Magnetized Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 My nephew plays guitar and is the co-leader of a local covers band. I've been nagging them for ages to learn some Wilco songs. I think I've finally worn them down to the point where they'll humor me, but I'd like to recommend something that they'll have a good chance of enjoying and playing well. Not being a musician myself, I don't have a good sense of how difficult songs are to play. Also, it's hard for me to tune into what their followers and friends will be likely to enjoy. I've lost all perspective about Wilco, since I love almost everything, but realistically I know some things have a better chance than others of being crowd pleasers. They're a 5 piece band--2 guitars, bass, keyboards and drums primarily, but they can pull out pedal steel, harmonica and fiddles when needed. They play lots of The Band and Phish covers, plus some Clapton, Talking Heads, and lots of other stuff whose source material I don't recognize. The other lead guitarist is a strong singer. My nephew is passable on vocals, but he mainly sings harmony--his strength is guitar. In addition to the main band, my nephew and the other guitarist/singer also play occasionally in an acoustic duo. All the guys are in their late 20s and they have a small local following. I bought the Wilco songbook during the Kung Fu sale and it will probably arrive in time for Thanksgiving, so I can harangue him over turkey and sweet potato pie. The book covers these songs: Box Full of Letters / Passenger Side / Casino Queen / Dash 7 / Misunderstood / Monday / Sunken Treasure / Someone Else's Song / The Lonely 1 / A Shot in the Arm / I'm Always in Love / How to Fight Loneliness / Via Chicago / She's a Jar / Jesus, etc. / Ashes of American Flags / Poor Places / I'm the Man Who Loves You / War on War / Kamera / Heavy Metal Drummer / At Least That's What You Said / Handshake Drugs / Hummingbird / Theologians / The Late Greats / Muzzle of Bees Any suggestions? My first thoughts are Monday, Box Full of Letters, Passenger Side, Handshake Drugs, HMD or ITMWLY. Among more recent songs, maybe I Might or Dawned on Me. Also, I could see them doing Airline to Heaven. Anyway, I may only get one shot at getting to hear them play Wilco, so I'd love to get your thoughts on what might be a winner. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Robby Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Outtasite (Outta Mind) - not in the song book, but I would think that's an easy crowd pleaser.Actually for being in their 20's, I surprised (but very happy to know) they play The Band, Phish, Clapton & Talking Heads! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jcamp Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 I think the Late Greats would be a good choice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LouieB Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Something from AM such as Box Full of Letters or I Must be High, since these are realatively young people. LouieB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
choo-choo-charlie Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 I think A.M. and Being There material is best for what sounds like a good bar band. Casino Queen is a great rocker but it's sung in a very high register. A take on "I'm Always in Love" played with the tempo and energy of the version that Wilco rehearses in the IATTBYH film is also great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
i'm only sleeping Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 California Stars for the 2nd encore Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The High Heat Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Box Full of Letters Are you recording this performance and posting it on here? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Magnetized Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 Thanks, guys. I'm loving these suggestions and I will most definitely record and post the results. Who knows? When I tell them they're going to get all this exposure on the Wilco message board, maybe it will inspire them to new heights. (I may have to go back and edit some of my remarks about my nephew' vocal limitations!) Right now I'm leaning toward I'm Always in Love (great suggestion from the movie--they'll get a kick out of "smoke pot, smoke pot"), California Stars and Box Full of Letters. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GtrPlyr Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuSf2c8fN_g Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I always wanted our band to do Monday (as has been mentioned) but then again we don't have keyboards. With a good keyboard player you have a whole world of possibilities open up. Handshake drugs or Spiders? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
choo-choo-charlie Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I always wanted our band to do Monday (as has been mentioned) but then again we don't have keyboards. With a good keyboard player you have a whole world of possibilities open up. Handshake drugs or Spiders? Both great songs, but I'd almost say that they're more difficult because of the skronky, off-key soloing, which in my mind is more difficult than the classic rock riffs/licks in the earlier tunes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rwilson580 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I've got a Wilco friend who plays lead guitar in a covers band. He keeps talking about adding "I'm a Wheel" to their repertoire. I've never heard them play The Band or Phish though. More like Z.Z. Top.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jules Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 The songbook isn't accurate. FYI. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I second a few of the ones mentioned here: I'm Always In Love, California Stars, and Monday. All good choices. I also used to do How To Fight Loneliness with a buddy of mine, but I would recommend those three first. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DonDon Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 some one elces song Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 "Don't You Honey Me" always works a crowd. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
'61 SG Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 Nothing'severgonnastandinmyway(again) is one I play regularly. Cool rhythm, pretty easy, and a good rocker anywhere in a show. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
choo-choo-charlie Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 ^^^ Great song with LOTS of chords. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
'61 SG Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 ^^^ Great song with LOTS of chords.Lots of chords (8) but the structure is such that the sections are easy to remember and repeats (minus the bridge), I figured it out fairly quick and my brain is junk for remembering songs Quote Link to post Share on other sites
choo-choo-charlie Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 Could be hard to pull off with only one keyboard, though... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stooka Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 I Must Be HighPassenger SideHeavy Metal DrummerBox Full Of Letters These seem to be some of the easiest to play..... Meaning, I can play them!! If these aren't challenging enough, give em AM, Sumerteeth and YHF and turn 'em loose. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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