Cold as Gasoline

I also think Phosphorescent Blues is (by far) their best studio album. I'm partial to "Julep" and "Little Lights", but there's not a single clunker on it. The addition of Gabe on drums as well as fiddle is a bold move, but I like it as long as the drums are sparing. The cover of Josh Ritter's "Another New World" gave me chills. They are just unmatched for musicianship; especially Chris T. and Noam are jaw-dropping. Can't get enough Punch Brothers!

Quick thoughts: Jeff was clearly MUCH better tonight. He said last night was one of the worst "stage headaches" he's ever had, and you could tell. So glad to see him feeling better.The Minus 5 ROCKED! First time I have seen them, and it was a nice kick in the pants to start off the night. I was a massive REM fan in the 80s and 90s, so seeing Peter Buck play live so close up was a dream come true. Setlist for Tweedy band remarkably similar to last night's (unsurprising) with a few variations and a significantly longer Jeff solo set, which was lovely.Banter tonight was top-notch. My favori

Weird is the operative word for last night. Jeff was clearly ill, as mentioned. He and the band soldiered on and did a pretty complete show, with the exception of the very short solo set. A few highlights: first time I've heard them do "The Losing End" and thought it sounded greatbanter highlight: a guy shouted randomly something that sounded like "should I be in jail?" And Jeff responded that if you need to ask yourself that question, the answer is "yes."the songs from Sukierae sound better every time I see the band play. The band has gotten more comfortable with them and having a strong

Saw Tweedy tonight and again tomorrow! Punch Brothers were spectacular last weekend in Chicago! They are at the top of their game. What did you think?

Yesterday, bluegrass band Town Mountain. Tonight, Dawes opens for the Jayhawks (!) Saturday, Punch Brothers with Michael Daves. Embarrassment of riches after a long dry spell!

Jason Isbell!

Maybe they are trying to balance things out I did see Jay solo last year at City Winery and yeah, he pretty much stood there and played songs. I'm still going! He can stand there and sing songs for me all day long. I'm good with it.

Got a notice yesterday that Jay Farrar and Rhett Miller (together!) are playing 2 dates at the Old Town School of Folk Music April 25 and 26! Pre-sale for members on Friday 2/6 and then regular tickets to the general public on 2/13. Thought others in Chicago might be interested. I'm a member if someone wants to get in on the pre-sale. http://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2015/04-25-2015-jay-farrar-rhett-miller-8pm/

Was picking up dinner from Boston Market to take to a friend's house, and the sound system was playing "Can't Stand It." Best music ever heard in a Boston Market, I'd say.

The cape's the best part! I'm not really even kidding, and I like MMJ...but LOVE the cape.

Diane, you should just go ahead and move to Chicago at this point. It would probably be cheaper and easier than "vacationing" here multiple times a year, even over the winter! It is practically your second home already.

Whew! Got the presale tix for March 6 and 7 at the Vic.

I remembered about an hour late and all presale tix were sold Will try tomorrow for one of the Chicago shows.

Jeff and Mavis collaborated on a posthumous Pops Staples record that's being released now. The video at the end of this article is so lovely and heartwarming. http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/jeff_tweedy_mavis_staples_finish_posthumous_album_by_pops_staples

Yes! This should be a killer combo.

Oh, I also have 'Ulysses' next to my bed, a copy I bought at Shakespeare and Company in Paris 10 years ago. The bookmark is on page 18 . Hope you do better with it! Last year I met some long-term financial goals and finally feel like I can take a breath and not worry so much about money and job security. In the new year, I want to keep practicing guitar every day and improve my (very basic) skills. Also, make some new friends. There's been some attrition in that department, and I really need to figure out how to meet more people I have something in common with and not be a loner, whic

I really like the beaten folk path (especially when that includes artists as different as Benjamin Booker and Willie Watson and Lucius) and am happy to hear so many great folk and roots musicians over the course of the 3 days. I'll be going to both SSF and Newport this year. Both are unique and inspiring in their different ways. The thing that makes these festivals fun is the sheer quantity of great music, much of it new to me, that lets me indulge in old favorites and explore something novel, all in the company of a few thousand music-loving strangers.

Just saw a link to this trailer for the new documentary we knew was coming..."Mavis!" (not sure I approve of that title, complete with exclamation mark, ouch.) Cameo by Tweedy and some footage from Newport earlier this year, including dueting with Rachael Price of Lake Street Dive. http://insidemovies.ew.com/2015/01/08/mavis-trailer-sxsw/

All three of those shows were so good. I've been reminiscing about them all year. The Watkins show was probably the best one (great guests and Sara was an excellent MC), but every single one was something special. By the way, I did meet you briefly before the Tweedy set last year. I had met TwoShedJackson and his family the day before and he introduced us. You should go in 2015, if only just for the Saturday! You know you want to.

I've pored over my spreadsheet (don't judge) and these were my faves of 2014: The Milk Carton Kids - New Year's Eve at Evanston Space Gillian Welch and David Rawlings - Thalia Hall, Chicago The Milk Carton Kids with Sarah Jarosz - Pabst Theater, Milwaukee The Jayhawks - House of Blues, Chicago Wilco - Winterlude night 4 at the Riviera, Chicago Wilco - Milwaukee Riverside Jeff Tweedy - Solo at the Vic in Chicago - night 2 Jason Isbell - Barrymore Theater in Madison, WI Honorable mention: all three of the aftershows at Newport were fantastic. The only big disappointments I can cite are the M

Got my early bird ticket this morning. Last year was my first time going, and I had an incredible time. Agree with the pros and cons listed above. The best things are the absolutely stellar lineup (cannot be overstated!), the no-chair zone in front of the main stage, the easy-going music-loving crowd, and getting there via ferry from town on a beautiful summer day. The difficulties are finding a place to stay that is in a good location and reasonably priced and trying to figure out what to do when 2 of your favorites are playing at the same time. These are high-class problems to be sur

New Year's Eve with the Milk Carton Kids (love those boys)!

Did anyone notice Jeff at the Colbert Report finale about 3:15 standing next to James Fanco and Christiane Amanpour (weird juxtaposition)? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUy1-JakJtE

Ha! Well, you know who to look for and where to look since I waved at you from my spot, Diane

In that last photo, you can see the top of my head from the nose up:) I was back behind the second rail though. Great photos and a lovely recap! Thanks for sharing.