nodep5 Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 I would have felt really weird if I didn't donate the $2. Woody and his legacy has probably made a ton of music I listen to possible in some way. I've only gave the song one listen and I have not complaints. I think sometimes Wilco does this sort of song so effortlessly that you can miss its quality upon first listens. I also love the concept of using a 50 odd year old song to make a current statement. It makes it seem less reactionary and soap boxy in my mind. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lizish Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 As a banker I have donated nothing. good song though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bhickman Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 downloaded and donated $5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
J_Lefty Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 songs like this belong to the album "Random Wilco Shit" LOL... Hilarious. I kind of like the idea of pinning it to a closely related album, but I actually titled mine Roadcase as well. I might add it to the end of W(TA) when it comes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
W(TF) Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 I would have felt really weird if I didn't donate the $2. Woody and his legacy has probably made a ton of music I listen to possible in some way. I've only gave the song one listen and I have not complaints. I think sometimes Wilco does this sort of song so effortlessly that you can miss its quality upon first listens. I also love the concept of using a 50 odd year old song to make a current statement. It makes it seem less reactionary and soap boxy in my mind. +1 x 10 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 As a banker I have donated nothing. good song though. You don't sound very Jolly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 You know, I was thinking: now there are three jolly things: Santa Claus, bankers, and the Green Giant. Hey, it's been a slow brain day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jamieverv Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 You know, I was thinking: now there are three jolly things: Santa Claus, bankers, and the Green Giant. Hey, it's been a slow brain day. This is a great example of an artist matching music to lyrics in the most appropriate way. If you don't like the song, what would you have done to make it better? It is easy to tear down what other artists do, but what would you do to make this song better & more appropriate to fit what Woody Guthrie had intended with the lyrics? Nice job, Wilco. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 This is a great example of an artist matching music to lyrics in the most appropriate way. If you don't like the song, what would you have done to make it better? It is easy to tear down what other artists do, but what would you do to make this song better & more appropriate to fit what Woody Guthrie had intended with the lyrics? Nice job, Wilco. You didn't think I was disparaging the song, did you? Because I love the song & it's been humming in my brain all day long. I was just being silly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OOO Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 This is a great example of an artist matching music to lyrics in the most appropriate way. If you don't like the song, what would you have done to make it better? It is easy to tear down what other artists do, but what would you do to make this song better & more appropriate to fit what Woody Guthrie had intended with the lyrics? Nice job, Wilco. Wilco didn't write the music. Music and lyrics by Woody, unlike Mermaid Ave. P.S. don't mess with kidsmoke, or we'll ALL get you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kidsmoke Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 Ok, well. kidsmoke is genuinely touched by this. Since I was musing in here about things that are jolly I have realized that there are many jolly things I have haplessly forgotten, so see this thread: http://forums.viachicago.org/index.php?showtopic=39802 Which gives vent to more things which are jolly. Perhaps not as jolly as today's bankers, but jolly nonetheless. All I know is, I can't get this tune out of my head! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Pitchfork Reviews Jolly Banker (Gives it a 7). Don't let that quaint waltz-time signature or that singsongy chorus fool you: "The Jolly Banker" is a pretty pissed-off song. Woody Guthrie's Depression-era tune accused bankers of having pretty much every ulterior motive imaginable: "When money you're needin' and mouths you are feedin', I'm a jolly banker, jolly banker am I." It gets worse: "I'll come down and help you/ I'll rape you and scalp you." Like Guthrie, Wilco play it more as lightly satirical than as angrily outraged. As an acoustic guitar strums out a 3/4 beat and the organ and slide guitar careen gently into each other, the lilt of the melody first conceals the banker's wrongdoing, the finally reveals and contrasts their sinister extremes. It could have fit perfectly on either of the Mermaid Avenue albums, although this cover sounds more post-cratered-economy than pre-Y2K. Money where their mouth is: Wilco are offering the song free on the web site, with a suggested donation of $2 to the Woody Guthrie Foundation and Archives. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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