Boss_Tweedy

So many great memories. Because I had so much convalescent time during winter and early spring, I spent hours entertaining myself by turning Solid Sound into a vacation and planning every little detail. My agenda went out the window before sundown last Thursday, yet I couldn't be more happy. I haven't seen everything I wanted to see. I didn't see every set I wanted to see. But I still experienced some incredible musical performances. Having one illness after another this year, I haven't had much time with other people. Consequently - or maybe just because of the quality of the company with whom I shared the experience of this year's festival - I'm most thankful for each person with whom I shared a moment of a magical weekend. It stuns me that I nearly missed out on so many experiences and friendships because I nearly decided not to go. For reasons that are now lost on me I didn't want to accept an invitation to attend 2019's festival. Even with the offer of a free ticket. In one long weekend I'm pretty sure I just made up for all the fun, laughter, and camaraderie that I didn't experience during the first four months of 2022. There's something powerful about genuine connectedness among people when it happens, and it seems like there's something special happening when a group of Wilco fans gather. I couldn't be more grateful to be along for the ride.

Also, the dumplings. My God, those dumplings.   

1 hour ago, summerdai said:

Not with those who say it sounds more like Wilco. To me it is Love is the King part 2 (which was Warm pt 3).  Hardly any backing vocals, keyboards almost non existent, virtually no Nels and Glenn doesn't seem to be playing much that Spencer hasn't probably already played on these songs.

 

There are a few good songs, but the whole thing is just so downbeat it makes me hope that Jeff is getting some professional help, he sounds so depressed. I am sure songwriting is part of his way of dealing with it.

 

After I listened to it in the car I switched to the Sirius/XM 60s station. They were playing I can See for Miles, full of drama, crashing chords, wonderful lyrics and a production that blows your mind. Wilco can do that! (or they used to be able to)

 

I reserve the right to modify my opinion after a few more listens, so far 2.33, with 1.33 of those being live.

One thing I noticed at Solid Sound is that a fair number of these songs have more life in them when played live. Especially keyboards. I get what you're saying though about the overall feel/spirit of the songs. I've been sick most of this year and confined largely to working and sleeping. I wanted to let loose and was hoping this album would be the soundtrack for my summer (and the remainder of the year). I still think many of the songs hold up well, but they're not what I'm in the mood for. I've only listened to the recording once, so like you I need more time with it. 

Just listened to the album in its entirety for the first time. My first experience with it was Friday night at Joe's Field. A number of the songs sounded great to me live, and I couldn't wait to hear the recorded versions. The songs that sound like Jeff solo songs don't do much for me at this point. There are several songs that have kinda gotten into my head, which is something I can't say for most recent Wilco songs. I need more time with it though. I do love the "country" flourishes and wish there were more. It's definitely not another "Being There," and I probably have to accept that there never will be. But it might prove to be my favorite Wilco record of the last decade. 

What a magical weekend. I didn't adhere to my initial plans and missed some or all of a few of the sets I'd wanted to see. However, Terry Allen & the Panhandle Mystery Band (with David Byrne and Shannon McNally) killed it on Sunday. And Neko Case, Hand Habits, and Bonnie "Prince" Billy, whose full sets I caught, were so good. As great as the music and the food were, the people are what made it special. My housemates, old friends, and those I met for the first time this year gave me so many reasons to smile and laugh during the weekend. I can't wait for 2024. 

7 minutes ago, lost highway said:

 

So you listened to some of the music and liked it. But reading about the music you haven't heard leads you to determine you won't like songs you haven't heard and that makes you feel sad.

 

Preemptive disappointment is very 21st century.

Hey, I'll be happy to be wrong. I thought it was OK to post critical and negative feelings/opinions here unlike the Facebook group. Guess I was wrong. 

On 5/22/2022 at 11:16 AM, chuckrh said:

I did a superficial listen. I wasn't wild about the record. I'll have to give it a few more listens & pay more attention. First Wilco record where I've said something like that, going back to the first one. I got an advance copy of that one & Being There before they were out & have been a fan since. Will be interesting to see what they do live on the next tour. Hopefully it's not all like the new record. Caveat: I'm not a huge country fan aside from Merle Haggard & Gram Parsons.

Putting the pieces together from the reviews I've read, I can tell this is gonna be another disappointing offering for me. I had high hopes based on the first song released and the description of the album as a "country" album, but I fear this will be another one I probably won't think about in a few months (along with Star Wars, Schmilco, and Ode to Joy). That saddens me.

I'm trying to get to next Friday night without having heard all but the first song that was released. Still it's such a cool gesture to make the new album available to festival-goers in advance. Hats off to Wilco. 

Being roughed up by security after trying to get a little too close to Neko Case. And the dumplings. 

Got my e-ticket via email today. See y'all soon! 

2 hours ago, jff said:

Not crazy about this new one.  Might be incredible in context of the album, but on its own it strikes me as a pretty generic “new Wilco” song.  As a teaser track, it doesn’t have me rushing to the cash register.
 

I did like Faliing Apart quite a bit.  Haven’t heard the other songs yet, but I’d be happier if Falling Apart, and not this song, is more representative of the new album.

I like "Falling Apart" quite a lot, and my biggest fear is that the rest of the album will be more "Wilco by the numbers" like their recent albums that I'll soon forget and never return to after listening a couple of times. I'm intentionally avoiding the other new songs so I'll have something extra to look forward to at Solid Sound, and I hope my fears won't come true. 

Can't wait for the NOLA shows. I may try to visit my Memphis peeps for Mempho Fest the weekend before, too. 

Having been laid up most of this year with COVID and two post-COVID illnesses that I'm told were probably related to COVID, I'm so ready. See y'all soon!

I'm digging this song and this sound. I won't speculate on what the whole album will sound like, but if it is a "country" album I'll be pretty happy. If it's not then I look forward to hearing the ground they cover. 

Reviving this topic because of the 30th anniversary of their excellent album Check Your Head. Here's a nice discussion. Although it's referred to as a flop commercially, I love Paul's Boutique, too. Maybe even more so. 

https://www.npr.org/2022/04/25/1094725602/why-beastie-boys-check-your-head-album-still-matters

9 minutes ago, calvino said:

 

 

Looks like a YouTube page has been started.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_odog3e_Ks

Well I'm intrigued.

Bon Iver

After World War II this wasn't supposed to happen again. Though I consider myself to be a left-leaning centrist, I'm the son of a military man. As such I'm pretty hawkish when it comes to just causes like this (as opposed to Iraq). Following this war is infuriating. Any student of history knows that Putin won't stop with Ukraine. He needs to be dealt with now, and I'm extremely disappointed in the West's response.  

I liked it and even cried during the film, but I don't think it's better than Licorice Pizza. 

Loved it!

The legendary Bobby Rush, Lightnin' Malcolm & R.L. Boyce, and Sharde Thomas (granddaughter of Otha Turner) and the Rising Star Fife & Drum Band at the grand opening of the Ground Zero Blues Club (co-owned by Morgan Freeman) in Biloxi, Mississippi. I almost skipped the show because I've had a very busy day, but I'm so glad I went. At 87 Bobby Rush still brings it. I'm gonna take advantage of every opportunity I have to see him perform. 

On 2/14/2022 at 9:38 PM, Beltmann said:

Did you like it, Boss_Tweedy?

I know many top critics, including those with whom I'm usually in sync, are hive-dumping on Belfast. But I've seen it twice now and am eager to stand up for it. It's not a deep movie (if you're looking for a historical, analytical look at the Troubles, you won't find it), but it has plenty of other virtues, including a generous catalog of impressionistic, bittersweet vibes from a child's point-of-view that are, cumulatively, very moving.

 

Personal anecdote: In December I took my 13-year-old son to see Belfast, unsure about whether he would enjoy it. (His favorite movies are Jurassic Park and Star Wars.) He was held rapt; he was completely overwhelmed; he openly wept at the end and grabbed for my hand. He also hasn't stopped talking about it and says that he wants to see it again. He's rooting for the movie to win big at the Oscars.

It's not fair to compare Belfast to Roma (that's a much richer, more ambitious movie), but maybe it's fair to compare it to Boorman's Hope and Glory or even, at times, Levinson's Avalon. I know that it's my favorite Branagh project since 1989, when he debuted with Henry V, a movie that was a massive formative experience for me as a teen and budding cinephile. Perhaps Belfast will provide a similar service for my boy.

I enjoyed it quite a lot. Honestly I'm not very familiar with the specifics of Northern Ireland history during the time period in question. I understand the general history, but I've never read about or studied it. I'm not sure I get the choice of black and white for the picture, but I suppose I'll defer to the filmmakers. Another small thing: I could've benefitted from subtitles. I think I caught most of the dialogue in the movie. but I'm pretty sure I missed some also. 

The message of the film to me is timeless, and I feel that it successfully and entertainingly conveys that mesage. I'm so glad you gave your son the experience of watching such a film. The chance of my 13-year-old self being exposed to such a movie was pretty much zero. It was my loss, too. I actually enjoyed it far more than Roma. It's the only one of the current crop of Best Picture nominees I've seen so far, so I can't say whether it's my favorite for the Oscar. I did like it very much though. 

Absolutely loved this ESPN 30 for 30 documentary about the Buffalo Bills teams of the 90s. It involves so much more than sports, and after watching it I've kinda fallen in love with Buffalo.

. 

From the folks who brought us a similar episode on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot with baseball great Dale Murphy. Our forum is even mentioned! 

Episode 224: Wilco’s “A Ghost Is Born” with Tom Hershey and Jeff Frame