Magnetized

As I struggle to hold on to the blissful feelings of that perfect weekend, now half a month away, I find I can bring some of the feeling back by putting on my headphones before I go to bed and falling asleep listening to Jeff's solo show on Sunday. It's implanted some beautiful dreams in my head, too. so. . . Dreams and memories Come flooding through my headphones Fest feelings persist!

Happy birthday, Jeff. You have brought such joy into my life for so many years, I can't begin to thank you enough. For some reason, there are artists that we just feel connected to--maybe you've felt it yourself? But everything I've heard you say about the power of music to speak to us personally and to provide a shelter from loneliness, and how the best songs are inside our heads--between the singer and the listener's experience--is so true. It's why it's impossible to convey to others the power and intimacy of a song or concert experience--it belongs to each listener personally. Anyway,

Here's one, thinking back on Jeff's solo set. Shaggy headed gnome Whose music and soul we know Unites us as one

There are so many great Randy Newman songs it's hard to choose one or two so I'll just say that this is one of my favorites. It's such a beautiful melody and the lyrics are so perfectly twisted. Bad love, indeed! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xtVZjVj2Dc

That's something I hadn't thought of, and it might well be true. By the way, here's a compilation video of the Mel character on FOTC

I know! We were laughing on the way home about some of the praise for what wonderful citizens we Wilco fans are. I feel mildly insulted! What are we, the most boring old geezers in the world? I think next time we need to be the assholes we know we can be! Umm, by the way, I do hope it's clear that I'm joking, right?

From a "how did the festival do financially" perspective, here's an encouraging article from the Berkshire Eagle, http://www.berkshire...com/ci_15846411 Economic impact significant By Jennifer Huberdeau, New England NewspapersUpdated: 08/21/2010 10:24:14 AM EDT Saturday August 21, 2010 NORTH ADAMS -- The three-day Wilco Solid Sound Festival pumped about $1 million to $1.5 million into the local economy last weekend, according to early estimates from the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. "We ran our preliminary numbers through the Center for Creative Community Developme

Gotta go with a classic: Positively 4th Street

I am with you, Matt (the Z). I think Randy Newman is a genius, and Harps and Angels was a brilliant album. Maybe not quite up there with Bad Love or some of the old classics, but close. His live shows are wonderful--most of the people who go know about his solo work, but you always get a few Toy Story types who are aghast when he breaks into stuff from Rednecks! But he doesn't play down to the audience, and I've never seen him not win the crowd over. And for anyone who wants to get a dose of committed fan appreciation, check out the Little Criminals discussion group. There are some rabid Ra

I may be the only one who feels this way, but I was disappointed in the one comedy performance I saw (Kristen Schaal). I had only heard of her and Todd Barry, but I checked out some youtube clips of the others before coming to the fest--I knew I was going to have to make some choices and wanted to miss music for only something I was pretty sure I would enjoy. I was looking forward to her set because of Mel from Flight of the Conchords, mainly, and I've always liked her with Jon Stewart. But to me the set was pretty much standard issue comedy--definitely funny in parts (mattress, pony dancing)-

No, words have not failed you. That is such a perfect post. It's as if you reached right into my head and heart and pulled out all the random memories and feelings I've been trying to put together in some cohesive way, to tell my friends what this festival really felt like. You couldn't have captured the feeling of the weekend any better. Or so I thought. And then I saw your pictures and videos. I don't know how to thank you for capturing those gorgeous images and putting them together. Blew me away!

Please do post your review. It's so nice to hear the point of view of younger people who are into Wilco, since so many of us came along at earlier points in their career. It would be really interesting if you could tell us a little about what first made you notice them and why you became such a fan. I distinctly remember being completely nuts about certain bands when I was your age, but I was going along more with pop culture expectations. You, on the other hand, seem to have innate good taste! Sounds like you had a great time--I was there in the front row right along with you!

Brennan, you are the boy wonder taper extraordinaire! Beautiful recording, and I know the rest of your work is going to be just as good. Hope you got some sleep on your way home!

Well come on down, Beth! Your bf is sure to be a VC before this thing is over. I just got in to DC and am seated on the shuttle to Boston now. So far no rogue flight attendants! All looks good for an on time arrival in Boston!! I've been rockin' out to you know who the whole way.

Some more news articles are cropping up. This very good one from the Boston Herald, with a Tweedy interview that says he's looking forward to taking in some of the festival himself (!!): http://www.bostonher...e&position=also and this, from the Albany Times-Union, which refers (hilariously, to me) to "Tweedy's sheer drive, damaged psyche and unerring sense of melody" : http://www.timesunio...MoCA-611589.php Methinks the publicity machine is cranking up big time!

Just received this from Wilco HQ: WILCO: Solid Sound Update A dozen reasons to get off the couch and head to Solid Sound this weekend 12. The Perseid Meteor shower peaks tomorrow night (Thursday). But to really see it, you have to get away from the city lights.. 11. There's a sales tax holiday in Mass. this weekend (14/15), so you can shop and rock for less. 10. Two words: Jacket Weather. Escape the dog days in the city and head for the mountains: fantastic forecast for North Adams this weekend (sunny, highs in the upper 70s, lows around 60) 9. Admit it, you're i

Yes, especially Kristen Schaal! I love her as a correspondent on The Daily Show and of course as Mel on Flight of the Conchords. And she has a new book out, co-written with her husband or boyfriend, who also writes for TDS, called (I think) "The Sexy Book of Sexy Sex." She could definitely do some riffing on obsessed female fans. You know who you are. (Yes, I'm looking in the mirror.)

OK, that'll be our official crazy ass fan request for Solid Sound--"Hey Wilco, Via Chicago wants you to do a funky soul version of IATTBYH!" (Just kidding. . . or am I?)

Wow, this is a really joyful performance. They all look so happy--Jeff is positively beaming! I saw Billy Bragg in concert here in Norfolk just before the Obama election. Maybe it was the moment:--the sense that the tide was finally about to turn--but there was something really special about that concert. Billy was very political and energetic that night. Great vibes in a very intimate setting. But I digress. . . A question for the board: Wilco Spain consistently has some of the best quality videos around. I assume there's a story behind this strong connection between Spain and Wilco. A

This is the most awesome cover ever! And it almost totally works, which I'm still scratching my head about. It's actually been around a little while, and there's an alternate version up on youtube which is more just a performance video. (The singer needs a bro/manzierre in that version, unfortunately.) But the guy's got balls, for sure! Was this really posted on Wilco's facebook page at one time? I could imagine that Jeff would absolutely LOVE this video!

Not sure about smoking, but apparently we're all getting fancy wristbands for the weekend, with unlimited coming/going. I found this out when I was asking if it would be possible to exchange my printpass ticket for a hard copy (souvenir). They weren't sure, but told me that the wristband will be something sort of commemorative, not just like neon green paper.

Just FYI, I've called Mass MoCA a couple of times about things, and they do actually answer the phone. How informed the response is depends on who you get, but I've had some luck getting answers. This late in the game, maybe a phone call tomorrow morning would be better. The festival website (www.solidsoundfestival.com) does have the following info: Limited parking will be available at MASS MoCA & in downtown North Adams. There will also be clearly-marked satellite lots located on Routes 2 & 8, with regular shuttles running to MASS MoCA.

I think this was posted elsewhere but I can't find it now, so I'm including the link here: http://www.developno....com/solidSound Lots of good information about local attractions, food, shopping, etc. The North Adams chamber of commerce-like organization seems happy to welcome us! (And is hoping we don't take Wilco's advice to "stop shopping" to heart.)

Oh, isn't she wonderful? She has such a naturally soulful voice. I think I like the stripped down vocals better than the recorded version that will be on the CD.

Quick update from your party planner Diane Everything still looks good for our get-together at The Hub on Friday night. They have another party of 20 people coming in at 5:30 in the back room, but there will still be room for us at 6:30-ish. The owner, Kate, has been out of town and won't be back till tomorrow night, but one of her employees said that they should still be able to accommodate us. It might be tight, though, and I'm thinking that if anyone is planning on having dinner you might be wise to get there as close to 6:30 as possible. They are expecting the whole town to be a madhouse