kidsmoke

15 hours ago, amerino said:

Hello.

I have joined this forum to share an epub I've made with the lyrics and credits of the Wilco and Jeff Tweedy albums. 

Regards.

Wilco Lyrics.epub 5.31 MB · 3 downloads

Impressive! Thanks for your work.

The various music publications out there have begun to appraise Wilco's latest, and it all has me proud and brimming with joy & anticipation.  This band just keeps reexamining itself and discovering whole new dimensions they want to explore. And then they do it and are brilliant again, in Wilco mode. Sounding like no one else, the band's personality shines through.

It's always intriguing to me, how music hits people, and why. The reviews may be attitudinally all over the map, (that's ok; we're all individuals!) but it sounds already as if this album is really connecting to people both sonically and psychically. Personally. That sounds like all the features of Wilco I love.

Admittedly, I'm rambling. Please share your favorite reviews here! 

Here's one:

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/sep/02/wilco-review-kentish-town-forum-cruel-country-cousin-guitar-fireworks?fbclid=IwAR3nbuBP7HTydLsD1BiIr_O_F6mFjqzxDJGDy9NyXCknkmf_Uw2JnSSq_2I

2 hours ago, bböp said:

From the time that the Proclaimers were forced to bow out of tonight's undercard slot on the main stage at this most pleasant of festivals and were replaced by none other than Billy Bragg, there was just one major question on everyone's mind leading up to Wilco's headlining performance: Would the collaborators on the much-beloved Mermaid Avenue project share the stage at any point and reprise one of the Woody Guthrie compositions they helped to complete and bring to the world? (Spoiler alert: They did.)

 

It was far from the first time that Wilco and Bragg have reunited on stage, of course. It seems to happen about once every six or seven years when they find themselves booked on the same festival lineup on the same day, most recently (I'm pretty sure) at the Newport Folk Festival on 29 July 2017 and then before that at one of the Rolling Stone Weekenders in Germany on 7 November 2009. Those were both on performances of California Stars. And before that, they frequently joined forces on several different Mermaid Avenue songs in the summer of 1998 on the traveling Guinness Fleadh festival when the first volume of the project was newly released. There have probably been a few other instances over the years as well.

 

Anyway, the thing with collaborations at festivals is that sometimes the ones that seem the most obvious don't end up happening for whatever reason. Maybe one artist or the other have to leave early, and there simply isn't time to squeeze anything in. Or inclement weather rears its ugly head and throws things into chaos. But once it became clear that none of those would be a preventing factor (and since we weren't going to all be bopping along to (I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles — much to the chagrin, I must admit — of your humble correspondent) it seemed like the Moseley Folk And Arts Festival audience wouldn't settle for anything but a feel-good sendoff with its two most prominent performers on the third and final day of this year's festivities.

 

Still, the crowd might have been getting a bit antsy when Bragg still hadn't reappeared with Wilco's 90-minute time slot winding down. Jeff had apparently spotted one of the festival's organizers near the front to his right a few songs earlier and had a funny little back-and-forth with him when Jeff thanked him for having the band at the festival and made a joke about how it was "sort of like your own private concert," to which the organizer replied that it "was an expensive ticket." That caused Jeff to crack a smile, and he said something like, "Well, I guess we better keep playing, then." Late in the set, after Jeff announced that he and his bandmates had two songs left, the organizer yelled out, "When's Billy coming back on stage?" Jeff had to reassure him, before launching into Falling Apart (Right Now): "OK,OK...it's gonna happen. Let's see how long it takes us to play this song..."

 

Finally, the time came for anticipated reunion. A relaxed and trim-looking Bragg reappeared with acoustic guitar in hand and Wilco began to play California Stars and for a few minutes, all was good with the world. We won't mention Bragg's lyrical stumble when he took the second verse on his own, as is the custom for most who guest on the song, but I think he immediately realized he had transposed some lyrics and turned to Jeff during the subsequent instrumental passage to express as much. Still, once it was over, Jeff hugged Billy and Billy hugged John and, if nothing else, once again assuaged the sense that there might be unresolved and irredeemable tension between collaborators who will forever be linked, whether they like it or not.

 

It was unquestionably a crowd-pleasing way to close out a long weekend of music and revelry, which included at least one extended interlude of old-fashioned folk dancing — some of which involved a wicker man of some sort as well as copious amounts of hay being thrown about — that had to be seen to be believed. The quaint three-day festival took place in a picturesque park about two and a half miles south of Birmingham city centre, and sort of had a Pickathon spirit and ethos about it (if anyone has ever been to that delightful festival outside of Portland, Ore.)

 

I'm not 100 percent sure, but this might have been Wilco's first-ever performance in this part of the country (West Midlands) as well. Jeff alluded to that in one of his only visits to Banter Corner when he said, "What a great night, and a great thing to be part of. Thanks for inviting us. I don't think we've ever been here before. I could be wrong. It happens all the time." He added that it had happened to him recently and joked that "I was in my own house." Certainly it seemed like there were more than a few people who had come to Moseley Park specifically to see Wilco, judging by the smattering of band T-shirts I observed (shout out to Mark from the Manchester area, who it was nice to see again) and the people who staked out their positions near the front of the stage as early as the start of Bragg's own set.

 

Unfortunately, there were also more weirdos than you might have expected in the crowd on the Sunday of a relatively sedate English folk festival. For instance, a drunken couple barged their way right behind the front row in the middle and caused a bit of a ruckus for a few songs before they thankfully stumbled off again. And I will scarcely mention the guy next to me (who I don't even think was a Brit) but with whom I engaged in a passive-aggressive leaning contest for a good part of Wilco's set because he had to stand directly behind his partner, apparently, and didn't have a concept of personal space.

 

I guess it was ultimately somewhat comforting to know that the usual crowd shenanigans that happen at home in America also take place over here as well. People are the same everywhere, for better and worse. If we would just all embrace love a little more, I'm sure things would be perfect, right? Take it from Jeff who, when a fan yelled out, "I love you, Jeff!" replied, "I'm not afraid to say I love you, too. I'm not like Doja Cat."

 

Here was the complete setlist, as played, at Moseley Park (I didn't get a look at the printed setlist, so can't say if there were any changes/omissions):

 

I Am My Mother

Cruel Country

I Am Trying To Break Your Heart

If I Ever Was A Child

Handshake Drugs

Story To Tell

I'll Fight

Side With The Seeds

Hummingbird

Bird Without A Tail/Base Of My Skull

Misunderstood

Evicted

Impossible Germany

Jesus, etc.

The Late Greats

Heavy Metal Drummer

A Shot In The Arm

Falling Apart (Right Now)

California Stars (w/Billy Bragg on vocals and acoustic guitar)

Sorry you had to endure lousy audience mates. They're universal. 😬🙄

16 hours ago, bböp said:

The 30th of August 2023...this will be a day long remembered. It has seen the end of Kenobi, it will soon see the end of the Rebellion. Wait, that's not right. The 30th of August 2023...a date which will live in infamy. Yikes, nothing anywhere near that dire. The 30th of August 2023...another Wilco Wednesday, the band's first show in the British capital in more than four years and another pivot point as Jeff and his bandmates head into the home stretch of this current European tour. OK, I think we finally got it.

 

Oh, and it might also have been the 46th anniversary of the arrival on this mortal coil of a certain humble correspondent (but more on that later)...

 

Anyway, I always sort of forget that Wilco hadn't really toured in the UK behind Cruel Country until now with the exception of one scant festival date last year. I suppose that among the places the band has previously toured, Australia/New Zealand/Japan also has a valid gripe, but really, it's a bit hard to believe that with another record set to come out in a month's time, Cruel Country hadn’t gotten any more than a brief spotlight in probably the biggest market outside the US of A.

 

There are, of course, positives and negatives to having had to wait so long. On the plus side, I think the version of the peculiar and thrilling jam Bird Without A Tail/Base Of My Skull has never sounded better than now. It seems like Pat and Nels have really meshed their guitar parts, with Pat shining on lead, and Glenn's drumming has gone a new level, propelling the song along with it. In addition, Falling Apart (Right Now) as the anchor of the encore most nights has become a fun romp and a nice showcase for Pat with his B-Bender Telecaster. On the flip side, other fine Cruel Country numbers such as All Across The World, Hearts Hard To Find and Many Worlds have dropped off the setlist entirely on this run.

 

In London, we got a setlist that pretty closely mirrored one from a couple of days earlier in Utrecht with a reprise of the Hell Is Chrome opener as well as other relative rarities such as I'll Fight and Side With The Seeds. Impossible Germany was another highlight, with Nels really stretching out his solo to the delight of most of the audience. I'll always remember seeing IG in London circa 2009 and it being still fresh enough that you could feel the emotion swelling up inside you when the song reached its climax when Jeff and Pat's guitars rejoin the arrangement and the parts all fit together. Though I've heard it hundreds of times since then, I'm still awed by how Nels can take his part in a different direction every night and create something new. Afterward, as the crowd was giving him his due, Jeff looked over at him and quipped, "Exactly how it was written. You did really good."

 

Another highlight came in the encore when, as on Night 2 in Utrecht, support act Courtney Marie Andrews came back out and duetted with Jeff on You And I and then remained on stage for California Stars. Tonight, Andrews was joined not only by her bandmates Sean Mullins and Taylor Zachry on percussion — tambourines this time, in addition to the shakers they used in Utrecht — but also by surprise guest Macie Stewart of Finom and the Tweedy band. Stewart, who is about to kick off a short European tour in support of her excellent solo record Mouth Full Of Glass, and Andrews shared one microphone and joined forces for the second verse of the Woody Guthrie-penned crowd pleaser.

 

By the time Jeff managed to get the London audience to actually clap somewhat in time on the subsequent, show-closing Spiders (Kidsmoke) — though Glenn seemed somewhat dubious — and even sing the ba-ba-ba-ba-ba riff a couple of times, Wilco had shown that it could still deliver the rock 'n' roll goods. Even with Jeff struggling noticeably with his hip pain when he walked on and off stage and occasionally sneaking in a stretch or two, the band powered through and sent the audience home on a resounding note and right at the 11 p.m. curfew.

 

Banter Corner was a pretty lonely place on this evening, with Jeff saying next to nothing during the first half of the show except for a brief deadpanned comment after someone yelled out something or other: "This is the part of the show I enjoy, when I get to speak to some of you individually, one at a time." Before the start of the encore, he also joked about how when he and his bandmates returned to the stage, one of their crew members said to them, "I knew it." As Jeff replied jokingly, "That's how that works."

 

On a final note, I must say a sincere thank you to Jeff for the birthday gift he tossed my way after Hummingbird. Normally I wouldn't share that private gesture but since Jeff, of course, took a few seconds a little later in the set to point out that it was indeed my birthday and hang the usual "he's gone to more shows than we've played" identifier around my neck, I feel as if I can say a few words about it here. Jeff shared with the rest of the audience  — spoiler alert — that he had given me "the lamest present in the world. I gave him my (new) book." Then a few songs later, he qualified his statement by saying that the book wasn't out yet, so that was pretty cool. And Jeff added that he also signed it, which he said "makes it worth less. If you ever spot a copy of anything I've ever put out in the world and it's not signed, snag it." I'm more than happy to have it, signed or unsigned, and probably just as glad it didn't also come with any group singing of that birthday song. You know the one.

 

Here was the complete setlist, as played, in Kentish Town (I didn't get a glimpse at a printed setlist, so can't say if there were any changes/omissions):

 

Hell Is Chrome

Handshake Drugs

I Am My Mother

Cruel Country

I Am Trying To Break Your Heart

Kamera

I'll Fight

Side With The Seeds

Hummingbird

Bird Without A Tail/Base Of My Skull

Random Name Generator

Misunderstood

Evicted

Impossible Germany

Jesus, etc.

The Late Greats

Dawned On Me

Heavy Metal Drummer

A Shot In The Arm

-------------------------------------------

Falling Apart (Right Now)

You And I (w/Courtney Marie Andrews on vocals)

California Stars (w/Courtney Marie Andrews and Macie Stewart on vocals and Sean Mullins and Taylor Zachry on percussion)

Spiders (Kidsmoke)

Happy birthday, and thank you for a wonderful, detailed review.

I'm dying to read that book! ❤

You do such excellent housekeeping! I'd like to treat you to a new set of dustcloths and a spiffy new vacuum. 

Thank you, our trusty reporter!

7 hours ago, ladyC said:

Kevin Morby!! 

Have a blast Carol! I wish I could be with you!

Paul, DAMN do you write a compelling review! I was there,  reading this. Thank you for all the small details that make it real in our minds.

At least I'm not slathered in sweat. What a great show.

Thanks for the reminder, I've meant to listen to them but (like so many!) haven't quite gotten to. Where to begin?

2 hours ago, Plumplechook said:

 

Yes he was a terrific guitar player.  Tore it up on stage during Dylan's early electric tours.

 

Who would have thought Garth Hudson would end up the only survivor of the original Band?

I actually said this to my husband when I heard the news. 

Robbie gave us a lot of gifts in his lifetime. Sharing his own gifts. Rest in peace.

I hope they've revived The Raccoonists.

22 hours ago, Chez said:

NFF Day 2:

 

Indigo De Souza

The Hold Steady

Angel Olsen

Aimee Mann

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit

And More . . .

How was Angel Olsen? I have a chance to see her soon.

What a great lineup! Both days.

I admired his songwriting. Rest in peace, Randy.

This is great stuff!

I miss talking about politics here, even when there were opposing views. It's too important a subject, especially lately.

How are you feeling? Personally I can't wait for trump to be kicked to any available curb, along with his sick, disturbed friends and cohorts. It can't happen soon enough. I'm so exhausted by....this.

EDIT: THESE TICKETS HAVE BEEN CLAIMED.

Anyone out there need tickets to this show on Wednesday? A friend has a family medical emergency & can't use her 4 tickets.

Free to good homes! Let me know if you're interested. 

The proof is in the butterscotch pudding

7 hours ago, u2roolz said:

 

edited for justice purposes: what about National Butterscotch Pudding Day? 

I have a box of butterscotch pudding signed by Jeff Tweedy at the end of the YHF Tour. True story! 

You were never obnoxious, TCP! Thanks for being here with us!

Your reviews are always a great read, Bbop, but I think taming Tatlock's cowlick is probably hopeless. Just make him button his shirt up. 

HAPPY FATHER"S DAY GUYS! 

15 minutes ago, ladyC said:

Iris DeMent!

Have a wonderful show!

13 hours ago, brownie said:

Wednesday was the worst day here.  The sky was orange in the afternoon with visibility of feet. I’ve never experienced anything like it before. It looked like the apocalypse out there. I have lots of KN95 masks left from the pandemic, so wore one while I was out driving (!) and that thankfully eliminated the burning stench. 

 

It was much better yesterday and looks to be fairly normal out there this morning.

I'm glad you're breathing easier! I hope that means the Canadian fires are beginning to be brought under control. The world has GOT to realize that climate change dangers don't recognize political borders. We're all in this danger together.

2 hours ago, Brian F. said:

 

By the way, I know you mean you have an Android phone, but I enjoy imagining that you have an actual android. 

Ok, it worked perfectly on my PC. Thanks!
And yes, didn't The Jetsons promise us all our own android? Where's my housecleaning Rosie and my damned flying car?

And everywhere else! Sending love and a big gust of fresh air to everyone choking and gasping in the northeast of the country. I hope you are all managing to stay indoors and avoid the worst effects of the smoke. What an ugly, scary situation. 

4 hours ago, Brian F. said:

Scribex6, you're my hero! I looked at that map this morning and never thought to hover over the seats. Now that I see that it has seat numbers when you do that, it turns out that all of my Ace seats are either right on the aisle or two seats off the aisle.

Hovering how? I'm at this & even basically know where my seat is, but all I can seem to see is the view from what I believe to be my seat. Explain it to me like I'm 5. 

Are you looking on a PC or iphone? I have an android and I see no seat numbers.