Blossom

Went to the fest with my wife and three children. Wife and I had camped at the fest 4-5 times going back twenty years. Really special to see Tweedy there as he is one of our favorites. Mountain Bed was very moving and everyone enjoyed the set. Memorable interaction between my youngest son, Brain (5) and Jeff after So Much Wine. Jeff talking about the dunk tank at Solid Sound and Brian yells out of nowhere..."You broke your foot". We are in the front row and Jeff says, "what did you say?" Brian is shocked that Tweedy is talking to him and wont repeat himself, so I say it for him. Jeff says "I broke my foot? No wonder he is embarassed." Everyone laughs and at this point Brian begins to cry thinking that everyone is laughing at him. Jeff trys to console after Hummingbird and tells him something like, "it's OK little boy you're at a Folk Festival having a good time with your family and everyoneone here loves you, life is good" Crowd goes crazy particularly those around us. He even offers to play a song for Brain and closes the set with Shot in the Arm as per Brain's request. Wound up getting to meet Jeff after the show and as my oldest son and daugher approch him Jeff says to them "is your brother OK?" He apologizes to me, very gracious, and I assure him that all is well. We laugh a bit, get some autographs and pictures, and I thank him for all of the music. Would love to get a copy of the recording, anyone?

What a sweet story! Not surprised Jeff would want to make sure that little guy didn't feel "Misunderstood."

Yeah, this probably would have gone over a lot better in our group.

yeah and honestly i'd be very happy for you all...nothing wrong with spreading the love a little...

its only a dream for me. you all are so lucky.

If it's any consolation, hazel, I don't think the 'being lucky' part was lost on a single soul that night. I hope you get it too someday! I mean that most sincerely!

I'm pretty sure we would have noticed if Jeff had teeny feet by now.

 

And I guess I'm not helping you stop shopping, but there are men's sizes. Click here. These are some crazy socks!

You guys are making me majorly LOL regarding the sox...

I mentioned to Jeff when we were done playing the song that my 2 yr old son and I sing it every night before bed. Jeff said that was sweet and that it's a pretty heavy song. I think someone from the crowd yelled out that it's a depressing song, and Jeff disagreed. He then told the story of how his son came home from school soon after 9/11 and said that he had learned in school that "everything is capable of being destroyed." Jeff asked him if he thought that was a good thing or a bad thing. His son said that he thought it was a good thing, because if not, "bad things would go on forever."

 

Given the reason I chose to play that song (the connection I've formed with my son and the song), and given my connection to 9/11 (I used to work in those "buildings built to the sky"), it was a pretty emotional moment for me.

Oh Matt, wow! That's a great song to use as a bedtime-type prayer. Wonderful. Thank you for recapping...that's exactly how I remembered it. And thanks for telling us about your full connection to that song and working in the Twin Towers, etc. I'd like to post the lyrics to that tune for you, Matt, for you and the fam:

Everything alive must die

Every building built to the sky will fall

Don�t try to tell me my

Everlasting love is a lie

Everlasting everything

Oh nothing could mean anything at all

Every wave that hits the shore

Every book that I adore

Gone like a circus, gone like a troubadour

Everlasting love for ever more

Oh I know this might sound sad

But everything goes both good and the bad

It all adds up and you should be glad

Everlasting love is all you have

He threw San Francisco out there.

And we were like, "NooOOOOooooo...." Don't think anybody in our group came from there...HA!

One thing that was very sweeet was Jeff shared a comment his son made about 9/11 -- his Mom came to get him at school that day -- it came up in the context of "Everlasting Everything" and sort of the spiritual nature of those lyrics...Does anyone remember exactly what his son said? If nobody does I can try winging it from my memory, but I have a feeling one of you can recall it verbatim

Also, Jeff said something about not giving a sh*t about his music being called "Dad Rock" or whatever -- he wouldn't trade the experience of his wife & kids in his life for anything!

Well, that's pretty much the SnS show. The second year we had a big sound setup, but subsequently didn't think it worked as well with our show's vibe. Last year, due to a variety of factors, we had no mikes or anything. Voice strain can be a concern - I think it's been raised before, and the last thing anybody wants to do is cause a problem for Jeff - but it seemed to work out okay. There are obviously lots of benefits to having a quality sound setup, both for performer and audience.

 

I also wanted to ask which songs (besides "She's a Jar") included other people accompanying Jeff? Being able to do that is so cool.

My brother who bought a ticket and flew in from Philadelphia area accompanied Jeff on "New Madrid" on mandolin. And he also played guitar w/Jeff on "Wish You Were Here." Another female guest played guitar & harmonica and sang with Jeff to "California Stars." I'll let others chime in on the other 2 who played (besides Dude). It was a nice balance of some crowd participation but not too much. There was definitely some singing along and, yes, whistling!

Hey, Maureen here. Would just like to say BIG THANKS again to all who came and supported this worthy charity. It's wonderful and generous of The Tweedys to give of their time this way. And a special thanks to Wendy, whose work begins even before the auction and goes continuously up to Show time...THANK YOU! We loved hosting (ours was the fun job!). An amazing evening was had by all...It came and went so quickly -- kind of hard to believe it's over. The music was just fabulous, really, I can't think of anything I would have wanted to happen differently. Such a fantastic group of dedicated fans. Warner worked tirelessly setting up that sound system, big thanks to him for his expertise and hard work. A truly magical evening!

I absolutely loved the show! I've seen Wilco quite a bit over the years...But I have to say the show was getting a little "formulaic" for me at times...I was thrilled to see them busting out a lot more, trying some new things. Felt like it was way more jammy & experimental than ever before. Hope that doesn't sound like a negative criticism, it is surely not as I have loved all the shows I've been to. It just feels like the band is at a whole new level. I like it when songs are not played exactly the way they sound on the album...So for example "Hate it Here" was done very creatively and the band breathed a whole different vibe into it...So I was TOTALLY 100% absolutely thrilled & stoked at the UIC Pavilion Night #1 show. I'm not sure why people are saying Night #2's set list was so much better...Whatever! I think they both rocked major ass! Over and out, Blossom

Hey you guys! I'm a lurker who was there. I just have to say this was my first Living Room Concert and I was so overwhelmed (in a good way) by how amazing it was. Jeff & Sue's and the hosts Ken and wife's generosity was not lost on any of us. The hosts worked their butts off and Jeff and Sue sacrificed an evening which could have been spent at home/with kids. And in my opinion Jeff played a LONG time! So BIG THANK YOU to them.

I was so impressed by the musicianship. There were times when the band led Jeff, others when Jeff lead the band, and still others when the band was more a back-up to Jeff...Jeff just seemed to know when to come forward and when to recede a bit and let them do their thing. It was lovely.

A couple of times he said, "You guys probably know the lyrics to this one better than I do!"

Another time he said, "You made it through to Hollywood!" (American Idol reference for those of you who are not keyed into this phenomenon).

Since no one has posted pictures yet, I'll be the first. These were taken with my iPhone, I forgot my "good" camera but at least they are something since you must be chomping at the bit to see something/anything (and I don't blame you). If you would like to help me out with specifics/comments let me know here (the pics are numbered)...I put them on there last-first and must see about redoing that when I have the time.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28997313@N08/...57615760743833/

Enjoy!

Let us not forget either - the fact that Jeff mentioned the show was the anniversary of his and Sue's "first night together." Then he made some joke about us wanting to know more...did he call us "filthy?" ha ha ha...Anyway, he also said his wife was his "Higher Power." Pretty sweet, huh? I loved the show too.

Hey people! I am the friend of Wendy's with the spacious lower level set up. We have hosted these types of house concerts before and are very comfortable with the process. If we can get enough folks together - and if Jeff would do it - I would so love to have some Wilco friends bless our home. And as far as the music goes, wow, let's just say I hope it penetrates the walls and floors and ceiling and roof and...........limitless possibilites. Wendy has kindly offered to keep track of the number of people spilling out of the first group into our potential group - and will keep me posted - Let's just say if this materializes mi casa es su casa...

THANKS WENDY

JEFF, SUE, EVERYBODY ELSE

The great cosmos for connecting us all!

That "Fort Wayne" Proposal Booklet is quite compelling. I hope it gets read by the "interim government" and passes on to the higher powers to be signed off on! Good luck, I hope to be there if it manifests.

John: very interesting to read what creative forces were at work in the making of that poster, thank you so much for sharing that..I keep looking at the leaves...I'm just crazy about their delicate intricacy.

What an absolute blast! Jeff did a great job juggling the "hardcore" fans, the Montessori school crowd and the miscellaneous. As did his wife. He made many funny jokes about the teachers being present in the audience stuff like "Oh, I'm so embarrassed now I'm never picking up or dropping off the kids again..." (You had to be there?) Just fun and complimentary towards his children's educators. There were a few requests which he just couldn't do -- for whatever reasons -- and he asked for a substitute. Yes, the parts about being interviewed in Europe were HYSTERICAL. Jeff did this impersonation of some german guy who is very intellectual and analytical and says his questions in a way Jeff is not sure if it's a question or a statement. And the Spanish woman/interviewer who insists Jeff's songs are "sad, very very sad," and does great "facial olympics" after each of his answers. The songs which were sung and requested by the hardcore fans who stood in line outside, phenomenonal. And, what a blessing to have your favorite artist gift you like that! Lucky lucky. The entire evening was great, nobody acted like an ass, great singing along and clapping ALL THE WAY THROUGH JESUS, ETC. (that was me, heehe)

OK: finally, adore the poster. What beautiful detail in that tree and what a great funky hippie feeling it has. Can't wait to frame it as a constant reminder of an intimate musical evening with Jeff Tweedy.

thank you kindly, srmt.

hey thank you so much for posting those brothers and sisters...much appreciated

Is this going to be GA or a seated show? Thanks.

C'mon, pretty please be nice...

(Will try thread search if I can figure it out)

I'm sure the full lyrics are on here somewhere...can someone direct me?

Wow, still getting comfy navigating this board...but sounds amazing. It will make Good Friday even gooder!