Rodion

Definitely jelly (I think that term is still in circulation).  I love that someone asked him to play Smile (in reference to last year's question, what song would he would to play).

Why so few songs?  Did 30 people not brave the weather to get their requests in?

Am I the only one who thinks Flatness is the best Tweedy song on this album, not Screen Door?

Maybe the density of the crowd was bad where others were, but I was about 3 rows of humans back on Nels side, and it wasn't crowded at all.  I mean, maybe I'm just used to indoor shows at venues as opposed to festival shows, but it was a warm, muggy night, and I'm sure I would sure I would remember standing nuts-to-butts with other stinky Wilco fans.  Still, found it confusing that as the band was playing there were still unfolded chairs strewn about with no one sitting in them.  Maybe there would have been more room if people put the chairs away as were more considerate of those around them.

That said, had a great time the second night.  I loved how they kicked off the show with I Got You and loved how much of Summerteeth was played.  Funniest/most embarrassing part of the night was when that woman came on stage to make a request, and she gushes about how her favorite album is YHF ... and then requests Candyfloss. It got a little worse when Jeff corrected her, and told her that wasn't on YHF, and she second-guessed him on it.  Now, I know that Jeff's memory isn't what it used to be, but come on.  Also, she gave him a hug when she came on stage, and he did seem a bit weirded out by it.  Truth is, I could have done with a little less human interaction both nights.  I think Jeff excels at banter, but no so much at actual face-to-face interaction, and includes with John Hodgman.  Anytime he was on stage, it did mess with the momentum the first night.

Looking at the setlist, holy crap there were a lot of songs played.  Loved the show, but whatever you do, do not stay at the Redwood Motel.  A resident of the town even apologized to me for that location and said they'd never recommend it again for festival goers to stay at.  Gonna try and get better accommodations next year.  Looking forward to seeing all the same faces are meeting more next year, and I hope Wendy and The Mexican can make it out there as well.

Rodion

Jeez, such a heated thread!  To anyone who was disappointed by the set, know that you probably have mostly Wilco fans like myself to blame for this calamity, but there was a good chance you could have seen it coming if you're on VC and peeked at the thread.  On the bright side, they didn't go for some of the more far-out requests.  While I too dream of a time where Wilco will play their greatest hits (ie, all songs from UT, AM and BT) again, this will likely never happen, because there's a limited audience that would appreciate it, even amongst Wilco fans.  Remember that they weren't selling out huge venues back in 1997.

Still, loved the set the first night.  Reminded me of a time when they played more covers and were looser, so I guess in some ways it was like being transported back to 1997.  I wasn't there, but Color Me Impressed took me to the Fillmore in my mind.  Anyone else wish that they played I Wanna Be Sedated to lead up to it?  Either way, we should probably lay off each other a little bit and remember who the real enemy is: Wall Street!

Rodion

ahh yes, what was I thinking!  Well Cabin Fever isn't sold here, but there is a substitute!

I would like to believe that Cabin Fever is not the standard by which we pick our in-line whiskies.

Haha- I tried to warn you that you were going to black out and miss part of the show...right about when you busted out those pictures of your dog. The best part was watching you listening to the recording the next day and saying "oh my god, he played that? Awesome!"

Yes, all of these things you say are facts.  

For me, I think that from the moment Amber and I got in line til the end of the 2nd night, it was just like being in this clip:

For anyone who hasn't done on of these shows before, I have to say that it was one of the most amazing experiences I've had (awake or asleep).  I had been in line early at a couple Wilco shows before this, but this was the first show where I got to meet some real fans of Jeff Tweedy and the band, and it was a ton of fun just exchanging stories and getting to know you people.  I'm a pretty social person (I'm discovering), and it was nice that everyone was equally as welcoming.  On top of that, just getting to exchange a few words with Jeff after The Long Cut was great.

Am I crazy?  Amber thinks I am this super obsessed fan sometimes, and I do feel like a bit of a fool.  When I got home, the first thing I wanted to do was play a bit of the show for my wife (thanks, Josh and Kevin!).  On the flight home, I was listening to the shows from last year, and when I closed my eyes, I could picture myself sitting in the front row with a Coors Light + lime, next to Deb, Dianne, and the other rabid fans as if I were there myself.  Okay, maybe I am a little crazy about this whole thing, but I guess that of all the things to be crazy about, this isn't that bad.

On a final note, Jeff told me to find a new project, and I have one.  Hopefully he'll be as accommodating next year as he was this one.  Highlights for me were (besides my requests of course), Henry & The H-Bombs, Pot Kettle Black, I'm Only Sleeping, and We've Been Had.  Actually, there were very few sounds that I wasn't too enamored with.  To sum it up, if you're reading this and didn't come this year, come next March, and it'd be great to meet you.

I also get annoyed with the flashes and the recording, but at the same time, maybe we should try and take a page out of Jeff's book.  Ranting on this site (and I'm guilty of it as well) about people who do that sorta thing is ... well ... I guess it's just to get a load off.  They're not reading this, and even if they do they won't change.  We all need to sing the Community Song to ourselves a little more, and maybe we'll all be a little less annoyed.

On a side note, I had a great time at both shows, from meeting everyone in line, to nearly getting hit by a car as I fetched a box out of the Tweedy's trunk, to passing out during the first night and rebounding for the 2nd, it was nice to be part of a larger group of Jeff Tweedy fans.  Can't wait to see some of your again at SSF and then at the benefit shows next year.

On another side note, I can't wait to request more Uncle Tupe!

Ummm, I think you mean the day after tomorrow...that is unless you're getting there to get in line a day early

See you there at some point I imagine...looking forward to meeting some of the fellow faithful from here as well...

Day after tomorrow.  Yeah, that definitely makes more sense.  It's not like this is a new iPhone launch.

Looking forward to meeting other VCers tomorrow.  It looks like the weather is supposed to be crappy (no offense to Chicagoans, but I'm coming from California), but I should be in line early to ensure that I can have my request played (assuming he's doing it this year).  I'll be wearing a faux leather jacket with a grey hoodie.  Come say hi!

Rodion

Is "My Darling" widely considered to be a Jay Bennett song?  I noticed they stopped playing it in 1999 (save two shows in 2008).

http://www.owlandbear.com/wilco-archive/

http://youtube.com + http://keepvid.com

For me, the great thing about Wilco being so open to audio recordings is that JB is gone but not forgotten.  A lot of the guitar solos, the stupid things he would say, the "Corky Sunflowers" will live on in those recordings.  A friend of mine introduced Wilco to a friend and he just couldn't get behind Nels.  When she played him a shows form the 90's, he immediately knew that JB was a guitarist he could like.  I think that Nels does some amazing things for the band, but I miss the era of 20 different versions of Passenger Side.  I just don't think that Nels has that in him, no offense.  He brings something different to the band, but I definitely have a preference for what JB brought.

I'm not coming down on you, either. I agree, everyone enjoys their shows differently. As long as you aren't bothering anyone.

I'm not attacking anyone, but unless you're standing behind me, you're probably bothering me with the screen glow.  Unless you're in the back of the venue, you're probably bothering someone.  And if you're at a Wilco show, you're probably doing something the band doesn't really like.

I was at a Band of Horses show where the lead singer flipped out at people recording him with their cell phones/point-and-shoot cameras when they played The Funeral.  I didn't get why he flipped out (and subsequently apologized), but I do honestly believe that people who take pictures/videos during a concert are being bad fans.  I think they're ruining the experience for those around them and not really enjoying the show in the moment.  And for what?  For a grain video or underexposed photograph?  If you want to prove you were at a show, take a picture of the billboard or the ticket.  When you're in the moment, just enjoy it for what it is.

I meant get together and hang out before the show. Who else is in?

 

I'll be the short Mexican girl (early 30s) in a red hat with a book and a lawn chair (or two to share).

Cool!  I'm totally down for that.  I haven't really "met" Wilco fans, just people who know of Wilco, so I'm really looking forward to this.  Can't wait to geek out about which lead guitarist was best (hint:it's JB), which version of Passenger Side is best (hint: it's the punk version), and which is Jeff best song (hint: it's The Long Cut).  Yeah.  I'm stuck in 1997, but this latest tour has me rethinking my nostalgia.  

I'll be the 30-something hapa guy, and I'll be sure to say hi to you, Bumble Bee.  Also, this'll hopefully be my second encounter with Paul, and I hope to not sound so stupid when I talk to him.

Man ... how quickly did the Golden Circle tickets sell out?  Lucky you, Wilco Me.

So who wants to get a group together and stand in line early to get our requests in?

I'm down to get in line early (since I'll be coming in from far, far away, I'll have nothing better to do), but I don't think it'd be fair to hold spots in line just so people can make a request.  Just my thoughts ...

Thanks for the info!  This'll hopefully be the first time that I've seen Jeff solo since he came to SD in 2006, and I'm looking forward to showing up as early as necessary to request "The Long Cut"!  I hope he's still taking requests from the first 30 in line.

For those of us who have never gone to one before ... how do you get tickets?

I agree, but is this just a random thought, or is there some connection that I'm not aware of?

1996-11-05

audience: It's Gram 's birthday!

Jeff: I don't care.  Gram, who?

audience:

Jeff: Graham Parker's birthday?  Alright.

audience: Parsons!

Jeff: Oh, that's great.

Jay: Hey, it's Ken Coomer's birthday!

Jeff: It's Ken Coomer's birthday.

Jay: 56 years old and still rocking!

Jeff: I'm just kidding.  That's great.

 This was a little tricky, but if you go to the Wilco Base site and the page listing this concert, there is a link to the Owl & Bear download page for this show. I just finished downloading the songs and listening now - good concert! (SBD recording). Hope this isn't a violation of any of the rules, but here is a link to the O&B page:

http://wilcoarchive.com/Wilco%2019951025/

Oops.  I was referring to the 2000/09/19 Irving Plaza show.

It was a different show. A rawk extravaganza, and rough around the edges. Great energy.

That's the major difference between JB Wilco and NC Wilco.  Old Wilco was sloppy, rocked out, and improvised with musical genres.  New Wilco is well oiled machine that has nearly perfected what they do.  Depending on my mood, I like both.  No offense to Nels, but I really hope there's some alternate dimension where Jeff and Jay (Bennett) figured out how to keep it together and TWL had Jay as lead guitarist.  And while I'm coming up with alternate universes, how about one where Jeff and Jay (Farrar) figured out how to keep it together and Uncle Tupelo was still playing tiny dive bar gigs.

That one isn't on owl & bear ... anyone have a clue on where to get it?  Sadly, I was back at college at the time of that show, or else I would definitely have been there too.  

Yeah, 2/15/97 was my first Wilco show as well.  It's a damn shame that there isn't a video of the whole show, because there were so many memorable moments.  Did you ever look through the Reverb episode and see if you can find yourself in the crowd?  I think I'm able too, but it ain't no HD image, that's for sure.  So, I reiterate my question: does anyone know of any show so ... different.  The only ones I can think of were some shows from late 2000, where they were would just Woody Guthrie song after Woody Guthrie song.  Made for a very bizarre opener in my opinion.  But they seemed to do that night after night, so it wasn't just a particular aberration, just Jeff and Jay being ... maybe drunk/lazy Jeff and Jay.