Magnetized

Thanks so much, Paul. When Jeff’s on tour I always look for your recaps first thing in the morning and you did not disappoint. I hope our friends in the Great White North take up the challenge in your absence. Oh, and I wish Jeff would heed Sammy’s advice and lose that hat occasionally! There would be no slings or arrows from this fan!

I am so sorry to hear this. It's happened to me before and it has sucked both times. Once was without warning--the other one I saw coming. I'm definitely on thin ice in my current job too, and unfortunately I'm well past the even-remotely-marketable age bracket. I worked for almost 20 years for the same company and was pretty much happy as a clam there. My downfall came when I thought it was a brilliant idea to take a leap into a different functional field (sales and marketing vs. product management) back in the late 80's, and it's been one sucky experience after another since then, includi

I always listen in to his college radio station show Hella Eloquent on Tuesday nights at 8. Aside from sounding like Jeff (always a good thing) he’s a smart, cool kid, with wide ranging musical tastes. You can listen to WLFM radio on TuneIn.

Apparently Sammy slept through a lot of the show. That is a great damned picture!

Echoing another thread, all I want for Christmas/New Years is . . . ROADCASE!!!

I’m so glad you were there last night and will be again tonight, Paul. The first thing I wanted to do this morning was check Via Chicago and see if you had written a recap. It’s the highlight of my morning-after routine when I haven’t been to a show myself. I’m glad Jeff was in better health this year, although those shows when he had such a bad cold yielded some priceless banter. Could you tell if other extended family members were in attendance? I know Jeff’s brother-in-law and family live out there. And the new song about the flood—was the tone more in the nature of a humorous ditty or ap

On the fourth day of Christmas my Wilcos gave to me: Four dreamers dreaming Three God shaped holes Two intertwined IG guitars And a blinking macrame owl onstage

Just saw The War on Drugs in Richmond VA last night and will be seeing Lydia Loveless at the Cat’s Cradle tonight.

I saw them twice before, at Big Ears and again at Solid Sound. Been waiting to hear something about the Chicago shoe the other night.

I love what so many of you have said about the uniquely lovable quality of Jeff‘s voice. I’ve never been able to figure out for myself what it is about it that I find so completely compelling, but I know that even if I’m listening to something random on shuffle and I hear Jeff clear his throat I know immediately it’s Jeff Tweedy clearing his throat. There is something about his voice that instantly resonates with me like no one else’s.

I’m starting to feel like a traitor to my gender, but I have not heard a damn thing that Al Franken did that would cause his colleagues to turn on him and essentially force this resignation. It feels like political correctness run amok. We definitely needed a transformation in our way of thinking about sexual harassment, but not every woman’s accusation should be accepted without question. This is not even to mention that we’re applying today’s standards to yesterday’s behavioral expectations. I’m old enough to remember that there was a generally mutual understanding between men and women t

Is it too soon for them to do another covers show on Friday? That was the most awesome show ever.

I wonder if one of the reasons for the vinyl not having a download code might have to do with a rights issue. Like perhaps they have secured the rights to issue the material on CD but not on vinyl, and maybe those are harder permissions to obtain? This is purely conjecture. I have no idea.

That 2-night stand at the Cat’s Cradle in April looks like a sure bet for me. It’s such a great venue.

Damn! And it’s Chikamorachi too. I love those shows. If anybody hasn’t seen Jeff doing this freestyle improv, you should definitely check it out.

Nobody I know better be thinking of getting married or dying whenever this is!

There were some encouraging signs today, I learned through a post on Susan Miller Tweedy’s Facebook page. She had posted some hilarious old pictures of a “pajama party” following a Young Fresh Fellows show ar the Lounge Ax. A very long time ago. Mary Winzig, Scott’s wife, posted that she had shown Scott the pictures and he said “Wow...that’s fucking amazing.” That was so good to hear!

Franken resign over this? Hell no. He is a bright light in the Senate and there is absolutely no reason for him to step aside just because of one stupid transgression. Now if more comes out, maybe so, but he has already admitted to some pretty heavy drug use in his past and that didn't seem to bother people. This was just a sophomoric stunt and an overreaching pass at a woman. It shouldn't be excused but I don't think there are too many powerful men who don't have similarly icky skeletons in their closets.

I’ve heard rumors to that effect. Did you notice in that preshow interview that Jeff referenced the Tweedy band he has with his sons. Plural.

A couple of gun-related comments.... I posted a comment on the FB page of one of my nephew's friends, He had made a statement about "God help us. Offering up prayers to the lone star state." I said that prayers and God didn't seem to be doing the trick. Is it appropriate yet to talk about some level of gun control? Hoo boy! His dad jumped in to say the usual things about how there was plenty of regulation (we just have to enforce existing laws) and the real problem is mental illness, etc. It made me more aware than usual how much of a bubble/echo chamber I live in. I never hear anyone I know

Well, these Yo La Tengo residency shows are a little bit of a different animal. I don’t think having Jeff open for them is any kind of an insult to him. They’re buds.

Yep Roc Records 20th anniversary weekend was completely awesome. Dave and Phil Alvin, Nick Lowe, Chuck Prophet, Tony Joe White, Alejandro Escovedo, so many more—even Jimmie Dale Gilmore sitting in for a song with the Alvins. At the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro NC. Fantastic time!

I love the little random noodling bits. I don't know whether he's trying to throw us off the trail or just amusing himself, but I like it.

I think it makes perfect sense, Paul, for you to have a different perspective on the shows then the average fan. No matter how great a band is, each show has its own vibe, and that can be influenced by all kinds of factors, including which shows you saw before this one, as well as the people around you at the show, where your seat is, and any number of other things. We all rank things in our minds and not every show can be “the best.” Someone who sees Wilco as often as you do is bound to have a more discerning palate and notice things that most fans would not pick up on. I always look forward

Ooh, that’s exciting. I’ve been requesting Mountain Bed for Asheville on the website, because it’s a mountain town. This gives me hope they might do it!