H.Stone

I'm not a musician, but Deeper Down seems to have quite a few chords and that's always an indicator to me of a song being a little more challenging to play. A lot of times a song might not seem that hard, but it's often ones that don't seem hard that actually are.

 

With Deeper Down, there's also the matter of Nels having to juggle the Jerry Jones "Shorty" 12-string and the lap steel. It's deceptively intricate arrangement, it seems to me.

I also think the timing is complex, particularly in the transitions out of the verses.

Must be a good festival when the primary negative commentary is about the beer.

I think the advantage is that you know you have them. (Back in the day there were occasions when presale tickets were allowed early entry, but I haven't heard of anything like that in a long time.)

Was hoping he'd play something off Sukierae, especially with srmt there, but I didn't necessarily want to get into the bidding fracas (even though it's of course for a great cause).

 

Kind of funny that people at those shows who do bid on individual songs generally always request like the same 10 ones (Via Chicago, Pecan Pie, etc.)

I'd love to attend, but weeknight shows at this time of year aren't even an option.  Unless....someone wants to take my classes on Jan. 6? I promise I won't request A Hit. 

Oh, nice...what song? 

 

I believe it was called "Here I Am." Apparently it's going to be on their (next?) album. Or is on their most recently released album? Campilongo wasn't the best at promotion, which was endearing. At one point he couldn't remember the name of the song they were about to play, and he also couldn't remember on which album a particular song had appeared. He announced that he had brought some CDs along and was going to sell them in back, like it was a great, last minute idea he'd had.   It was a real testament to him being in it 100% for the act of creating and performing music.

The Jim Campilongo Trio

After Friday night at the Riv, I'm hoping to see the Jim Campilongo Trio at the next Solid Sound.

I can't fathom what it would take to cause an uproar around here. 

I can recall many things that have caused an "uproar" around here, and none of them are related to being really excited about the great things the band has done and is doing, unfortunately. I'm not around nearly often enough to have an informed response to your post, but Muzzle of Dan is right--check out After The Show and share your feelings there. Maybe you'll eventually find out we're "all inside."  

 Guinnesses on me for Wilco XXV.

Like, body shots?   Just kidding. (That's so 2011.)

I'm in for Wilco XXV. 

I have to say that one important thing missing last night was...bbop.  Missed you, P. It was a struggle drinking four Guinnesses by myself. But seriously, let's not let that ridiculousness happen again.

I had no way of knowing then how many people I love and care about I'd end up meeting directly and indirectly through this band, or how much their music (past and future) would resonate with me. I'm so glad I was able to take part in a celebration of all that, and Friday's show was the perfect culmination.

 

So true. And then to think about how it must be for Jeff and John to look back on 20+ years together and remember the trials and triumphs they've shared with each other, personally and professionally. Damn.

Did Jeff wear the same jacket all six nights?

I'm working on some pie charts around this...sorry for the delay.

He wore a denim jacket the first two nights. I wasn't around for the middle two shows, so I can't say when he made the wardrobe change. 

A little more banter from this show:

After California Stars, Jeff told the crowd that CA Stars is on Bob Seger's new album and that they were both playing it tonight. In fact, they arranged it so they played it at the same time...but they couldn't find anyone who was willing to simulcast it, so it wasn't worth it. Then, barely skipping a beat and completely deadpan, Jeff added, "That didn't happen." It was hilariously awkward.

Highlight for me was full band Blasting Fonda and the great run from In Love to Dreamer. Had to shed some layers!

Last Saturday seems so long ago, but looking over the setlist reminds me--I want to do this one again! The surprise of hearing the opening notes of Dark Neon--shit! I hope they perform that more regularly because it's a great rocker. And watching Glenn's drumming on Panthers was incredible. I hadn't seen the full band in over a year, so every song was a treat and surprise. Secret of the Sea has never been on my list of favorites, but it recruited me tonight. The harmonies are so beautiful, and the band is unbelievably tight. (It's almost like they've been doing this for 20 years.) Beautiful hootenanny, too.

Random Banter:

-Early on, Jeff said they were playing the songs they liked to play as well as ones the people working with them liked to hear. He noted that "all you bean counters out there" keeping track of new songs on tonight's list...*dramatic pause* "there are a few."

-Before playing Deeper Down, Jeff said they were playing it again because it takes a lot of work. He added that everyone likes it for their own reasons, Glenn's reason being that he gets to "smoke a hooka during it."

- Jeff introduced all of the band members and the number of years they've played with Wilco, ending with John who he referred to as his brother. (He noted that he and John pre-date Wilco's 20 years.)

- Jeff then recognized the audience, acknowledging that some people have been around for more than 20 years. He also temporarily disowned the recently-joined fans but then declared everyone is welcome because "ït's a very diverse crowd...age-wise."

Awwww, Sandoz. NAILED IT. (I'm a little late on the this one...) It was a great night. Wish you could've stayed!

I needed post-rock sustenance in the form of a Plague Bringer before I could gather thoughts about the final show of the Winterlude.

The first highlights for me were Blood of the Lamb and Another Man's Done Gone. I missed the Residency show that included Blood, and I never expected to hear it tonight. What a treat! The latter was simply gorgeous: simple white spots on both Jeff and Mikael, and Jeff's vocals so raw. I want to hear it a dozen more times.

But the whole setlist and vibe were incredible. Kicking Television! Let's Not Get Carried Away! Dark Neon! The minutes passed like seconds tonight, and the air of appreciation and nostalgia were obvious all night. Sometimes it's easy to forget how much time has passed since my first Wilco show, and hearing Jeff give a shout out to the former band members was surprisingly emotional. (I don't typically have a lump in my throat and watery eyes during Hoodoo Voodoo...with or without cow bell.) Thinking back on the past incarnations of the band was an act of personal reflection. So much has happened since then! I got married! Made little humans! What a weird trip. It was a sweet, powerful moment in the show, and it seemed like each person on stage was having his own moment of reflection and gratitude. The full-band bow was a beautiful thing. So great! I loved everything about tonight. Thanks, Wilco.

If it really was the library guy who provided the oomph in the zep song, it was too perfect. Jeff seemed to think it was and I want to agree.

It wasn't. Sorry to disappoint! The Zeppelin dude was great, though. He was lazed back in his chair, eyes closed, belting it out. When Jeff asked if it was the "library dude," Zepp stood and exclaimed, "I am not the library dude, but I do love libraries!!" Interestingly, the actual library dude also stood to identify himself during that exchange, which seemed like a weird choice. In the end, both were missed due to crowd noise, a dark house, etc. Two thumbs up to Zepp, though.

Perhaps some of the other people I know are on here and were at the show(s) will still chime in with some thoughts.

One moment that I found quite funny was when he tried calling out Spencer and Sam to sing the Community Song in Spanish. Spencer shouted something about "only" being at that school since kindergarten, and Jeff said, "Eight years wasn't long enough to learn how to sing that in Spanish? What a waste of money." Classic bit at a benefit for the school! Of course Jeff immediately said, "No, no. I'm kidding. This is a great way to spend your money." Dude's funny.

 But hey, might as well give something unusual a try if you really want to hear it! 

And if you happen to be the only fan Jeff likes, your chances of hearing it will be even better! 

Just curious when the show became a lot of random requests for covers vs tweedy/wilco/tupelo/loose fur etc songs plus songs he's covered before

 

I don't know that there were "a lot" of random requests for covers, but I suspect any time Jeff honors even one unusual request (such as "Single Ladies" way back when....heh heh), attendees take greater risks in their requests at future shows. Plus, since everyone provides a "back-up" request, he always has a choice. There's a cover I request of Jeff any chance I get, and while he has never played it, I continue to request it. I'm not doing it to be a dick or suggest I've run out of Jeff Tweedy songs I'd like to hear. I keep requesting it because it's a song I love that I believe will only be made better if Jeff Tweedy performs it. It's cool to think about him sharing in another part of my "music world" with me.

I love these shows, and last night's was beautiful. I also appreciate Jeff continually honoring the request system. There were so many great choices last night! Thanks to the Tweedys for the time and generosity, as always. I do believe the sun'll come out tuh-mah-luh!

Thanks for the details, both Paul and Muzzle of Dan. Sounds like a blast! I bet that TTIG call-and-response bit could even make Don Draper laugh.  The details about him simply making fart noises reminds me of Dr. Spacemen and his Chatterton cigarette commercials: "Use the rectum you have instead of a mouth..."

The Riverfront makes no mention of New Madrid, anyone remember when it was played in the set? 

Oh my god, P is actually indispensable!  I can't believe he's not even on here to give us a little hassle about our shoddy (read: non-existent) bookkeeping. 

Hmmm, maybe after Born Alone? Even Wilcoworld doesn't have it included in the setlist!

Hmmm...set list. Is it helpful if I name songs in random order? They opened with "Misunderstood" and closed with "Casino Queen" and then "Hoodoo" with shirtless cowbell thrusting that could be ... enjoyed?...from the very back. Other songs: IATTBYH, Via Chicago, Art of Almost, I Might, Forget The Flowers, New Madrid, Give Back The Key To My Heart, and CA Stars and I'm The Man with members of The National, as B said.

The best part of this show for me was having our daughters along for their first live Wilco experience. So of course I didn't enjoy the show from my usual vantage points, but it was a lot of fun dancing and playing catch and generally experiencing happiness with them in the far back while Wilco provided the soundtrack. My youngest is 8 and enjoyed the light show in particular. Between the lights being synched to the beat and the cacophony during Via Chicago, she has decided she loves the drummer. (Oh! They played Heavy Metal Drummer!) She's such a cliché. It was also funny that our oldest is scandalized if she hears us swear, but she didn't have any problem with Jeff using "bullshit" twice on stage. We even gave her a little hassle about it, and she declared, "It's different." Rock star double standards! So it was a great show for many reasons and will always be a special one for us. Rock onward, Wilco.