Ghost Of Bob Cumming

maybe they could make up for the cancelled UK shows...???

I applaud your effort, sir, but I'd be surprised if we see them back this year (we're not in Charlotte, after all)

Am I mistaken? I was always under the impression that was the case.

Off to allmusic to check my facts....

I'm not 100% sure myself , but I'd be surprised (his Dad is obviously from the South East, judging purely by his accent).

a kid from Northern Britain

Really????

Anyone have any recommendations on where go next?

Is A Woman gets my vote. Very laid-back and piano led, excellent. Or possibly that one with the squiggly line drawings cover (What Another Man Spills?).

Perhaps controversially, I would leave Nixon until later. It got loads of hype upon release in the UK, but left me a bit cold.

LouieB, I agree with just about everything you've just said about Joe. How he is not much, much more widely known than he is, is simply bewildering. The run of splendid albums since Shuffletown is unparalled in my view (alright, so I slightly turn away when the subject of Fuse comes up - that was below par for him IMO).

I too got into him at the time of Short Man's Room - that and Kindness Of The World blew me away. Wrote to him on 2/3 occasions around this time and he always sent a witty postcard in reply (though sadly, and due to circumstances beyond my control, I no longer have these). Saw him in London in 96 - bumped into him in the toilets (!) and he was as friendly as you could hope for.

Unfortunately I've not seen him live since (there was a show pencilled in for Newcastle about 3/4 years ago, but never confirmed - if anyone connected with Joe is reading this, please encourage him to come to the North East of England), but you are spot on, Civilians is brilliant. Deeply envious after reading about these shows.

Yes. Lost Love, Can't Keep From Talking, and Please Tell My Brother all come from that album.

There's also a song co-written with the lovely Rennie Sparks, that I can't remember the name of right now (and, in truth, is probably the poorest track on the album).

Good album. My favourite track is Gary Louris' sublime Jennifer Save Me (also one of my wife's favourite songs, and she usually has limited interest in the music I like)

Unless you only skimmed the thread, seems to me you should have seen some sympathetic Americans, too

You're right. Actually, the vast majority of folks on here have been sympathetic. Many thanks (and apologies if I'm wearing your sympathy out).

Maybe someone has a medical problem that they'd rather not broadcast to the world, and needs to see a specific doctor during that week. Hell, maybe someone's mother is having a major surgery that week, and the band doesn't feel the need to broadcast someone else's medical issues. I'm just playing devil's advocate to your post here, but again, until we see them turning up somewhere that nets them more money than a series of UK shows, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt.

Once again, not a problem with any of that, and their right not to tell us any of that. But why not let people hang onto their tickets for a re-scheduling if it were for any reason(s) similar to this? Doesn't add up.

And apologies again. I know your response that wasn't aimed at me specifically.

someone else suggested it also..

But what I was getting at was that I didn't suggest it

So there is no ''also''

If we got a proper explanation from the band I'd forgive them in an instant. It's this poor excuse for an excuse that's got us UK folks riled. A bit of honesty/clarity would be nice - that's all I ask.

For me it's a combination of the management-speak/meaningless reason (that's why we all love rock 'n' roll, isn't it? For the 'conflicting schedules', the 'core demographics', etc ), and the fact that only refunds are being given.

I've no problem with any reason they give if the shows were just to be re-scheduled, that would cover the 'mind your own business' angle someone else (sympathetically ) suggested, but other than a problem with the Academys it's a bit of a slap in the face.

I don't understand why people are suggesting that they might never come back (to uk)

People?

I was merely suggeting that I don't think these particular dates will be re-scheduled, unless there's been a problem with the Academys. Otherwise, why not let people hang onto tickets (and thereby avoid them being charged for something they haven't actually got to see?).

If that was the case Wilco wouldn't be able to tell due to legal reasons I assume

Yes, I would assume so also.

Then again, it is just a theory to fit the circumstances based on what little we have to go on. I did say I was clutching at straws.

My gut feeling is they're not coming back

Apologies to anyone now bored with this thread, but how about this for a possibility...

...a fall-out/unresolvable dispute with the promoter/Academy Group (might they be one and the same?). That would explain the need to cancel all 4 UK shows and no others, and why we've been given no option to hang onto the tickets for re-scheduled shows. Also, there wouldn't have been time to move the shows to other venues???

I know, I'm probably clutching at straws, but other than this theory I can't figure out why we couldn't just hang onto the tickets if the tour really stands any chance of being re-scheduled.

I'm lucky. I got a full refund on my tickets, but I feel for those who've lost cash - it doesn't matter if it's only a small amount, it's money you earned, and are losing for nothing. Disgraceful! (I'm talking about the ticket agencies here).

Anyway, if it is a problem with the Academys - can I recommend the Sage in Gateshead, if anyone connected with the band is reading? Purpose built for music, fantastic acoustics. Only problem would be which of the two 'halls' Wilco would play in (probably Hall 2. Smaller, but can be converted for standing).

Just in case the post about promoter v band hadn't put the 'poor ticket sales' theory to bed, I went to see Iron & Wine in Gateshead (next door to Newcastle) last night, and I was surprised to find the venue almost full - I reckon about 350 there. Now if Iron & Wine can sell 350, I reckon Wilco could sell 500-600 tickets at the very least, and while I think that would only half fill Newcastle Academy, I'm not sure you would cancel on that basis.

Then again, Iron & Wine have played the North East before (unlike Wilco).

BTW, Sam Beam & Co were fantastic (and Leroy Bach was part of the band, so someone with a Wilco connection made it over )

No it was all done automatically - I basically had to do nothing. Having said that I'm still awaiting any confirmation of them yet re the upcoming Newcastle show being pulled...

Thanks for the info. I've heard nothing re Newcastle either yet - though the automated message I mentioned before took about 2/3 days longer than if I'd just checked the Decemberists website.

I think Welsh Rich is right we need to wait and see the real reason for the cancellation - I know t'internet was built for this sort of wild speculation, but let's take a deep breath, ey?

(Having said that, could have done without the reason being given in meaningless 'management-speak')

the agency (Ticketweb) were very good at informing me that a) it was off I would get an immediate refund and c) a telephone call to confirm that my refund had been processed

Out of interest, did you have to ring up Ticketweb re the refund, or return the tickets? I booked via Ticketweb and did get an automated message from them about 24hrs before the Decemberists show saying it was cancelled, but I've had no confirmation of a refund (would be helpful iro Wilco also) - not sure if I need to do anything (I think the message said that my card would be automatically refunded - but I was to busy cursing the cancellation to hear it properly ).

Pillowy Star - not everyone can make London shows. As mentioned, I have a young family, so never mind the expense issue, I can't take 24hrs 'off' just to see a gig (even if it is Wilco). Besides, I've travelled cross-country in my younger days to see them. Now of course, that doesn't mean Wilco should arrange dates just to suit me, but it does make it very disappointing when having done so, they cancel (and with little in the way of a proper explaination).

"Hope to schedule new UK dates soon" doesn't sound too great to me, would have preferred "We will definitely re-schedule". But if they are re-scheduled can we still have the Newcastle date (it looked like it was a kind of last-minute addition this time around)? Wilco have to face the Geordies sooner or later. Also, anytime before June is better for me . Child no.2 will be arriving after that, so I probably won't be coming out for 4/5 years .

Damn, I'm disappointed. Anyway, just to lighten the mood I'll leave you with these two notes from my 'gig history' (currently transferring from an A5 notebook to an Excel spreadsheet). From June 21, 1995 - The Jayhawks + Wilco - Wulfrun Centre, Wolverhampton; "Bumped into Jeff Tweedy & Ken Coomer of Wilco in the street, before the show, who were held spellbound by my conversational magic", and from April 9, 1997 - Wilco + Kim Richey - Wulfrun Centre, Wolverhampton; "Went backstage after show, spoke with Tweedy. Politely asked to leave dressing room when it was noticed that (my friend) Mark Holdaway was helping himself to Wilco's Pringles. Also, Jay Bennett - what a miserable t**t."

Seriously pissed off with this. Cancellation of the Newcastle date comes just 2 weeks after The Decemberists cancelled at the exact same venue...for the same reason! Site only mentions refunds, so looks like no re-scheduling anytime soon. Not surprised (but still disappointed) that Wilcoworld is slow - after all tickets had been on sale for most of these shows for a week or two before they appeared on the 'Shows' page.

AAAAARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!

Brian Henneman released a 3-track 7" single on Rockville (cat. Rockville 6088-7) in 1992 (so not post break-up). It featured 'Indianapolis', 'Get Down River', and 'Wave That Flag'. My understanding is that UT (Tweedy/Farrar/Heidorn) are the backing band on all of these tracks - pretty certain you can make out Tweedy supplying backing vocals on 'Indianapolis' at the very least (though can't be bothered actually listening to it right now) - that is only my understanding though, not 100% fact.

'Indianapolis' is a great (and funny) song, that I believe describes an actual incident when Henneman was UT's driver/road crew/extra guitarist. Saw The Bottle Rockets 2/3 years back and they morphed from a bone-crushing cover of 'Hey Hey My My' into a wild 'Indianapolis'. The place was going crazy!

Don't think 'Indianapolis' has appeared on a Bottle Rockets album (though thinking about it, didn't they put out a live album a couple of years ago? Might be on there). 'Get Down River' and 'Wave That Flag' were re-recorded for the first Bottle Rockets record, without any UT input though (I think that Farrar & Tweedy are credited with backing vocals on another track though - 'Kerosene'?? - sorry too tired to just reach behind me presently )

I've always been a fan of how after the line "I've run out of metaphors" there is a big gap where the lyrics would otherwise be.

 

Its gimmicky, but it works.

Is that the bit where the banjo burbles away like a steadily trickling stream (or something), and ends with Coomer crashing around the cymbals before they go back into the chorus? A mate of mine has been including I Thought I Held You on various compilations for years solely on the basis of this part.

im from birmingham and shall be there!!!!

and back to Brum for the following night?

Just thought I'd add some info about the Newcastle date for anyone who's not aware. The gig at Newcastle Academy on Saturday 3rd November is an early show (my ticket states doors open at 18:30 and a 22:00 curfew). This is because the Academy runs a popular club night on Saturdays and this will be taking place as usual after 22:00.

Also, the tour ad that appears in the latest issue of Word magazine states there will be no support act for the Newcastle date - presumably to assist the punctual running of the show.

Hope that's useful to someone. Personally, it's a good thing for me, with it being a Saturday we can catch the train in, have some drinks prior to the show, then catch the last train/bus home.

And speaking of Lincoln, that's where I was living at the time. Man, if I knew I could have crashed at the station things may have worked out better... could have slept in the photo booth!

Small world (but I wouldn't want to paint it). Lincoln is my hometown. Don't know if you could have stayed in the station overnight by the time of the Wilco gig, it was 1986 when I did it (and don't think we were really supposed to be there then).

I missed the Nottingham show on the ghost tour

Rock City, wasn't it? Can't believe I missed that one.

Rock City was the scene of many of my early experiences of live music (we're talking Anthrax/Magnum/Dogs D'Amour calibre here - though I did see Steve Earle there too). Also memorable for the night that me and a schoolfriend went over, from Lincoln, to see some 80's metal band and told our parents we were staying at a slightly older friend's university digs, but actually spent the night locked in Nottingham train station

Ey up!

Making the short trip to the Saturday night gig at Newcastle Academy. First Wilco show in over 10 years for me.

Shame Son Volt can't afford/be bothered touring anymore of the UK.

That there 'Mathematics' of theirs/his is a beautiful song

You can't beat a shimmering tremolo geetar