dvigs24

1) Vaguely remember giving Yankee Hotel Foxtrot a listen after I read about it on some "best of" list in the early 2000's, but it didn't really click with me. Really started to get into them back in 2008 when they kept popping up on one of my Pandora stations, and I'd keep going over to the computer to see who I was listening to, and it always seemed to be Wilco. So I decided to...

2) ...go see Neil Young on his fall tour in 2008 (12/13/08 in Worcester, MA at the DCU Center), even though I'd seen him before and tix were $$$, largely due to the fact that Wilco was the opener, and I wanted to check them out. Needless to say, I was blown away...listened to pretty much nothing but Wilco for the next 6 months, and finally found a band to knock Radiohead off the perch as my #1 favorite band.

Well, the weather certainly made things a bit damp, but overall, another excellent Solid Sound Festival! My only question/complaint, what the hell happened to the bahn mi sandwiches? There were many more excellent food choices this year, but man, I missed those bahn mi sandwiches...

I don't think my career is unionized, so I guess I'll just have to be competent to stay hired.

I am a teacher. I belong to a union. I am extremely competent at what I do. I believe in a giving my employer 100% of my effort on a daily basis regardless of being a member of a union. Going in to work every day and doing any less than what I'm being paid for is tantamount to stealing. I have many friends who are wonderful teachers and go to work everyday with the same attitude as myself. I have friends in the private sector who have been employed for years, some of which seem to do nothing but play on the internet all day and take a few calls. I have friends who are teachers who only do the bare minimum. This idea that all unionized workers are mediocre slackers and only private sector employees earn their pay is patently ridiculous, and clearly an idea vigorously promoted by big $$ in order to give the private sector employees who are being stripped of all benefits a convenient scapegoat. In the process, it will allow the big $$ to strip everybody of their rights. It's really unbelievable.

In addition, I recognize that there is much reform needed with unions, particularly teachers unions. I think it should be harder to get tenure, we should be evaluated much more frequently and in a more comprehensive way than we currently are. This does not mean that unions should be completely abolished.

My listening experience so far has been thus:

New album songs sound like they could work on any of the last three albums - I enjoy the last three albums quite a bit - I like this new album

It's not covering much new ground for Radiohead, but that's fine with me as I'm quite fond of the ground that they've already covered. Except for OK Computer and Kid A, I don't listen to the albums in sequence much anyway, these 8 tracks will fit quite nicely into my usual Radiohead shuffle. I'm also quite interested to see how they will treat these new tunes in a live setting. I remember being blown away seeing how some of the tunes from Hail To The Thief were transformed live, particularly The Gloaming, and liking the album that much more afterwords.

If you don't like Radiohead, or at least the direction they've taken since Amnesiac, what is the compulsion to trash the newer material? Clearly Radiohead's music is something that a lot of people like. If it's not your taste, that's fine, but sometimes it seems like people are determined to make anybody that likes something that they don't seem inferior in some way. Like you're an idiot if you like the new Radiohead, and a moron if you think it's in any way equivalent to their far superior earlier work (or even any good at all), and if you do like it, you're just forcing yourself or pretending because your a shameless Radiohead fanboy (or girl). Please note, this is not necessarily directed at anybody in particular, but just a comment on a general sentiment I've noticed on the net since yesterday AM, which reflects my current thoughts on this lovely Saturday morning with some lovely new music.

I didn't mean to turn this into a Jay/Nels thing, but it's impossible not to when I compare Nels live on songs Jay recorded the original parts for. Jay would probably really suck at emulating the Either Way solo (not that anyone ever should), because that's Nels doing a Nels thing.

 

Interesting discussion! Nels will certainly (for better or worse) help shape the sound/vibe of the new album, so I think the Nels/Jay talk is pretty relevant. I wonder what kind of things we'd be saying if either one of the following had happened, either (A) Jay was replaced by a Jay clone or ( Nels completely rewrote all the guitar leads that Jay/Jeff had played, and played those instead. I guess that's a topic for another thread.

I never said I liked them. At least I don't think I did. Anyway, it's funny to see you defending Jay (who has been the target of your ire and jibes), when it is jay i actually prefer.

I think this comment gets to the heart of it...it's a preference thing, which is not really reflective of somebody's absolute value as a guitarist. If Jay sounds better to you, then he does, it's really not something that needs defending. I don't really have a preference for Jay or Nels, I think they are both great, and I think each one brings/brought things to the band that the other doesn't. Of course they're gonna be different, they're different people, and Nels has the disadvantage of having to follow Jay, and has to basically play songs/licks that Jay presumably wrote (or helped to write). It seems that whenever a guitarist takes over for another in a band, these same issues always crop up. Warren Haynes comes to mind with the Allmans and the Dead. Great player, some people love him and think he's god, others see him as somebody who basically tries to play like the originals, but ultimately falls short.

I'll say this again: one of my least favorite things about Nels is that while he can mimick any sound - country-western, rock, whatever W(TA) was - it sounds like he's mimicking. Jay played country-western licks; Nels plays licks that sound like country-western licks. Jay and Jeff play(ed) from the gut; Nels does on his own, but in Wilco it sounds like he's playing-by-numbers for each style that is not his own.

I disagree. It doesn't sound like Nels is mimicking to me, just playing the parts he needs to play. Having listened a bit to Nels other work, I'm glad he tones it down a bit for Wilco, but that's just me.

This reminds me of a sports argument, where Player A is definitely more skilled at what he/she does, and Player B, although not as skilled, plays with more heart and grit and is beloved by all.

Oh I'll be going to see wilco and buying the albums as long as they come out. I also don't think I said they aren't making albums with the "valid" wilco sound, because that changed from album to album.even though sbs is not many members fav, I like it, and it's definately a different direction than agib.

The 100% part, it doesn't sound like they did at all with wta. No demos from wta or sbs is dissappointing and makes me wonder how much time their spending on each song. But yes I have no clue since I'm not there.

And nels is a fucking guitar god, but I don't think that's always a good thing. Granted,yes, live it makes for quite the show, but it does make studio easier,positively and negatively.wilco isn't a typical rock band that needs perfect guitar licks, or hasn't in the past.

And I'm not some wilco snob,I got into em in 00.

My basic theory is that the bands earlier work is what made them famous(?).if wilco was a new band and had only released wta,they wouldn't have near the fanbase they have now, but who knows.I'm not trying to argue with you,just disagree.especially on liking wta.besides country dissapeared it's a pretty typical album,and that's new in the wilco catalog. But ,as with you, I am dying to hear the new album.

No arguing here - we just have slightly different points of view. That's the beauty of music, everybody hears something different.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nzwPUS_Glo

 

I love this song ... and I love this arrangement, too.

I love that song as well, one of my favorites to play (and easy easy). I love the super up, yelling Rolling Thunder versions too. Hadn't seen this video before, is it from The Concert for Bangladesh? Thanks for posting.

it doesnt seem like jeffs songwriting is the problem at all to me.my and i thought most peoples complaints about the last two albums was it didnt seem like they were trying very hard to find what they ,i assume, worked their asses off earlier.now they dont have to try as hard, or the current lineup is to good.i think people want tweedy back on lead guitar.i do.nels is amazing,but maybe too good?the only person im not a fan of is pat,he is super talented, but i think hes there for the youngsters so theyll stop jumping on stage whilst drunk.either way,tweedys lyrics are always superb,country disappeared is one of my favorite songs on an album i only really listened to when it first came out.they dont need to try to get a fanbase anymore by experimenting and putting 100 percent into everything, so why bother.he got to where he wants to be and probably will go further with albums like wta because it fits into the bland landscape of the thread "wilco youve heard out and about."its all costcos and best buys and places like that.wilco is turning into elevator rock n roll.but they will always be my favorite band.

I think it's an awfully big assumption to make that Wilco isn't "putting 100 percent into everything". I don't get the impression that anybody in that band is settling for anything less than putting everything they've got into their musical endeavors. Whether or not the end result fits any one person's particular taste, or what Wilco should sound like based on some notion that the earlier albums are the "valid" Wilco sound, is a very subjective thing.

I became a hardcore fan shortly after Sky Blue Sky was released (after finally seeing a live show), and this incarnation of the band is all I know, which gives me a much different point of view than somebody who has been listening from the beginning. I've listened to tons of shows from every period, and have found things to love with every iteration of this band. That being said, I really love what both Nels and Pat bring to Wilco, especially in a live setting. I disagree with the idea that Nels to "too good". I think he's a perfect fit, and represents an evolution in the sound of the band (that I happen to like). To me, Wilco just sounds like a band that has members that have personally and musically matured, and I'm okay with what's been described as the "dad rock" sound (even though I don't find that term very useful). For some people, Wilco's new music sounds less vital, and I'm okay with that opinion too. I used to be a huge Pearl Jam fan in high school, was with them from the earliest days, bought every import I could find, convinced myself that any obscure crappy B-Side (Bee Girl, WTF?) was gold...and then, suddenly after the 4th album, they just lost it for me. My relationship with the band changed, they got older, I got older, etc. It happens. I look forward to Wilco's next album, whatever it may sound like.

Listen to the YHF demos and then listen to YHF. Worlds apart, with the same songs.

Very true. I stand corrected. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

I'd be shocked if it's anything but self produced. I'm just not as fond of Lanois as many people. His style worked on (most) of the Dylan shit he did, but those records had Dylan writing pretty dreary songs, and I don't see Tweedy doing that this time around. And even then, I like a lot of TOOM songs better live than on record.

I agree. I love Time Out Of Mind, but listening to Neil Young's new one (Le Noise) and then going back to the Dylan, it seems like Lanois just has too much of a heavy hand with the vocal effects and the distant, spacey noise feel. Kind of a one-trick pony. Unlike some people, I enjoy the current lineup and I like the sound of the band on the last few records. People's quibbles seem to be more with Jeff's songwriting than the actual sound, not sure how much bringing in a producer will change that. Just my opinion.

Me and my friends were there last year too!

What space are you in? We're booked at site 037 for the same days as you and your wife.

 

We all agreed that if we were going to camp, it's better to be *in the woods* rather than on a crummy athletic field with no showers and no shade. It may suit some folks, but not us.

Couldn't agree more - camping in a field has never held any appeal for me. Different strokes I guess...

We were at Site 12 last year (close bathroom access), and will be again this year. Only difference is that this year I'm dragging my dad along with us (and possibly bringing my 4-year-old daughter) and I wrangled up some friends to go, who will be at the site next to mine. Should be a great weekend!

Looks like many people, like me, were shut out of any somewhat convenient hotels for Solid Sound. We thought it might be fun to camp. Just wanted to check out the camping vibe from anyone who prefers a campground with showers... any suggestions?

Last year my wife and I stayed at Clarksburg State Park, and plan to do so again this year. We didn't spend too much time at the campground, but it suited our needs perfectly. Clean bathrooms with showers, nice shaded campsites, short drive to venue, and cheap. You can reserve a spot online through Reserve America. I think it's $12 a night and there's a service fee for registering online (a few bucks more). I have a site booked from Friday through Monday. Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll be happy to answer them if I can.

Off from school today for the 5th time in 9 school days thanks to more snow...silver lining..."early worm" tickets! Can't wait for Solid Sound!

Details, anyone? Was there any memorable between song banter? Audience interaction? Anything cool/uncool/interesting about the venue or the people?

 

Setlists are great, and I'm thrilled that a tape of this show will emerge, but it's the little personal anecdotes that I really love to hear about!

Just off the top of my head...

The sound in the Bowery Ballroom was really excellent - A perfect place to see Jeff Tweedy solo. The crowd had been drinking pretty steadily for about 1 1/2 hours by the time Autumn Defense started their excellent set, and there was a lot of loud talking and a general "night out at the bar while a band plays in the background" atmosphere. John even made some snarky remarks to the tune of (not exact quotes) "Thanks for listening, the two of you" and that the Autumn Defense was a rock band "sort of", just loud enough that you could still "talk over them". This made me a bit nervous, because by the time Jeff took the stage, around 10:40, after what seemed to be an equipment issue delay, I wasn't certain that the liquored-up crowd would be able to quiet down. When Jeff first appeared, picked up his guitar and started picking the intro to Spiders, which were practically inaudible due to clapping/talking, I was even more nervous, but the crowd quieted down, and the few remaining talkers were forcefully and repeatedly shushed. Talking was not much of an issue throughout the rest of the show. At one point, Jeff thanked the crowd for being conscientious and quiet, to which somebody shouted "Should we get loud?". Jeff replied "Do you want to get loud?" to enthusiastic cheering to which he responded "Well, you came to the wrong show". Classic.

Jeff picked up a big beautiful Gibson Jumbo at one point and played "Be Not So Fearful", which he made the first of what would be many humorous flubs throughout the night. He explained afterwords that he was "listening to his guitar" which he had never played live before, and had a much fuller sound that the "toy guitars" he usually plays. He also commented on how the large guitar made him look smaller, then struck some poses with the Jumbo.

There was a bit of humorous banter about Jeff not taking requests, then saying all the songs were requests. That he'd been doing this a long time, and we should trust his judgment, as he selected a nice set list. He exhorted the crowd to "let him steer the ship for a while." Later, during Hummingbird, Jeff messed up the line in the second verse about "deep chrome canyons..." and stopped playing, saying that we know that line, and he was going to sing that verse again. After a humorous restart and whistled guitar outro, Jeff commented that sometimes when you steer the ship, you hit an iceberg.

John and Pat came out for the first encore, and for some reason, John did not have a guitar to play (what happened to his beautiful Gibson?), so he kind of awkwardly moved around the stage looking for something to do until it was time to sing on the chorus of California Stars. Eventually, a roadie tossed him a tambourine. 'I Got You' was really great, and the guys were obviously having a great time, especially Jeff and Pat.

The Autumn Defense set, as I mentioned earlier, was excellent. Pat was sporting a full beard, which made him look quite a bit older, very Bob Weir-esque. If you're into the whole "Laurel Canyon" sound and easy rock of the seventies (in the best sense of those words), then this is your band. The playing is impeccable, with some really nice harmony singing between Pat and John. Boy, can Pat play that Tele, what a great sound. I know some people feel he overplays, and don't get his whole thing, but I love it.

The flubs and banter were charming throughout the night, and I constantly kept thinking that that must have been what it was like to see Dylan, when he was first working the NYC clubs in the early sixties. All charm, rasp, showmanship, self deprecating humor, and most importantly, great songs. Set was a little shorter than I thought it would be, but I think it would have been longer had Tweedy gotten on stage sooner. I'd seen Jeff solo twice before, but this was by far the most intimate experience for me, and it was great. I'm truly fortunate that the tickemaster computer gods bestowed me with two tickets.

There was definitely a recording rig set up in the balcony at the Bowery last night. I'm sure the recording will show up eventually. The sound in that place was impeccable, the crowd relatively quiet (during Jeff's set at least) and there were quite a few humorous moments (Hummingbird second verse restart comes immediately to mind) that should come across quite nicely.

Pretty much a lurker at VC, but just wanted to share this funny coincidence. I'm heading to the show in NYC tonight with my wife, and we're coming from the New Haven area of CT. She had a hair cut appointment earlier this afternoon, and when she came home, she told me about this exchange she had at the hair salon:

My wife chatting with her hairdresser:

Wife: "I'm going to a concert tonight with my husband"

Hairdresser: "Where is it?"

Wife: "New York City"

Man getting hair cut in next chair over: "Who are you going to see?"

Wife: "Wilco" (She figures there's a better chance he would have heard of them rather than Tweedy)

Man: "I'm going to that show too!"

They continue to have a conversation, turns out he's been at a few shows that we've been at in the last year or so too. What a small world no? What are the chances that my wife randomly runs into a guy going to the same show as her, at a venue that is not exactly local, where the tickets were extremely limited and hard to come by, because they happen to be in the same hair salon at the exact same time? Pretty funny. Thought some of you might think so too.

If you tried this with Dylan's songbook, could you live long enough to finish it?

Somebody's already doing this, and it's quite good. It's going chronologically through the official releases, with a few sidesteps into outtakes and live stuff. The writer has done 130 songs so far and is currently up to "In Search of Little Sadie" from Self Portrait.

Check it out...Every Bob Dylan Song