smells like flowers

. As great as Wilco is live right now, I don't think Wilco shows were ever more entertaining than many of those Being There/Summerteeth shows.

Jealous, so jealous of folks who saw them at that point in the Wilco timeline. My first show wasn't until 2002.

 

But as to whether Pat is the new Jay; to me, Pat looks like he's having fun, lots of fun. He puts the "playing" in playing music. From what I've seen on film, you tube, etc., Jay never had that sort of levity, but he did bring something to Wilco that helped create the best records they've made (imo).

I've been wondering if anyone in the band does yoga, as they included it on the schedule at both Solid Sounds. Pat, maybe??

The other morning the college station in my town played the following:

Night Fever - Bee Gees

1901 - Phoenix

I Might - Wilco

 

What a great little line-up to start my workday! I Might did sound a tad heavy and weighed down after the Phoenix song -- that band is like whipped cream to Wilco's bread pudding.

I got Audio-Technica ATH-M30 model. They're on amazon for $59. I don't know a thing about sound gear, but my husband picked these out and they seem perfect for the at-home stereo experience.

It looks to be pure, optimistic speculation.

FWIW, I sent an email to Deb Bernardini mentioning that the natives over here on VC were getting restless and hoping for some kind of word one way or another. I told her that we know Wilco loves us, and if they're taking a year off I'm sure there's a good reason, but we'd love to hear something so we can make summer plans! No response yet, but I have to admit it was a pretty cheeky thing to do.

 

Way to grab the bull by the horns, Diane! You've got grande cojones.

The Edit hits home. The funniest thing I read in a year end wrap up of best albums, songs, and performances was a snide remark about the Whole Love. The commenter liked the album, but then mentioned that the Jeff Tweedy weather report was proof that if JEff walked on stage...

 

I actually thought that weather report thing was awkward and ridiculous, and Jeff looked extremely uncomfortable. His banter had a definite undertone of "get me the f--k out of here!"

Seemed like a good time to revive this thread from last year!

 

I got some great headphones (Santa did NOT deliver YHF and ST on vinyl as requested, however -- boo, hiss!) and spent some time listening to my favorite tracks on AGIB today. Guess I will have to bite the bullet and start my own collection of Wilco LPs. But I was thrilled to hear so many sounds I had missed before. Putting on One Sunday Morning next!

 

Later edit: Just listened to a most of The Whole Love through the headphones, and am flattened. Black Moon gave me shivers. The crowning glory, of course, was One Sunday Morning. Hearing these songs through headphones, with all the subtle and layered sounds, was practically an ecstatic experience. Glenn Kotche's percussive genius lends a vitality that I'm only just beginning to appreciate. Wow.

Unfortunately, it seems like there have been more rumors that they'll skip it this year, than any definitive plans for holding it. (Scattered throughout VC world). I'll bet they are reluctant to announce if they're not doing it, anticipating much wailing and gnashing of teeth from fans.

 

But, like going to the dentist, they should just get it over with, if it's bad news! We're all anxiously awaiting a decree from on high....

My friends and co-workers, too, hear more than their share about Wilco from me. I've decided, though, to embrace it as part of my identity. Wilco really is such a big, rewarding part of my life and their music is deeply embedded in my heart and soul. Some people never do experience this kind of passionate zeal for music, or seeing shows, or much of anything. Their loss!

 

I did have the profound pleasure of converting my best friend to fandom (via a live show back in September) and she described her newfound love for Wilco as feeling like she had a happy secret. I love that!

Agree that Christmas can be very tough. So many expectations and trying to relive the past. Spending the day in a bubble with your own family while so many suffer. It can be a hard one to balance. Best wishes for the season, Crow Daddy.

 

On a happier note, for some inexplicable reason, last year I never heard the Eagles' version of "Please Come Home for Christmas" and I really wanted to hear it! Now I've heard it twice in two days and I'm good for another few years.

What the hell else can I put sausage gravy on?!?!

You could use in instead of hollandaise on an eggs benedict type thing. Or instead of cheese sauce for a Kentucky Hot Brown!

The response on the board to the recent setlists does say it all -- lose the standards for a while and dig deep. I hope this trend continues for the spring 2012 dates (when and if -- please, lord -- they come back to the Southeast). With these setlists, though, a major road trip might be in order. I wish a Solid Sound announcement would come soon so I can build next year's budget around Wilco shows!

The show had such a dirty rock and roll overtone the whole night.

 

There's nothing you could have said to make me wish I was there more than this.

We love the Silk Nog at our house, too!

 

Taking an old favorite to my office party this weekend: hot crab dip. It's lump crabmeat, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, a sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning, and maybe a dash of worcestershire and a bit of minced onion. Serve with sliced baguette. It's hot, cheesy, and decadent! (And a nod to my Eastern Shore of Maryland roots.)

Rockin the C-9 lights again this season. I know they're wasteful as hell but i love 'em.

C-7s and C-9s are the best Christmas lights! Becoming fewer and farther between, so even more special.

I'm partial to the painted C-9s but you hardly ever see them these days.

I'm absolutely green with envy over the last week's setlists! You lucky M-Fers!

I Might on "Good Morning Americana" radio show this morning (Flagler College radio station) and I Am Trying To Break Your Heart at locavore-type restaurant an hour later!

I'm not sure I agree about the communication problems being ego-driven.

 

Jeff strikes me as someone who hates confrontation.

The Jay Bennett dismissal takes and entirely different tact after watching the documentary and even moreso when listening to the band commentary.

Leroy and John had some really harsh comments about Jay.

He had basically worn out his welcome.

 

Well, isn't fear of confrontation a self-protective measure at its heart? So the ego is involved, in my opinion.

 

I understand things with Jay had really soured (I've watched IATTBYH). However, Greg Kot described a scene early in Jay's career with Wilco, where Jeff had eaten some pot brownies and got way too high and started panicking, and Jay held him and helped him through it. The intimacy of that scene, the emotional vulnerability, just breaks my heart. And it did end very badly for Jay. The whole first third of the book described the dysfunctionality of Jay Farrar's total lack of communication, and to a degree, it seems like Jeff brought that into Wilco in spite of how much pain it had caused him in Uncle Tupelo.

 

My point is that the up-close-and-personal look of the dynamics of people you hold in high esteem doesn't always measure up, and there's a certain regret about that (for me, anyway). The book was a very compelling read, however, and I'm glad I finally got around to it!

Someday in the future, it would be interesting to have a part 2, called "Born to Die Alone" or something like that, to pick up after YHF until wherever Wilco goes from here.

I agree, especially because the book ends just as Jeff is getting out of rehab and Ghost is being finalized... really wanted to hear more about that. And the band just keeps doing interesting things that would be great to read about in depth (Solid Sound, creating their own label, etc.)

 

Parts of the book were really sad, though, especially the poor communication whenever a band member was "let go." I felt really sorry for how Ken Coomer was treated after 8 years in Wilco. Ditto for how things worked out for Jay Bennett. I guess that's the danger of learning about the human side of great artists... their failings can be especially disappointing. The same ego that creates beautiful art can't deal with communicating directly to a long-time friend and band-mate, to protect that very ego, it seems. Alas, no one's perfect and that applies to Jeff Tweedy as well as anyone.

I'm into "Rising Red Lung" lately, especially the instrumental after these lyrics:

As intimate as a kiss

Over a phone

And it goes...

 

By the way, how intimate is a kiss over the phone, really? I'm trying to figure out if that means there's too much distance between lovers to be truly intimate since they are on the phone and not in person, or whether a phone allows for an intimate private conversation or kiss even in a crowded place, where potentially only the two on either end of the phone conversation can hear.

 

At work one day, I overheard my direct supervisor saying goodbye to his girlfriend on the phone and he made a kissing sound into the phone. I'll be honest, it grossed me out. And when I hear that line in Rising Red Lung, that's what it calls up in my mind! But I love Glenn's drumming in the song, the snare fills towards the end. Just no kissy-face over the phone! Maybe it's TOO intimate (certainly for the workplace)!

I have also made two of my own. Is this illegal? I used images of past Wilco posters from their site, printed off onto iron on transfers...

 

Perhaps I shouldn't be admitting this here. I don't sell them, I wear them all the time and I figure I'm plugging the band where I go so...

I've wondered about that, too! I remember seeing a kid at Solid Sound 2010, with a shirt that had a handwritten message on the front: "Wilco is Best." Also, since the quality of the shirts they sell online and at the merch tables are so spotty, all the more reason to come up with your own!

Finally got around to reading Wilco: Learning How to Die. Finished it yesterday --lots of stuff to chew on. I found the most interesting and rewarding thing about the book was how Greg Kot was able to fully convey what music really means to Jeff Tweedy. It fuels the fire for my Wilco-love.

WOW!!! Now THAT is a freaking great set list. Muzzle of Bees, Pot Kettle Black, Always In Love, She's A Jar, Standing O, I'm a Wheel, the 3 straight Being There songs.....dang.

My sentiments exactly... double dang! A setlist dream come true.