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Nope, she wasn't with them in Vail. A guy whose name I didn't totally catch but might have been Matt was playing lead guitar.

Good to meet you as well. I don't think I even caught your name, though. Sorry about that. It's still a bit awkward when people "recognize" you out of the blue, especially when you're freezing. Glad you survived the cold!

Wilco's final show of 2012 — as the closing act of the three-day Vail Snow Daze festival — was an abbreviated one because of a 10 p.m. curfew, but it proved to be pretty memorable nonetheless. That was due in no small part to the weather conditions, which were what you might expect they would be outdoors at night during winter in a town that's more than 8,000 feet above sea level. It snowed lightly throughout most of the show and was probably 10 degrees (or less) by the time it was over. So needless to say, there were a lot of bundled-up people — both on stage and in the crowd. Jeff played t

It was a nice event to honor 18 years of service by Emanuel Congregation's Cantor Michelle "Shelly" Drucker Friedman. Dexter Walker and Zion Movement, the gospel choir in the peach-colored robes some of whom can be seen in the picture, was pretty awesome. I counted nearly 50 of them, which made for a diverse range of voices that nonetheless blended together beautifully. They played about six songs themselves and then added handclaps, etc., while Jeff and others performed. Jeff himself played four songs, which he said were some of Shelly's favorites among his compositions: Airline To Heaven

Hadn't seen anything about this, so figured I'd post a link (just noticed it's a mobile link so hopefully it works on regular computers, but if not, I'm sure you can find the story on The Hollywood Reporter site)... http://m.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wilco-this-40-judd-apatow-383991

I meant that it's interesting that they're paying tribute to Levon by recreating or re-enacting something that he was never a fan of. And a portion of the proceeds are going to benefit the fund to save his barn and home and keep the Midnight Ramble sessions going. I'm not criticizing it, just trying to point out that it's a little weird that they're choosing to honor Levon by rehashing an event he never really liked. But what else could they do, I guess?

Er, apparently I've been to 600 of those so I guess it's more or less accurate... Sounds like a great way to close out the latest European excursion! Glad you guys got to hang out, and sorry I couldn't be there with you (especially to see some drunken Norwegian Gaslight Anthem fans). I definitely think the European Solid Sound express should happen, though. There are at least a few beering spots in town, O Queenie — and I hope you've arrived back home safely, by the way. All best to Mrs. Queenie.

The irony, of course, being that Levon hated the whole Last Waltz thing...at least according to his memoir.

Yeah, it was interesting when I saw that on the setlist "Wilco" posted on Facebook. I believe Elena is one of the promoters they work with in Spain; the band has sometimes referred to "Olga and Elena" helping them out in Spain in interviews and such. How did she do?

Damn, that's a pricey ticket. I'd hate to see what the going rate is for a "big" foreign act...

They've should've gotten Daan... I saw Sky Blue Sky got played as well, if Wilco's Facebook setlist is to be believed (which sometimes it's not). If so, a couple of pretty good nuggets for Stuttgart. Thanks for the report, O Queenie!

Oh, really? That kind of takes some of the "bite" out of that encore. Too bad...

Scott Amendola just posted on Facebook that the Nels Cline Singers will be doing a four-night residency at Duende in Oakland in January! (It's Jan. 23-26, to be exact.) Crossposting from the event page... "Each night of this residency will feature two sets of music: The first by the trio exploring music new and old; the second collaborating with a different special guest! Special guests to be announced closer to the shows." Ticket info (already on sale) and more details on the gigs here.

My new fave expression...Bloody Dundonians!

Man, he *always* steals my wallet and the will to live...

Ah. I defer to your expertise in all matters Eurosport, sir!

Good find, Major General! Enjoyed reading that. Too bad our resident Scot (aka Señor Queenie) isn't seeing any of these Italian/Spanish gigs, I don't think, so he can report back on his countrymen. I often wonder how the support slots for some of these European shows are doled out. Doesn't seem to be any discernible connection between the HJs and Wilco, so perhaps it's up to the promoters? I see that a different act, Ozark Henry, is slotted to open the upcoming German gigs.

Grazie mille, guys. Or how you say in Deutschland? I wish I could send Lotti in my stead, but I fear that the level of beer consumption might not be the same... To the bigots!

I love Google Translate. "The group will be in ugly." Sounds about right. "...two songs which at the time did talk about for the texts that not all frowned upon. The bigots." Indeed.

I'm not in Italia, much to my chagrin, but noticed that Wilco HQ posted this on Wilcoworld (and tweeted a link to such). So I'm just cross-posting here, though I sort of doubt there will be many comments. But anyone who was there, or can offer some insight about the gig...by all means, chime in! The setlist, as posted on Wilcoworld (I assume it's accurate, though I can't personally verify): One Sunday Morning (Song For Jane Smiley's Boyfriend) Poor Places Art Of Almost I Might At Least That's What You Said Handshake Drugs Wishful Thinking Impossible Germany Born Alone Via Chicago Whole Lov

Thanks, man! Appreciate it.

Just found this one on LP in LA yesterday for 20 bucks! UK Rough Trade pressing. And I saw a test pressing of it in another shop today for 50...

Well, I'm sure plenty of folks will have insights to share about this one so I'll just do the basics for now... The Bowl is a pretty iconic venue, of course, and it was as pleasant a night weather-wise as one could ask for. That said, I'll take two nights (or even one) at a smaller venue any day. Don't get me wrong. The show was absolutely fine and the band played well and played just about everything an average fan would want to hear. But whether it was the decibel limitations, the wide range of people that make up a Bowl audience or the sheer vastness of the place — not to mention coming a

Here's what Jonathan and Tommy played in SLO: My Baby Love Love Loves Me Let Her Go Into The Darkness No One Was Like Vermeer Sa Voix M'Atisse Old World The Bitter Herb "salute to the sun"> I Feel Like A Morning Star (?) He Gave Us The Wine To Taste It (w/Spanish interlude) When We Refuse To Suffer

A few other notes on the show... *The first few songs of the set were a bit marred by Nels' faulty Schroeder amp head, which drained a lot of the power from his guitar. Jeff was looking over a him quite a bit, so you knew something wasn't sounding quite right. And Nels was visibly frustrated as well. He soldiered through the Impossible Germany solo, but by then it was evident that an equipment change was in order. The technical issues did provide a very funny bit of banter, though, when Jeff said, "We're gonna take a minute. Nels needs to swap out his head." When order was restored, Jeff sug