nodep5 Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 I watched Farm Aid last weekend and then read the reviews of the Memphis show and it seems Jeff may be getting tired of some of the absurdities of the road (whether it is following Gretchen Wilson or dealing with drunk/annoying fans). My dream scenario is that the entire band becomes disenchanted with the never ending tour, shuts it down, and labors in the studio for a few years. I mean cmon, I imagine the majority of us on here have seen wilco live close to 10 times. I think I've seen them on every tour except the current one. I will always go see Wilco if given the chance, but we all know it is getting a little predictable, losing its edge and the studio albums (at least the last one) seems like a collection of songs instead of a statement. This is my little dream for my favorite band. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speed Racer Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Studio band "again"? I think playing live is really what energizes each member of the band, which is probably why this incarnation has lasted so long. That being said, I look forward to the day when an 88 year-old Tweedy and a 93 year-old Rick Rubin release a really awesome Tweedy solo album. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LouieB Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 That being said, I look forward to the day when an 88 year-old Tweedy and a 93 year-old Rick Rubin release a really awesome Tweedy solo album.I am hoping he doesn't wait THAT long. I think a solo Tweedy album is in order much sooner than that. LouieB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Touring is what pays the bills. They'll never shut it down completely. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speed Racer Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 I am hoping he doesn't wait THAT long. I think a solo Tweedy album is in order much sooner than that. Of course not. There will be ones before that, but this one will be the penultimate retrospective that wins him five Grammys and an insightful music video for his touching cover of Kingston Stefani Rossdale's 2042 hit song, "Lavendar." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 I watched Farm Aid last weekend and then read the reviews of the Memphis show and it seems Jeff may be getting tired of some of the absurdities of the road (whether it is following Gretchen Wilson or dealing with drunk/annoying fans). My dream scenario is that the entire band becomes disenchanted with the never ending tour, shuts it down, and labors in the studio for a few years. I mean cmon, I imagine the majority of us on here have seen wilco live close to 10 times. I think I've seen them on every tour except the current one. I will always go see Wilco if given the chance, but we all know it is getting a little predictable, losing its edge and the studio albums (at least the last one) seems like a collection of songs instead of a statement. This is my little dream for my favorite band. While this paints with some broad-ass strokes ("I imagine the majority of us on here have seen wilco live close to 10 times"? really?), I totally dig the sentiment. I think it would be crazy awesome. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speed Racer Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 we all know it is getting a little predictable As someone who has all the pre-2004 live shows, and nearly every DVD in The DVD Project, I can say with confidence that every era, including both solo shows and Wilco shows, has set lists trends. At the time, they might have been "unpredictable," but in 1997 it was fair to expect a Casino Queen/Dueling Banjos/three other songs mash-up, trash talk from Jeff and a fair amount of (the same) covers each night (Daniel Johnston, Will You Still Love Me?, Immigrant Song, etc.), give or take a few surprises (surprises not unlike Memphis last night, or the covers streak in 2004/2005). Edited to add: If you listen to a streak of four or five shows in a row from any given tour since 1995, you're likely to hear Tweedy tell the same anecdote each night in various incarnations, trying to perfect the joke or changing it for a given venue. Wild change-ups each night take a lot of energy and aren't really sustainable; it makes sense that all live bands really do play a predictable set per tour. That being said, I've come to think of this touring era (2007ish - present) as Wilco's Rolling Thunder Review. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
myboyblue Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 I am hoping he doesn't wait THAT long. I think a solo Tweedy album is in order much sooner than that. LouieBI can't believe that Tweedy has held out this long with a solo album. I'd love to see him put something stripped down, acoustic, out and tour smaller venues for a year or so. Touring is what pays the bills. They'll never shut it down completely.This! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
M. (hristine Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 I can't believe that Tweedy has held out this long with a solo album. I'd love to see him put something stripped down, acoustic, out and tour smaller venues for a year or so. This! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nodep5 Posted October 12, 2009 Author Share Posted October 12, 2009 I mean if we are being honest, don't we worry a little about Wilco becoming DMB, where it is all tour and little else? Maybe I'm alone here? I know it pays the bills, but it is unsustainable anyway, unless you are the Rolling Stones (Wilco is not the Rolling Stones, and who wants that 20 years from now?) I'm not suggesting recreate YHF, because I get tired of that thought and I am one who loves SBS. I'm just voicing concern with the priorities of the band at this point. Not that that is my issue to care about. It is all just getting a little comfortable and expected. I'm glad that their career has taken the trajectory it has, they deserve it. Just don't cash in all the chips. Wilco is great when they leaving you guessing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Preferred B Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 It's kind of funny that this thread talks about the band being predictable live, and also cites the Memphis show and reviews (talking about the crowd, not the setlist) ... without bringing up the fact that they debuted a song (non-acoustic) and busted out a Big Star cover at that show. They really can't win. As for the dream studio scenario, hey, who knows? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speed Racer Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 don't we worry a little about Wilco becoming DMB, where it is all tour and little else? Maybe I'm alone here? DMB is still releasing albums regularly. I was as shocked as you are to find that out. also cites the Memphis show and reviews (talking about the crowd, not the setlist) ... without bringing up the fact that they debuted a song (non-acoustic) and busted out a Big Star cover at that show. Yo, I brought that up! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Synthesizer Patel Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 i think it would be nice, but i sadly think that they're going to end up doing what most bands do - which is gradually make less interesting new material, slowly lose their peripheral fanbase, and eventually tour playing the hits - with a couple of new songs chucked in every now and again. that's the way of most bands, and only a very very small minority don't do this. i think i'll give them one more album, and if i don't like it, i'll stop thinking about them as a contemporary band - and just as a band from the past, so i'd assume lots of other people will probably do a similar thing. nothing lasts for ever. not even my posts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Preferred B Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Yo, I brought that up!Ah, sorry I missed that - I was thinking of the original post in the thread. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nodep5 Posted October 12, 2009 Author Share Posted October 12, 2009 DMB is still releasing albums regularly. I was as shocked as you are to find that out. My point exactly. I know DMB is still putting out albums. I think I heard a new single a few months back that was actually listenable. But overall it is just about putting something out every few years to justify the endless tour. As far as the setlists and that proving that they are not predictable. I agree on the surface they mix it up musically. I'm speaking of the whole vibe. It seems like paint by numbers Wilco show. The songs may change, but the show itself is the same. Even more, as much as I love the guitar work and feel of "impossible germany" and a few other newer songs live, I personally feel that they kind of damage some of the older material. Now that last bit is just my opinion obviously, but I kind of feel this lineup needs a break from the constant touring. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speed Racer Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 But overall it is just about putting something out every few years to justify the endless tour. How do you know? Just because you may not like DMB, or may not like new Wilco material, does not mean either band takes studio time or songwriting any less seriously. There is a huge difference between their intent and your perception of their intent. Both are perfectly valid, but don't try to define their intent based on your perception of the matter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Synthesizer Patel Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 yeah! i intended to be on time the other night, damn it! but, certain things just got in the way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Alan Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Wild change-ups each night take a lot of energy and aren't really sustainable; it makes sense that all live bands really do play a predictable set per tour. lol wut? Phish and Pearl Jam do a pretty good job of mixing things up, especially Phish. The Grateful Dead did it for years as well so I don't know how you cna say it's not sustainable and that "all live bands really do play a predictable set per tour". I mean I might know I'm going to get a few new songs from Phish and I always know there are certain songs they'll play more often than others, but they do a great job of keeping it interesting and give a reason to see them multiple times per tour. I've seen 4 Phish shows so far this year and I've already seen 80 different songs. After the 3 shows I see in Nov that number will be well over 100. So don't tell me bands don't change things up or that it isn't sustainable. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speed Racer Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 So don't tell me bands don't change things up or that it isn't sustainable. Okay. It's not sustainable for Wilco, or it's not preferred by Wilco. But the majority of live bands (including lots of great live bands) play pretty predictable sets per night per tour. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 After thoroughly enjoying the show Friday night in Dallas, I'm not sure what all the hand-wringing is all about. After having seen Impossible Germany and Hate it Here countless times before, the treatment and playing on these two songs were more intense and better than anything I had previously heard from them. The new songs keep getting better and better live (although I still want to desperately see Deeper Down), and the older stuff sounds better or has new wrinkles thrown in. The Hoodoo Voodoo dueling guitars is practically a necessary concert staple it's so good. Not to mention the fact that I like the new album. I enjoy seeing the band enjoy themselves on stage along with Jeff's dry wit. And unless I have some high chick behind me constantly touching me after her and her boyfriend barged through the crowd right before Wilco took the stage or some older couple do the same thing and stop right in front of us to the point where my the woman's large purse was in my wife's face...I don't really notice the crowd. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Alan Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Okay. It's not sustainable for Wilco, or it's not preferred by Wilco. But the majority of live bands (including lots of great live bands) play pretty predictable sets per night per tour.I think it could be sustainable for Wilco, they could do it if they wanted. Unfortunately they are happy playing similar sets night after night. And I don't really care what a majority of live bands do. They could all make their shows better and give their fans more reasons to come to shows if they got creative. Hell even Bob Dylan will change up his sets from night to night. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bleedorange Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 I think it could be sustainable for Wilco, they could do it if they wanted. Unfortunately they are happy playing similar sets night after night. And I don't really care what a majority of live bands do. They could all make their shows better and give their fans more reasons to come to shows if they got creative. Hell even Bob Dylan will change up his sets from night to night. A change just to change things up isn't a good thing, though. The only dud of the night Friday was Cars Can't Escape. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speed Racer Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 I think it could be sustainable for Wilco, they could do it if they wanted. Unfortunately they are happy playing similar sets night after night. The second sentence is why I think that the first clause of your first sentence is untrue. They are most sustainable when they are happy. When they want to change, they will. They go through runs of predictable sets, and they change that run to a different run when they tire of the first (except, as we've noted, for exceptional sets here and there like Memphis last night). That pattern has sustained the band since its inception. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Alan Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 The second sentence is why I think that the first clause of your first sentence is untrue. They are most sustainable when they are happy. When they want to change, they will. They go through runs of predictable sets, and they change that run to a different run when they tire of the first (except, as we've noted, for exceptional sets here and there like Memphis last night). That pattern has sustained the band since its inception.I said COULD be sustainable, COULD. If they weren't already happy being boring. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nodep5 Posted October 12, 2009 Author Share Posted October 12, 2009 How do you know? Just because you may not like DMB, or may not like new Wilco material, does not mean either band takes studio time or songwriting any less seriously. There is a huge difference between their intent and your perception of their intent. Both are perfectly valid, but don't try to define their intent based on your perception of the matter. Well, of course I don't know. And I don't like DMB, but I never said I didn't like the latest Wilco album material. I enjoy Wilco (the album). It is my least favorite Wilco record but I enjoy it. As far as my perception. Yes my perception is that if you tour 9months out of the year and check into a sweet studio in New Zealand for two weeks to record an album, your priorities seem obvious. This is where the fact checkers will come in and say that Wilco use to play 200 shows a year and they only took 1 1/2 weeks to record AM. And the facts are cool i guess, but it just seems skewed to the tour now. Or maybe I'm just romanticizing studio wankery after watching the making of Dark Side of the Moon the other night. Either way, I want to see a picture of the band laboring over a mixing board. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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