Magnetized

It’s not bad. The “doo doo doo” part is reminiscent of Lou Reed in Walk on the Wild Side, no?

No.

Just checked the long range forecast for the Vic shows. Sunny and highs in the low to mid 50s both days. Wow, I hope this holds!

I was also at that Wilco show in 2006 at the Moon and it was really something special. I had just moved to Tallahassee at that time and I remember not being able to talk any of my coworkers into coming to the show with me—what’s Wilco?

 

In addition to the setlist surprises, it had some memorable crowd interaction involving a guy in dreadlocks who was standing near me. There was some back and forth between him and Jeff, and Jeff made some remark about how he always has problems with guys in dreadlocks. Clearly this was said in jest, but the guy left in a huff and his friends yelled at Jeff about insulting their pal. Jeff responded that he was just kidding and that the guy should relax and enjoy being made a part of the show. Ultimately, as I recall, the guy did come back, but this became a “thing” for a good chunk of the show. I thought it was funny, but sometimes I think Jeff assumes that audiences are savvier than they in fact are. It’s a sweet compliment that isn’t necessarily deserved. So it appears that the Moon, for all its idiosyncrasies, inspires Jeff to deliver a unique concert experience.

Thanks for the review, Paul. I always wonder how much is cause and how much is effect when it comes to a disconnect between audience and performer in places like Florida. I mean, are people unfamiliar with the music because Wilco and Jeff don’t play there very often, or don’t they play very there very often because the audiences are not engaged? It’s hard to tell, and obviously there are some big fans in every city/state, but I do fully understand why a band keeps returning to the same places where they feel they’re going to find a receptive audience.

 

And I also assumed the open kimono remark had to do with the business lexicon, not a literal open kimono! Haha

I'd recognize her if she posts again and I see it. If I do, I'll relay it to you.

Thanks!

Oh man, this story about the Houston couple infuriates me too. We’ve all seen some version of that behavior at shows, but this seems especially egregious. I’m an administrator on the Facebook group A Shot in the Arm and I remember seeing that couple’s original post, with a shot of where their seats were and another of their sneaked-in vinyl flasks. I wish there was a way to go back and retrieve deleted posts so I could figure out who they are and kick them out of the group just on general principles. Entitled drunks who want to be the show rather than appreciate the show. Is there anything worse?

Haven’t missed a year since 2012. I’m beyond ready for two nights of Jeff magic, and seeing so many friends again.

Lucinda Williams and Drive-by Truckers tonight in Richmond. My excitement level is high for this one!

This is great news and I’ve never been happier to be wrong about something in my life!

I couldn’t agree more, Wendy! It almost seems inhumane what he’s been doing these last few years, considering the depth of his catalogue. He literally has about 3 or 4 hours to cull through about 60 requests, narrow it down to 30, figure out the running order and practice. Holy shit balls! I’m insanely grateful to have been able to be a part of this miracle since 2012.

I was in line at last year’s shows when Sue came through writing down requests. She made an announcement in a low key and ambiguous way, and it’s been on my mind since ever since. Seemingly out of nowhere, she said something like “Guys, I just want to let you know that this might be the last year we do these shows this way. We might not do it next year, or we might do it differently. Or maybe there won’t be any changes at all—not sure. Just wanted to let you know that it’s not a sure thing for the future.”

 

Now obviously, that’s no concrete information and it’s not a direct quote, but she definitely did say words to that effect. (By the way if anybody else here overheard that announcement, please chime in and let me know if you think I have missstated this.) She happened to be standing very close to me when she made this statement and it was said sort of casually but deliberately. Not in a loud, announcement kind of voice, but it seemed very intentional.

 

So that’s all I know, but I’ve been bracing myself for last year having been the end of an era.

Fantastic recap as always, Paul. It’s not quite like actually being there, but as close as most of us are going to get. Many thanks.

The last show at The Moon in Tallahassee was in March of 2006. It was also just my third Wilco show ever and I loved it so much that I searched to find out if there was any kind of a Wilco fan group. Which led me to find Via Chicago and prompted my first post, as “Guest-Diane”. And so it began....

And maybe my favorite:

 

Oh I don’t believe in heaven

I keep some heat inside

Like a red brick in the summer

Warm when the sun has died

I’m reaching out to you

I’m writing all the time

I don’t see deep but I see far and wide

I see dead trees but the roots have leaves

"Scan Wilco's audience"..."and you'll see"..."the saddest fist-pumps in rock music"

 

Ouch!! I'm offended.

That line just cracked me up. While I don’t think it’s really true, it does have a certain “truthiness” to it.

Didn’t he write something similar to that in his book?

Maybe. I’m on Jeff overload right now, what with the book and all the attending publicity.

Likely not what he was going for, but it came across as if Jeff thinks, because of the movie, Jay gets too much credit for YHF...

I can see how it could have been interpreted that way, but that’s not how I heard it at all. I think he was just stating that what actually ended up on the record was very much due to Jim O’Rourke, while his influence is barely recognized in the movie.

 

I did think it was a good interview but that it could have been much better if Marc had not spent so much time on Jay Farrar and Uncle Tupelo. It felt pretty rushed toward the end.

How did everyone get it a day early?

 

My local record store owner called me. He said “I’m sure you’ve already preordered this but I wanted to let you know we got some promotional tote bags in with our order.” I told him I had indeed preordered but I could always use an extra copy, then I rushed over to pick it up. It pays to be friends with your friendly local record store!

I received this message yesterday from Tony Margherita and am sharing it with you all with permission:

 

“This may be old news to some, but I'm writing to let you know we're winding down Tony Margherita Management and closing up shop at year’s end. We've had a fantastic 30-year run; successful way beyond anything I’d dreamed of when I started it back in the late 80s. But after a lot of thought, Deb and I decided over the summer that it was time to move on and do some other things while we still have the wherewithal to do so — so that’s what’s happening. It'll come as no surprise to anyone who has seen Deb's social media that she is now cooking professionally in a cafe in downtown Northampton, and I, at least for now, am enjoying some downtime — listening to tons of music, catching up on that pile of books that I never seemed able to put a dent in over the years, painting long-neglected rooms in our rambling old house and hanging out with the dog. The good stuff.

 

The job, done right, takes a huge amount of one’s life — and when it works, it obviously brings great rewards. Pretty much every aspect of my life benefited from the work and from the people involved along the way. Many thanks to the artists who entrusted us with so much of their lives and careers, our employees who joined us in taking on that trust with as much creativity and perseverance as we all could muster, and of course those of you out there who supported both TMM and our roster in whatever ways you could. Mostly, it was a blast. Cheers to you all and happy holidays!”

 

Best wishes to Tony and Deb and the rest of TMM. They’ve been a great example of a special partnership over the years and part of what has made this feel like a family. I think there needs to be some kind of a Tony Margherita tribute installation at Solid Sound!

Well shit, now I look like an asshole!!

 

Sorry everyone

You weren’t an asshole! You were just watching out for a fellow fan. It’s hard to read tone in Internet comments.

Boy, I hope this will archived or that someone can capture the live stream. I’m going to be seeing Kurt Vile in DC when this is on.

It’s interesting to read everybody’s take on the book. Personally I loved every minute of it, but I know I’m an inveterate fangirl. I can understand the criticisms about his not covering details that would be of interest to us. But I didn’t think Jeff was trying to write an autobiography, so I really did not miss hearing details about his relationship with everybody or every phase of his career. I think what he achieved with this book was throwing open the shutters and giving us a breathtakingly honest and insightful view into his personal evolution and creative process, just what he wanted to share with us. And I’ve appreciated it more than I can say on that level. As he said in the epilogue, “I’ve imagined you sitting across from me, interested in what I might have to say.“ He could have gone on and on, as far as I’m concerned, for another 300 pages, but I was more than satisfied with what he did give us. I feel like I know him much better now.

I’ve heard that Tony and his wife Deb Bernardini (who handled PR) are retiring. I hope that’s true. It would be sad to think there’s been any kind of a falling out after all their shared history. I hope we’ll hear the whole story from an authoritative source soon.