Former Baseball GReat Dale Murphy's take on Wilco

[Sweet Papa Crimbo]

http://murphtalks.blogspot.com/2011/05/murph-listens-to-what.html

Murph Listens To What?

First, a confession: I have an artsy-craftsy side. This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise—after all, I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. You can't really grow up somewhere like Portland without some of its cultural, um, "quirkiness" rubbing off on you. If you’ve seen the new IFC series "Portlandia," you know exactly what I’m talking about (it's a must-see for Oregonians and non-Oregonians alike, in my opinion.) One of my favorite episodes, “Put a Bird On It,“ illustrates that quirk factor to perfection. I’ve never laughed so hard in my life.

 

Anyway, it’s true, I love the arts in all forms. Musically, I was raised on the Beatles. My sister Sue and I used to go down to our basement and lip sync to whatever the newest Beatles record was at the time. She usually got to be Paul, and I would have to settle for Ringo. (Come to think of it, why’d I pick Ringo when John was available?) My love for the Beatles stayed strong through my early teenage years, but then came the 70s with bands such as CCR, The Moody Blues, Led Zeppelin, America, as well as the whole southern rock movement (the Allman Brothers Band, etc.). I was crazy about them all. The late 70s and early 80s probably deserve a separate post altogether (a cautionary tale about the dangers of polyester and disco), as this was the period when my musical tastes really began to expand. Through it all, though, no matter what else caught my ear, I always came back to the Beatles. They were my bread and butter.

 

Over the years since then, my kids have led me to a wide range of musical styles and artists. These days I really like The Decemberists, The Red River, Kurt Vile, The Raconteurs, Midlake, Local Natives, Band of Horses, Pinback and a long list of others, which brings me to the idea behind this post. A few years ago my son Chad told me that I might like this one particular band—one whose name sounded, to me, more like a brand of refrigerator than a music group. “Wilco,” they were called. He said they had all sorts of 70s soft rock and other classic rock influences going on (“Dad Rock,” in other words). I was intrigued—I fit the fatherly profile after all. He bought me a couple of their albums (Summerteeth and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot) and I gave them a listen. And with Wilco that’s all it takes—one good listen and you're hooked, end of story. I bought Sky Blue Sky soon after and wore that album out, too. I couldn’t get enough.

 

Then, in February of 2008, Chad called and invited Nanc and I to Chicago, where he, his wife Mindy, and our first grandchild, Finn, were living at the time (Chad was getting his Master’s degree at the University of Chicago). He said we should try to visit the same week Wilco would be playing the Riviera (it was apparently part of a five night stand and they’d be playing their entire catalogue). How could I say no? I mean, seeing Wilco in their hometown, at a Chicago landmark no less? This seemed like a no-brainer, so we did it. It’s tough to put into words the experience of seeing them live. “Fun” doesn’t really cut it—maybe “electrifying” would be better. Yeah, electrifying. Wow! I’ve been to a few concerts in my day, but nothing like this. Man, Jeff Tweedy—that guy is the real deal. He’s just…a dude, you know? I mean that as a compliment. Not many other creative geniuses seem as stable and down-to-earth as Jeff Tweedy. I realize that a band’s creative output is sometimes enhanced by the frontman’s (or frontwoman’s) eccentricities. And, it’s true, sometimes an off-kilter view of the world can lead to unique and memorable art. I get that. But Jeff Tweedy proves it doesn’t always have to be that way. He has an amazing ability to create music that resonates with a huge range of people without being someone that’s impossible for regular folks to relate to.

 

To me, Wilco isn’t just a throwback to classic rock; they are classic rock, often doing it even better than those who influenced them in the first place. I can’t really explain this in musical or technical terms, so let me illustrate with an example. I had a business meeting a few days ago, and as I walked in I heard some familiar music playing in the background. My first thought was, “Hey, that’s cool, they’re playing some Wilco.” But then, after a few seconds, I realized it was a Beatles song from Abbey Road. It caught me by surprise—I couldn’t believe how much they sounded like each other. And that gave me an idea.

 

I decided to make a Wilco-Beatles playlist (Beatco, I called it) on my iPhone. With the meeting about to start, I hurriedly picked out songs from Abbey Road, Magical Mystery Tour (“Strawberry Fields”), Sgt. Pepper (“Getting Better”) and mixed them in with tracks from Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Sky Blue Sky, Summerteeth (“She’s a Jar”), and Wilco, the Album ("Wilco"). I got it together just in time for our lunch break, went out to my car and popped in my newly created Beatco album. That afternoon, on the drive home after the meeting, more Beatco. Running errands later that afternoon—more Beatco. Needless to say, it was amazing. Maybe the best playlist of all time.

 

A few thoughts hit me during “Heavy Metal Drummer.” They were confirmed after listening again to the “Impossible Germany”-“Polythene Pam”- “You Are My Face”-“She Came In Through The Bathroom Window”-“Sky Blue Sky”-“Golden Slumbers”-“Hate It Here”-“Carry That Weight”-“On And On” portion of the playlist. Here’s what I realized, plain as day:

 

1. Beatco was the album that Abbey Road wishes it was.

 

2. Jeff Tweedy has the voice Sir Paul wishes he had.

 

3. Nels Cline is the session guitarist the Beatles should have had. I mean, c’mon, have you heard those solos on Sky Blue Sky? Put him on some Beatles albums and we’d be talking about Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, BB King, Duane Allman, and Nels Cline. And not necessarily in that order.

 

So there you have it. That’s my Wilco story. “Dad Rock”? Maybe. “More Classic than Most Classic Rock”? Definitely.

[The High Heat]

That cool blogger being former Atlanta Braves All Star Dale Murphy.

[choo-choo-charlie]

That cool blogger being former Atlanta Braves All Star Dale Murphy.

 

*NERD ALERT*

 

Whenever I hear the name Dale Murphy, my first thought is always RBI Baseball on original Nintendo. He was almost guaranteed to knock one out of the park every time.

[Sweet Papa Crimbo]

That cool blogger being former Atlanta Braves All Star Dale Murphy.

 

I guess I assumed that it would speak for itself. But Yeah...Former Atlanta Braves great Dale Murphy digs Wilco.

 

I went ahead and changed the thread title...you shamed me into it HH

[The High Heat]

I guess I assumed that it would speak for itself. But Yeah...Former Atlanta Braves great Dale Murphy digs Wilco.

 

I went ahead and changed the thread title...you shamed me into it HH

Somehow I imagine Murph listening to hymns and chamber music...stereotyping, I know.

 

 

 

*might want to fix the thread title again*

[calvino]

That's cool. I remembering getting Murhpy's rookie card when I was a kid, it was one of my most prized possessions for a while. Even bought a special case for it. All my cards are still at my parents house - need to dig them out. Nice to know he has a good taste in music.

[u2roolz]

*NERD ALERT*

 

Whenever I hear the name Dale Murphy, my first thought is always RBI Baseball on original Nintendo. He was almost guaranteed to knock one out of the park every time.

 

This was the much better game in my opinion :

 

The American Dreams had Hall Of Famers who all hit HRs almost every time. Easy play maneuvering. An All-Female team and Japanese team too. I'd buy a Nintendo system just to play this game.

[jff]

I met him once. He was the star attraction at a charity aerobi-thon that my mom and her friends were part of.

[Sweet Papa Crimbo]

This was the much better game in my opinion :

 

The American Dreams had Hall Of Famers who all hit HRs almost every time. Easy play maneuvering. An All-Female team and Japanese team too. I'd buy a Nintendo system just to play this game.

 

I met him once. He was the star attraction at a charity aerobi-thon that my mom and her friends were part of.

 

Focus People...FOCUS

[stooka]

Focus People...FOCUS

 

no kidding

 

I would disagree and think Abbey Road is fine the way it is.

Glad he's such a big fan though...

 

Wonder what Dale would think of a Wilco/Kinks mix. Village Green/Muswell Hillbillies era, of course!

[jff]

 

I would disagree and think Abbey Road is fine the way it is.

 

 

Maxwell's Silver Hammer is horrible. Swap it with just about any Wilco tune, or Monkees tune for that mattter, and you have a better album.

[u2roolz]

Focus People...FOCUS

 

Oops! Sorry about that my fine sir. How can I make it up to you?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzkttsSTBdQ

Choo-Choo was right!

[stooka]

Maxwell's Silver Hammer is horrible. Swap it with just about any Wilco tune, or Monkees tune for that mattter, and you have a better album.

 

In your opinion of silly imaginary possibilities, yes.

[jff]

In your opinion of silly imaginary possibilities, yes.

 

It's on topic.

[choo-choo-charlie]

This was the much better game in my opinion :

 

The American Dreams had Hall Of Famers who all hit HRs almost every time. Easy play maneuvering. An All-Female team and Japanese team too. I'd buy a Nintendo system just to play this game.

 

Oh I agree. Once Baseball Stars came out there was no turning back. My brother and I locked ourselves away in the basement to play long enough to buy one of those superstars with the $999,999 salary -- a figure so insignificant now -- and build up our own custom team. But the American Dreams did rule all. Enjoyed matchups with the brothers, one picking the Japanese team and the other playing with the Ninja Blacksox.

 

MUST...FIND...NINTENDO...

 

Oops! Sorry about that my fine sir. How can I make it up to you?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzkttsSTBdQ

Choo-Choo was right!

 

Ah, memories.

[The High Heat]

I've done the Wilco/Beatles mix. If I remember right it was a combo of YHF, AGB, White Album, Sgt. Pepper's, second half of Abbey Road and Tomorrow Never Knows. I'll have to dig it out and give it a spin.

[Sparky speaks]

I guess this is legit. The Brewers are into Wilco also...

 

My link

[Sweet Papa Crimbo]

I've done the Wilco/Beatles mix. If I remember right it was a combo of YHF, AGB, White Album, Sgt. Pepper's, second half of Abbey Road and Tomorrow Never Knows. I'll have to dig it out and give it a spin.

 

Just what is the mix?

[DewieCox]

Oh I agree. Once Baseball Stars came out there was no turning back. My brother and I locked ourselves away in the basement to play long enough to buy one of those superstars with the $999,999 salary -- a figure so insignificant now -- and build up our own custom team. But the American Dreams did rule all. Enjoyed matchups with the brothers, one picking the Japanese team and the other playing with the Ninja Blacksox.

 

MUST...FIND...NINTENDO...

 

 

 

Ah, memories.

 

NICE!!!! Baseball Stars is probably the best baseball game I've ever played. It blew my mind that you could climb the wall and rob homers. I would always make a team loaded with 89 max guys.

[Sweet Papa Crimbo]

Somehow I imagine Murph listening to hymns and chamber music...stereotyping, I know.

 

 

 

*might want to fix the thread title again*

 

Geez...

 

FIXED

[Beltmann]

I guess this is legit. The Brewers are into Wilco also...

 

My link

Reading through that, I kept feeling skeptical. Still, as a massive, lifetime fan of the Brewers, I hope (and will pretend) that every word is factual.

[bleedorange]

Man, I loved Baseball Stars. I still have my old Nintendo, but lost that game. Maybe I need to mosey on over to ebay.

[Beltmann]

I had a Sega Master System, and wore out Great Baseball and Reggie Jackson Baseball. Spent hour after hour jotting down stats, too. I still have that system packed in a box in the basement. Wonder if it still works...

 

[bleedorange]

I had a Sega Master System, and wore out Great Baseball and Reggie Jackson Baseball. Spent hour and after hour jotting down stats, too. I still have that system packed in a box in the basement. Wonder if it still works...

 

 

I kept stats with Tecmo Bowl and RBI Baseball.

[The High Heat]

Geez...

 

FIXED

Well, Caliber's not hardly around anymore to point out such things. Actually, I was just busting your baseballs.

 

I still haven't found the Wilco/Beatles cd mix yet, probably because I haven't looked for it. I've been working. I have it on a playlist on my old broken computer, so that's no help. I do remember not being 100% statsified with it. I think mostly it was the difference in audio levels in the older Beatles tracks and the modern Wilco productions.

 

 

I remember Dale Murphy as one of the best players in the game with the Braves, as an average player with the Phils, and for signing with the original Rockies team in '93 needing only two home runs to reach 400 for his career. He failed to hit any in the thin Denver air of Mile High Stadium despite being given ample oppurtunity to do so before the Rockies were forced to cut him. If Murph wasn't so humble, his stint in Colorado would have brought him there.