Jump to content

TWEEDY — 6/6/14, Pittsburgh, PA (Point State Park [Three Rivers Arts Festival])


Recommended Posts

The second performance of the TWEEDY band turned out to be a condensed version of the first, taking place on a gorgeous evening before an appreciative crowd that could hardly have asked for much more with the aforementioned weather and free admission (though Jeff again joked about playing a set of songs that almost nobody had heard in front of a big festival crowd, promising at the outset to play some songs people were more familiar with "but only if you're good.")

 

Personally, the second time hearing some of the new songs (and not worrying so much about deciphering song titles) proved to be beneficial. I stand by my previous assessment of some of the material's more serious themes, but tonight I definitely got a feeling of some of the Beatles' 70s solo records with some of the arrangements and backing harmonies. A friend had mentioned McCartney to me after hearing "I'll Sing It," which once again wasn't played, and I can see some of Macca's solo records as well as George Harrison's in terms of an overall live vibe. That could be way off base on my part, but at any rate, that's what went through my head tonight.

 

Who knows what the TWEEDY record will ultimately sound like, but though Jeff is playing mostly acoustic guitar in the live performances, the arrangements are far from folky. It's interesting (to me, anyway) that so far Jeff hasn't played harmonica at all on the new songs and doesn't seem likely to. On the contrary, to my ears at least, there's a almost little bit of a light psych sound rather than a twangy one to some of these songs.

 

Anyway, some funny banter and interaction with the crowd tonight. Jeff, who seemed to be in a great mood, once again joked about leading a cult, only this time it was talk of "putting on our ponchos and riding our scooters into the desert" or something like that.

 

And he talked about how the new song "Flowering" was about Spencer "flowering into a man." There was some subsequent joking about too much information and Jeff lobbed a wisecrack back toward the drums. But he quickly reversed himself, saying he was "used to being able to take shots at Glenn but I forgot (Spencer) is really sweet and much better than I am, which is the dream of every father...except those that suck."

 

Oh, and I almost forgot that in response to a sign in the crowd, there was an impromptu Land Ho! reunion onstage. No performance, though...boo.

 

Anyway, could probably write more but for now, I'll just post the complete setlist as played (Passenger Side and I'm The Man Who Loves You were on the printed list after Diamond Light but were cut due to time):

 

Summer Noon*

World Away*

New Moon*

Flowering*

Slow Love*

Nobody Dies Anymore*

High As Hello*

Low Key*

Spiders (Kidsmoke)^

I Am Trying To Break Your Heart^

California Stars^

Kamera^

Hummingbird*

Heavy Metal Drummer^

Jesus, etc.^

The Late Greats^

A Shot in the Arm^

------------------------

Diamond Light*

 

* — with full TWEEDY band

^ — Jeff solo acoustic

Link to post
Share on other sites

Cool & thanks, as always! Interesting to see which ones he chose to include, or not, within a tighter time limit. I'll be curious to see what makes the cut as his two hour time that was reduced to 90 minutes tonight, goes down a further 15 to the 75 minutes from 2:30 to 3:45 at Mountain Jam tomorrow & just a reminder that it's going to be simulcast for free- so all of us can get a chance to hear the new songs!
http://mountainjam.com/webcast/

If anyone who attended with tonight, or last night, gets a chance to highlight the gear being played, as in...especially what guitars Jeff & Jim were playing?...but any & all (amps, pedals, drums, basses) info is appreciated & of interest...thanks!!

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

If anyone who attended with tonight, or last night, gets a chance to highlight the gear being played, as in...especially what guitars Jeff & Jim were playing?...but any & all (amps, pedals, drums, basses) info is appreciated & of interest...thanks!!

 

I'm by no means a guitar or gear expert, but Jeff only played electric on one song tonight, Diamond Light. He used a well-worn Jazzmaster on that one, which he plays mostly below the pickup to create texture if that makes sense. Jim had a pink Tele he used on some songs and a Les Paul-looking guitar (with four knobs) on others. He had at least one other guitar I think, but I couldn't really describe that one right now. Hope that helps a bit.

 

I also noticed that Darin had at least two different electric Lakland basses and an acoustic bass of some sort (but no upright). He had a stack of Aguilar amps (I think) on his side.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm by no means a guitar or gear expert, but Jeff only played electric on one song tonight, Diamond Light. He used a well-worn Jazzmaster on that one, which he plays mostly below the pickup to create texture if that makes sense. Jim had a pink Tele he used on some songs and a Les Paul-looking guitar (with four knobs) on others. He had at least one other guitar I think, but I couldn't really describe that one right now. Hope that helps a bit.

 

I also noticed that Darin had at least two different electric Lakland basses and an acoustic bass of some sort (but no upright). He had a stack of Aguilar amps (I think) on his side.

Thanks for the effort!! I think I read his played a Strat on one song last night & a Jazzmaster on another.

I'll be curious to see what different acoustics he plays...if you remember any of those, feel free to add to the list, & again, thanks for the indulgence...maybe other gear heads will chime in later on...and I'll be seeing for myself soon enough (tomorrow's simulcast & the Baltimore & D.C. shows next week)...

Link to post
Share on other sites

I am very intrigued by the reports on Diamond Light. I think I will pick up the 10" vinyl version in NH or ME, if there are any left by then. Thanks for the report, bbop - I (and I can probably use "we") appreciate them.

Always more than happy to chime in when I can!

Link to post
Share on other sites

I was there. I was about two or three people behind Paul and the dancing girl with the chopsticks in her hair. I recognized a few faces - probably people I saw there 10/11 years ago.  I was with a friend of mine who does not know anything about Wilco/Jeff and does not really listen to such music. I think he sort of liked the show though. I was bummed out that I could not say hello to Jeff. The tour bus area was fenced off - years ago it was all very open.  I usually don't try to play the that-new-song-sounds-like game. But I have to say that sometimes I was reminded of some of Pete Townshend's demos of Who songs. And I thought it was cool that we got Spiders - just like we did so many years ago.

 

Also - the stage is in a different field that it was in 2003/2004.

Link to post
Share on other sites

What a fun show. Jeff was as happy as I can ever remember seeing him and obviously pleased as punch that Spencer is along for the ride. Loved World Away and Diamond Light. I'm guessing that DL is where the sitar comes into play, although it wasn't used live. I was on the rail (there was one). Nice chatting with Paul before the show. On to DC!

Link to post
Share on other sites

At some point I noticed he went over to stage left and wagged his finger at someone. Was it someone filming?

Yeah, almost certainly. You could read his lips, saying "Please don't do that."

Link to post
Share on other sites

I wish I could make it up there next weekend. Lucinda Williams is playing the same stage where Jeff played.

 

You should just make it to Chicago and see them both at the same stage on the same day. It just a hop, skip, and a jump from your area.   (The wife and I did briefly think about taking a family trip to Pittsburgh for the Tweedy' 6/6/14 show - for some reason recently - prior to the Tweedy Pittsburgh show announcement -  I have been wanting to take trip to that area)

 

 

Jeff Tweedy, Lucinda Williams showing at the Taste of Chicago / Petrillo Music Shell - Chicago on 7/12/14

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

bbop -

 

Do you think he was referring to the Neil Young song

when he talking about ponchos and dune buggies?

You know, it didn't occur to me at the time but that could very well be. He's kind of changed his cult banter a bit every night, though. It's been blankets and ponchos and, last night, it was silver track suits...haha.

 

I believe in Pittsburgh there was also mention of "a great pierogi cult."

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...