Synthesizer Patel Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Because the songs don't require it? Bull Black Nova and Solitaire are both songs that I think would suffer greatly with facny background vocals - they're isolation songs. W(TS) has good backgrounds, and I don't see any need to add anything more interesting. You & I is a 'she/him' kinda You & I, and I think that song would lose its impact with John or Pat picking up the backing vocals - again, it's either an 'us' song (enter Feist, who I think is just swell on this track) or a 'me to you' song (no backgrounds). I'm thinking back to Summerteeth, which I think has the most interesting background vocals of any Wilco record (call and response stuff, and for lack of a better word, 'flair'), and I just don't know that any of the songs would have been bolstered by this kind of treatment. I'm glad they're doing less of the CSNY-style wall vocals than SBS (YAMF was great, but that stuff gets old). I don't think it's got anything to do with the music requiring it or not, it's just not what they do. It's not like Nels gets told he has to play kazoo on this track, cos it doesn't need lead guitar. They play the songs in a pretty formulaic way, in that sense. There are also quite a few soul songs with lots and lots of backing singing on them which seem able to express the feelings of isolation and whatever else you think those songs are about - so background singing hardly prevents those kinds of emotions coming through - if anything it tends to heighten it. Link to post Share on other sites
Synthesizer Patel Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I think John Stirratt has a take on his harmonies that has been as much of Wilco's sound as anything else. He is the perfect counterpoint to Tweedy -- when backing vocals are needed. I wouldn't change a thing in that regards. They've expanded upon it when need be for the sound (Summerteeth, and with a few of the new tracks). I don't think they've ever expanded on it, not even on Summerteeth - that's still just bog-standard background singing really. Link to post Share on other sites
Preferred B Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Double tracking Jeff's own vocals on a song called Solitaire seems fitting. I know you weren't specifically talking about that one, but anyhow. Link to post Share on other sites
Synthesizer Patel Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Double tracking Jeff's own vocals on a song called Solitaire seems fitting. I know you weren't specifically talking about that one, but anyhow. well i was also thinking about how they've got a song called Wilco (The Song) which is fun and could easily get away with something a bit different vocally, and only Jeff is allowed to sing. They could have easily taken turns singing lines and mixing it up a bit, a bit like old bands like The Band used to do. It would have also been fun to have heard the song split up in a way that allowed all the members to come to the fore for a time, a bit like Dance To The Music by Sly & The Family Stone, type of thing - it's not like the lyrics are that good that they couldn't have been reworked around that notion. Link to post Share on other sites
Preferred B Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 well i was also thinking about how they've got a song called Wilco (The Song) which is fun and could easily get away with something a bit different vocally, and only Jeff is allowed to sing. They could have easily taken turns singing lines and mixing it up a bit, a bit like old bands like The Band used to do. It would have also been fun to have heard the song split up in a way that allowed all the members to come to the fore for a time, a bit like Dance To The Music by Sly & The Family Stone, type of thing - it's not like the lyrics are that good that they couldn't have been reworked around that notion.Oh man. Now all I can think about are horrible 80s/early 90s songs that do this. Color Me Badd had a song on their first (only?) album. The lyrics included something like "We'd like to introduce us ... we're Color Me Bad the funky new baaand!" They even mentioned their record company. The chorus was just the band name repeated a bunch of times. (Forgive me, I was about 10 when it came out.) Also there was a NKOTB song where they all introduced themselves. I think it was a rap. On their first album. Not sure if they all sang. OMG, these are the precursors to Wilco (the song)! Oh holy shit, someone was mentioning that it's never been done before but it totally has! Oh noooo. Now I'm going to be imagining the songs superimposed on one another. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jules Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I like "You and I", but when I first heard it all I could think about was Elton John and Kiki Dee. Link to post Share on other sites
Dude Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 well i was also thinking about how they've got a song called Wilco (The Song) which is fun and could easily get away with something a bit different vocally, and only Jeff is allowed to sing. They could have easily taken turns singing lines and mixing it up a bit, a bit like old bands like The Band used to do. It would have also been fun to have heard the song split up in a way that allowed all the members to come to the fore for a time, a bit like Dance To The Music by Sly & The Family Stone, type of thing - it's not like the lyrics are that good that they couldn't have been reworked around that notion. Everyone taking lead on Wilco (The Song) would be extremely cheesy in my opinion, which also happens to be fact. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speed Racer Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 well i was also thinking about how they've got a song called Wilco (The Song) which is fun and could easily get away with something a bit different vocally, and only Jeff is allowed to sing. They could have easily taken turns singing lines and mixing it up a bit, a bit like old bands like The Band used to do. It would have also been fun to have heard the song split up in a way that allowed all the members to come to the fore for a time, a bit like Dance To The Music by Sly & The Family Stone, type of thing - it's not like the lyrics are that good that they couldn't have been reworked around that notion. They also could start choreographing dance routines during jams, but that ain't likely to happen. They've never traded vocals before, and I really don't think it would contribute anything but a big giant "NOVELTY!" sign to any of the songs. I like "You and I", but when I first heard it all I could think about was Elton John and Kiki Dee. Good lord, that's all I could think about walking to the coffee shop yesterday morning! Link to post Share on other sites
Synthesizer Patel Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 It is cheesy as it is. Like I said - it could been Dance To The Music style good, it's not it'd be doomed to failure just for trying. Also maybe it could've been this type of level of goodness: The Turtles - I'm Chief Kamanawanalea (We're the Royal Macadamia Nuts) That type of thing. Link to post Share on other sites
Preferred B Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Everyone taking lead on Wilco (The Song) would be extremely cheesy in my opinion, which also happens to be fact. New Kids on the Block (yes, it's a self-titled song) We know you've heard this beat many, many timesBut we bet you've never heard it with such a vicious rhymeA rhyme with class and plenty of cloutTo show you sucker m.c.'s what it's aboutWe hear the same stories everywhere we goHey, it's nynuk who stole the showSo for all you party people who are in a state of shockWe're the new kids on the block! Chillin' on the corner, the first day we arrivedfrom the looks of the hoods, we didn't think we'd surviveSecond day we were there, we were walking down the streetWith a rhyme in mind and a funky beat But when we turned into the alley, to our surpriseWe saw a bunch of hoods right before our eyesThey looked us up and down once, twice and againThere must have been a hundred to a hundred and tenSo, I looked over my shoulder right at my friendHe said 'nice knowing you' but this is the end So we battened down the hatches and prepared to fightThen all of a sudden I seen the lightThe time was right, the time to rock'cause everybody knows, we're the new kids on the block. We're also devastating when we're on stageThe fans start screaming and yelling with rageWith mic's in hand and rhymes with cloutSo watch it sucker mcs or we're gonna turn you out We never talk trash, our rhymes are cleanOur rhymes are never vague and we say nothing obsceneSo any sucker mcs who wanna battle usCan you go at least 20 lines without a cuss? Cause once we start to jam, you'll be in a state of shockClear the way party people, we're the new kids on the block Move it sucker mcs or you're gonna feel the wrathSo don't get caught up in the aftermathCause we're the funky mcs of the hip hop crazeOur rhymes are done by law and are sure to amaze With a dj cutting records, steady cross bassWe'll leave all you party people stuck in a dazeI say we're fresh, new and you know it's trueNow let me introduce you to the rest of the crew J, he's fresh. he's the master of mixThere ain't no rhyme that he can't fixSpinster's next, he's the king of the spinAnd if you wanna battle, you ain't gonna win Then there's popeye, but we call him joeThe kid's so fresh, you'll never be boredNext is jon, whose word is trueBut the party people know him as the runner gq I'm dexter p. the wizard of wordI'm the greatest mc that you've ever heardNow that you know we're a gang and you know we don't playWe're the new kids on the block and we're here to stay Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhrock!!! It kind of ruins the point, but I don't think they all take turns singing this song. I think it's mostly Donnie rocking the mic. They all come in one some words for emphasis, though. Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Now I'm totally thinking about Rapper's Delight: "Well, so far you've heard my voice, but I brought five friends along; and next on the mike is my man Nels, so come on, Nels, sing that song..." OK, ouch: We never talk trash' date=' our rhymes are cleanOur rhymes are never vague and we say nothing obsceneSo any sucker mcs who wanna battle usCan you go at least 20 lines without a cuss? Cause once we start to jam, you'll be in a state of shockClear the way party people, we're the new kids on the block[/quote'] Link to post Share on other sites
Synthesizer Patel Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 They also could start choreographing dance routines during jams, but that ain't likely to happen. They've never traded vocals before, and I really don't think it would contribute anything but a big giant "NOVELTY!" sign to any of the songs. Yeah, it'd be just like a Boy Band really. Poets don't share their lyrics with nobody! Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speed Racer Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 It is cheesy as it is. Like I said - it could been Dance To The Music style good, it's not it'd be doomed to failure just for trying. Also maybe it could've been this type of level of goodness: The Turtles - I'm Chief Kamanawanalea (We're the Royal Macadamia Nuts) That type of thing. Your definition of 'good' is queer. My reactions to 'Dance To the Music' are not all that different from what an ulcer feels like, I'm guessing. Link to post Share on other sites
Preferred B Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Now I'm totally thinking about Rapper's Delight: "Well, so far you've heard my voice, but I brought five friends along; and next on the mike is my man Nels, so come on, Nels, sing that song..." HAAAA. Oh no. Between this, NKOTB and Color Me Badd, this song is never going to be the same to me. Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 It is cheesy as it is. Like I said - it could been Dance To The Music style good, it's not it'd be doomed to failure just for trying. Also maybe it could've been this type of level of goodness: The Turtles - I'm Chief Kamanawanalea (We're the Royal Macadamia Nuts) That type of thing. That song is on The Turtles Present the Battle of the Bands - isn't it? Link to post Share on other sites
Synthesizer Patel Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 New Kids on the Block (yes, it's a self-titled song) We know you've heard this beat many, many timesBut we bet you've never heard it with such a vicious rhymeA rhyme with class and plenty of cloutTo show you sucker m.c.'s what it's aboutWe hear the same stories everywhere we goHey, it's nynuk who stole the showSo for all you party people who are in a state of shockWe're the new kids on the block! Chillin' on the corner, the first day we arrivedfrom the looks of the hoods, we didn't think we'd surviveSecond day we were there, we were walking down the streetWith a rhyme in mind and a funky beat But when we turned into the alley, to our surpriseWe saw a bunch of hoods right before our eyesThey looked us up and down once, twice and againThere must have been a hundred to a hundred and tenSo, I looked over my shoulder right at my friendHe said 'nice knowing you' but this is the end So we battened down the hatches and prepared to fightThen all of a sudden I seen the lightThe time was right, the time to rock'cause everybody knows, we're the new kids on the block. We're also devastating when we're on stageThe fans start screaming and yelling with rageWith mic's in hand and rhymes with cloutSo watch it sucker mcs or we're gonna turn you out We never talk trash, our rhymes are cleanOur rhymes are never vague and we say nothing obsceneSo any sucker mcs who wanna battle usCan you go at least 20 lines without a cuss? Cause once we start to jam, you'll be in a state of shockClear the way party people, we're the new kids on the block Move it sucker mcs or you're gonna feel the wrathSo don't get caught up in the aftermathCause we're the funky mcs of the hip hop crazeOur rhymes are done by law and are sure to amaze With a dj cutting records, steady cross bassWe'll leave all you party people stuck in a dazeI say we're fresh, new and you know it's trueNow let me introduce you to the rest of the crew J, he's fresh. he's the master of mixThere ain't no rhyme that he can't fixSpinster's next, he's the king of the spinAnd if you wanna battle, you ain't gonna win Then there's popeye, but we call him joeThe kid's so fresh, you'll never be boredNext is jon, whose word is trueBut the party people know him as the runner gq I'm dexter p. the wizard of wordI'm the greatest mc that you've ever heardNow that you know we're a gang and you know we don't playWe're the new kids on the block and we're here to stay Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhrock!!! It kind of ruins the point, but I don't think they all take turns singing this song. I think it's mostly Donnie rocking the mic. They all come in one some words for emphasis, though. yeah, like i said, or it could be like this: Dance To The Music which pretty much pisses over anything that Wilco (The Song) has in it as it stands - so it's not like it couldn't do with some improving. That song is on The Turtles Present the Battle of the Bands - isn't it? yeah - great album. i think it's sampled in the Beastie Boys song Jimmy James too (i could be wrong, but it's definately a Beastie Boys sample) Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I think Sundazed did a re-issue of it. Link to post Share on other sites
Synthesizer Patel Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Your definition of 'good' is queer. My reactions to 'Dance To the Music' are not all that different from what an ulcer feels like, I'm guessing. wow, no wonder we're on very different pages. Link to post Share on other sites
Edie Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Hey hey we're the Monkees, people say we monkey around, but we're too busy singing, to put anybody down I am not ashamed to say that is from memory Link to post Share on other sites
Synthesizer Patel Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I think Sundazed did a re-issue of it. a while ago - it's pretty hard to find now on cd, actually. goes for about $60 or so, i think. i think the original vinyl goes for much more. Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Dance To The Music which pretty much pisses over anything that Wilco (The Song) has in it as it stands - so it's not like it couldn't do with some improving.I really like Dance to the Music, but I don't know that I can go along with it pissing all over Wilco (The Song). Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speed Racer Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 wow, no wonder we're on very different pages. Well, I'm glad we've cleared that up. Link to post Share on other sites
i'm only sleeping Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I miss from this album more muzzle-of-bees- style fingerpicking, more meandering pianos and, yes, more Nels. Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 a while ago - it's pretty hard to find now on cd, actually. goes for about $60 or so, i think. i think the original vinyl goes for much more. I just bought all of the Sundazed Boxtops re-issues, as well as, the Moby Grape bonus track cd compilation they just put out. I think it would be interesting to hear Wilco do something like that - it would probably be cool in a live setting. Link to post Share on other sites
Synthesizer Patel Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I really like Dance to the Music, but I don't know that I can go along with it pissing all over Wilco (The Song). Because it's trying to be fun and irreverent, and achieves it. But, I don't think Wilco (The Song) does that - certainly not on the same level anyway. I think Wilco would kill for a "Dance To The Music" where they could freestyle and bring the crowd up to high level whenever they felt like it - you can't really see that happening with Wilco (The Song) although it would have been a perfect idea for a song to have attempted that on. Link to post Share on other sites
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