Looking for Jeff quotes on influences or bands he likes

[rabramson]

Hello everyone,

 

I run a site at http://rocktorch.com that focuses on artists recommending other acts.

 

Does anyone know of any any Tweedy quotes where he mentions artists/bands that move him?

 

Thanks,

 

Randy

Editor, http://rocktorch.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rock-Torch/151007369879

[Robby]

There are several references in the book Learning To Die by Greg Kot as it concerns Jeff Tweedy's musical influences.

I recall that he mentioned that since he was the youngest in his family, he was initially influenced by the music of his older siblings.

I remember he mentioned Between The Buttons by The Rolling Stones which I thought was surprising.

I also remember a reference in the book to him being influenced by The Minutmen which to me seems to make more sense.

[bböp]

It's about 10 years old now, but there's a book called Listen To This in which Jeff and a ton of other cool artists cite records that influenced them. Here's a link to the listing on Amazon.

 

I also remember a short Spin feature on "Records That Changed My Life" from a few years back in which Jeff mentions a few pivotal records for him. Can't find a link -- I have a physical copy of it somewhere -- but I'm pretty sure that among the records he cited were the Minutemen's "What Makes a Man Start Fires?" and Slovenly's "Riposte" along with "Between The Buttons" by the Stones.

[Lotti]

Friends, here is famous record of time when Mr Jeff Tweedy made a little chink in his armour of usual style of enigma and ultimate secrecy of plan to follow special pop theory of Mr Stig Anderson as pie in ear for world success. Maybe Mr Jeff Tweedy was in happy time of the schnapps at this moment. Ha ha!

 

“The way I see it, Abba made Dancing Queen and, from that moment on, every musician who has heard it faces the struggle to come to terms with their own imperfection. Dancing Queen is just so glorious. After some time I have finally figured out how to play it on an acoustic guitar. If nothing else, it means that Abba and I can share just a little common ground.” Jeff Tweedy, Wilco

 

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article1772620.ece

 

Believe! Welfare.

[stagerug]

Friends, here is famous record of time when Mr Jeff Tweedy made a little chink in his armour of usual style of enigma and ultimate secrecy of plan to follow special pop theory of Mr Stig Anderson as pie in ear for world success. Maybe Mr Jeff Tweedy was in happy time of the schnapps at this moment. Ha ha!

 

“The way I see it, Abba made Dancing Queen and, from that moment on, every musician who has heard it faces the struggle to come to terms with their own imperfection. Dancing Queen is just so glorious. After some time I have finally figured out how to play it on an acoustic guitar. If nothing else, it means that Abba and I can share just a little common ground.” Jeff Tweedy, Wilco

 

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article1772620.ece

 

Believe! Welfare.

 

I know what I'm going to request at the next solo show. I Believe!

[Smokestack Joe]

back around the release of Being There, Wilco performed with Roger McGuinn. I think the concert was on VH1. He mentioned how he listened to the Byrds all the time while driving in his car during High School. HE said thats how he learned to harmonize.

[thagle]

I can't remember the exact date but there was a Rolling Stone article the release of YHF where he was singing the praises of Sonny and Cher

[GtrPlyr]

I posted this in another thread awhile back:

 

 

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d76/GtrP...stentoThis6.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d76/GtrP...stentoThis7.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d76/GtrP...stentoThis8.jpg

[Dude]

Here's a pretty recent interview on who influenced his singing:

 

http://cincinnati.metromix.com/music/article/jeff-tweedy-the-interview/1238829/content

 

What were you hoping to sound like, in your early days, before you started belting it out yourself?

 

Otis Redding! But that was not in the cards for me, in the hand I was dealt. Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Paul Westerberg, the Beatles, Joe Strummer, Kinks. Not usually country guys, but John Prine maybe—guys who had to struggle with some limitations, I identified with them. Jonathan Richman, for instance. I’ve always liked the guys where you go, “He’s opening his mouth, I should pay attention.” When I’m on onstage, I’m supposed to be saying something to somebody.

[bböp]

I posted this in another thread awhile back:

 

Yep, that's the entry from Listen To This.

[jc4prez]

Here's a pretty recent interview on who influenced his singing:

 

http://cincinnati.metromix.com/music/article/jeff-tweedy-the-interview/1238829/content

 

What were you hoping to sound like, in your early days, before you started belting it out yourself?

 

Otis Redding! But that was not in the cards for me, in the hand I was dealt. Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Paul Westerberg, the Beatles, Joe Strummer, Kinks. Not usually country guys, but John Prine maybe—guys who had to struggle with some limitations, I identified with them. Jonathan Richman, for instance. I’ve always liked the guys where you go, “He’s opening his mouth, I should pay attention.” When I’m on onstage, I’m supposed to be saying something to somebody.

 

Jeff your full of shit. These days I'd say he is a better singer then anybody he named (minus paul or john, lennon that is). I wouldn't even put him past to pull of some Otis Redding tunes.

[SarahC]

wow. so i've looked at that thing before and never realized that my great grandpa is on one of those mountain music compilations Jeff's talking about. how freakin' awesome.

[rabramson]

Thanks so much to everyone who posted in response to my question.

 

Lotti, your suggestion was too good to resist, so that post is live now at http://www.rocktorch.com/

 

I hope you all enjoy http://rocktorch.com and don't forget to friend us in Facebook to get updates in your feed: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rock-Torch/151007369879

 

Thanks again,

 

Randy

Editor, http://rocktorch,com

[luke79]

I met Jeff In L.A. and he was wearing a TSOL hat. Winonna Ryder walked by a few minutes later. Then Peter Buck, then Pete Yorn. Those John Anson Ford Theater shows in 2002 were amazing.

[SteveMck]

"Everything we do is based on The Replacements".

 

He says that prior to busting into Color Me Impressed from a show way back when.

[rabramson]

"Everything we do is based on The Replacements".

 

He says that prior to busting into Color Me Impressed from a show way back when.

 

Wow...I would have loved to see him do anything by the Replacements.

 

I once saw him do "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" which was...great!

 

Randy

http://rocktorch.com

[choo-choo-charlie]

"Everything we do is based on The Replacements".

 

He says that prior to busting into Color Me Impressed from a show way back when.

 

I just listened to that show...it's from 5/10/1997 at the Fillmore, one of the best recordings out there. Lots of great banter. On that note, I just discovered the Maxwell's show from 10/25/1995 the other day too - that's a great recording. A very quiet show w/early, incomplete versions of some Being There tunes. Jeff is playing acoustic the whole time, opens with "Misunderstood" solo w/the verses out of order, Jay Bennett is very subdued in his playing, sounds like Ken Coomer's playing with brushes the whole time - like an enhanced acoustic show. Both are on Owl & Bear.