good news...

 

 

edit: So Speaking of San Diego, where do you think they should play? Or rather, where would you like to see them play?

 

I didn't make it to OAT last time, how was that? I hope it's not House of Blues!

 

Best case scenario: Spreckles!!!

Saw Tweedy at Spreckles, but think Wilco would be better at OAT, especially in the summer time. I'll never go see another show at House of Blues, they treat their paying customers like cattle.

Anyone got any rumors on a San Diego show before or after the Wiltern shows? I'd prefer rumors that turn out to be true, but will take what I can get. Thanks.

From a failed topic I started the other day:

http://forums.viachicago.org/index.php?showtopic=33621

>Although I can't be at any of the residency shows, I would like to offer the following suggestion.

On the final night, it would be great if there were an organized way for the audience to thank the band.

At the conclusion of the Grateful Dead's run of shows back in 1980 at Radio City Music Hall legendary promoter Bill Graham placed a bottle of champagne and glasses onstage during the encore break, and distributed glasses of champagne to EVERYONE in the audience, who then toasted the band when they returned to the stage. A legendary story, that is now a beautiful part of the history of the Dead.

Could something similar be concocted for the conclusion of this run? If not the above, then what? Maybe someone could distribute fliers on the final night alerting everyone to do something together?

I was just up in L.A., and ended up discussing Wilco with someone I'd never met before. He said to me "YHF is the definitive record of my music listening generation." Funny, as I've said the same thing several years before. Who else has? It's our Revolver, Blood on the Tracks, Exile, Dark Side, etc., and Tweedy is our Lennon, Dylan, Young.

!VIVA EL WILCO!

Although I can't be at any of the residency shows, I would like to offer the following suggestion.

On the final night, it would be great if there were an organized way for the audience to thank the band.

At the conclusion of the Grateful Dead's run of shows back in 1980 at Radio City Music Hall legendary promoter Bill Graham placed a bottle of champagne and glasses onstage during the encore break, and distributed glasses of champagne to EVERYONE in the audience, who then toasted the band when they returned to the stage. A legendary story, that is now a beautiful part of the history of the Dead.

Could something similar be concocted for the conclusion of this run? If not the above, then what? Maybe someone could distribute fliers on the final night alerting everyone to do something together?

I was just up in L.A., and ended up discussing Wilco with someone I'd never met before. He said to me "YHF is the definitive record of my music listening generation." Funny, as I've said the same thing several years before. Who else has? It's our Revolver, Blood on the Tracks, Exile, Dark Side, etc., and Tweedy is our Lennon, Dylan, Young.

!VIVA EL WILCO!

Box of Rain just came up on the old ipod shuffle. What a great song that would be for Wilco to cover. Fits in perfectly with the Sky Blue Sky vein - lyrically, musically, melodically, harmonically. Pure American beauty/reality, if you will. The depth and directness/abstractness of the lyrics is right up Jeff's alley. I can just imagine Nels on the lap steel (if not pedal). He did list Jerry as one of his "200 favorite guitarists of all time" ya know:

http://www.nelscline.com/top200.html

Turns out Rolling Stone was just a few years late in figuring it out:

America's next Sonic Youth have now become our new Grateful Dead.

If I ever see anything kinder than this my pupils will explode. Turn on your lava lamp, take a ganja goo ball out of the oven, douse yourself in patchouli, and get ready to freak out.

I miss Tweedy's glasses. He's like the lost brother from the Proclaimers.

Phil's tie-dye is so dank its painful to look at. He's really lost without a bass, check out the weird hand gestures throughout. Why is Leroy playing bass? Weird stuff.

Now if only they'd cover Terrapin Station...

A few thoughts about this excellent show.

I don't know if Jeff's mic was off or just really low at the beginning of Side with the Seeds. I could hear him singing , and the whole band seemed pretty quite. I was about 15 rows back, and yelled "turn it up." I think they heard me.

Loved hearing all the new stuff, even better live. Sky Blue Sky is the one song that fell kind of flat. Nice sentiment in that one, but nothing special.

Nels Cline is crazy. Contorting himself and bouncing around like he's on a pogo stick. My buddy said he's like a Dr. Seuss character, with his short pants, striped socks, and general goofiness. Streching out his giant fingers to form never before played chords. He's the ultimate improviser. He has no idea where his solos are going, he just rips it up, and even when he hits what may seem to be a wrong note, he makes it fit in by what follows, if that makes sense. Impossible Germany was his improv highlight.

Nels, and all the band, seem to be getting more and more comfortable and having more fun on stage. Overall stage presence has greatly improved. Fun to see Pat's cheesy exagerrated rock star poses, throwing the tambourine, etc.

Too Far Apart was wicked - rocking tune, never seen it live. Hope they keep playing it.

I was excited to hear Kamera, hadn't seen it performed live in a few years. Unfortunately it kind of fell flat for me, didn't go anywhere. The arrangement has potential, seemed to be going in a Talking Heads direction, but not fully realized yet.

On the other hand, Jesus etc. was much improved live. Loved the album version, didn't think they could ever pull it off live, but this one did it. Nels was excellent on the lap steel.

Via Chicago was the highlight of the night. Mindblowing. It exhibited 2 things Wilco are masters at: going from quiet and beautiful to loud and chaotic and back in an instant, and how 3 members hold down the main theme of the song while the other 3 go bonkers over the top of it.

Jeff had some great solos in ITMWLY and Spiders, ripping it up Neil Young style.

Best audience hand clapping ever experienced at a concert, in Late Greats and Spiders, even though it fell apart a bit in Spiders. Great banter from Jeff during Spiders. I usually don't care for Late Greats much, but this one was awesome. They could do no wrong!

Great setting to see them in, outdoor pavillion at night. Full moon shining, maybe thats why Nels got so weird. Last 2 times I'd seen them had not been ideal - Lollapalooza last summer, and a bland conference room in La Jolla in May 05. The lights were awesome in this setting.

Overall just amazed that this band keeps getting better and better. First saw them in 1998, and they blew my mind then, and continue to grow, change, and amaze. Can't wait to see what's next!

Not sure if people are aware of this, but the SD show will be broadcast live. You can listen here:

http://fm949sd.com/home/index.cfm

Great radio station. The dj's will be interviewing band members before the show, so tune in early. I heard them interview Wayne from the Flaming Lips on Saturday, and Jim from MMJ a while back, and they do a great job.