Wilco — 7 October 2017, Birmingham, AL (Alabama Theatre)

[bböp]

Let me preface this by saying that 1) I actually had no intentions of getting to this show (only did because I was trying to flee the effects of Hurricane Nate) and 2) I've been fortunate enough to see all but two of the shows so far on this last bit of Wilco touring for a while. I say those things because I'm finding it's a bit difficult for me to write a recap of this Birmingham show and have it fully reflect what I'm sure 95 percent or more of the crowd must have been feeling. But in case anyone feels tempted to tell me to go to less shows or that I'm jaded or whatever, keep in mind that I'm well aware of keeping things in proper perspective...

 

Anyway, as I saw it, this was a fine example of a typical set on this tour — the only things perhaps missing were the hootenanny Misunderstood and electric Spiders (Kidsmoke) — and an amped Alabama audience ate it up on a stormy, swampy Saturday night. The crowd at the Alabama Theatre was on its feet from the start and even a decent portion of the mezzanine (where my seat was) eventually stood. So the sit-stand thing was essentially a moot point, which is always a good thing. And folks seemed very into it, judging by the loud ovations that greeted some of the band's most well-known songs.

 

Art Of Almost and Impossible Germany, of course, elicited some of the biggest cheers, even though Nels seemed to be plagued by technical issues on both. The band had to delay the final end freakout part on the former a bit longer than usual while Nels' tech came out and tried to fix what looked like a pedal issue, while Nels actually had to switch out guitars entirely for some unknown reason at the end of the latter and then sort of looked over at both his tech and at Jeff after the song with his arms up in resignation.

 

One nice moment was support act Margaret Glaspy coming out to join the band on electric guitar for California Stars. I wasn't at the Memphis show the other night, but didn't hear about her coming out then. So if that didn't happen, then Birmingham was the first time on the tour she's done so. She played a nice solo on her Telecaster, a little tentative at first but then really coming through with some solid playing. Jeff introduced her as "our good friend" and said "she rules." She stood on Nels' side and gave both him and Jeff hugs coming on and off stage. After that song, Jeff said, "I think we're warmed up now."

 

Another fun song was Hate It Here, which Jeff dedicated (as he almost always does when he's in attendance) to "Pat's pop" Tony Sansone. I find it funny that Jeff rarely can get through that song without at least one flub. It doesn't seem like that difficult a song, lyrically, but Jeff, intentionally or not, put numerous places in it for himself to slip up, whether it's transposing one part of a lyric or just forgetting the sequence of verses.

 

The Waiting also continues to be a fun addition to the set, despite the sad circumstances. The more the band plays it, the better it will be, of course. And closing the show with it for the first time — as the sole song of the second encore — added extra some poignancy, I thought.

 

It wasn't much of a night for Banter Corner, unfortunately. During the lead-in to I'm The Man Who Loves You, Jeff briefly paused to say, "True story: One time we played here, and we won a Grammy," referring to the Feb. 13, 2005 show at the same venue that occurred on Grammy night when the band won Best Alternative Album for A Ghost Is Born. That drew a big cheer from the audience. Other brief bits from Jeff included him asking about the incoming hurricane and making a quick joke about "Hurricane Cline," and also thanking the audience by saying, "You've been really nice to us. It gives me hope." Jeff seemed poised to make a longer, possibly politically-tinged comment about that last bit, as he has done elsewhere on the tour, but instead he seemed to get cut off by a bunch of woo-ing and people shouting requests, so he let it go.

 

The funniest bit of banter probably came when someone in the crowd yelled out the lyric from deep cut Message To Mid-Bar about hate saving the dolphins. I'm not sure what, if anything, precipitated that, but Jeff had some fun with that, replying, "Hate will save the dolphins, yes. Thanks for reminding me of my own wisdom. ... I should pay someone to do that for me. Oh, never mind, Glenn will do it for free."

 

Ultimately there were a few moments that elevated the show beyond simply a "professional gig." There are definitely far worse ways to spend a Saturday night. Objectively speaking, was it the best-played show of the ones I've seen on this run? Probably not. Was it my personal favorite? Probably not. Did 95 percent of the people there probably walk out of that theater with smiles on their faces, a feeling of money well spent and the satisfaction of having been treated to two hours-plus of a great rock band performing some of its most popular songs? I would say almost certainly. Whatever else I might say by way of trying to provide a recap, that's what it really comes down to.

 

Here was the complete setlist, as played (didn't see a printed setlist, so can't say if there were any changes or omissions):

Cry All Day
I An Trying To Break Your Heart>
Art Of Almost
Pickled Ginger
At Least That's What You Said
You Are My Face
If I Ever Was A Child
Someone To Lose
Pot Kettle Black
Via Chicago
Bull Black Nova (acoustic/electric hybrid arrangement)
Reservations
Impossible Germany
California Stars (with Margaret Glaspy on electric guitar)
Box Full Of Letters
Theologians
I'm Always In Love
Heavy Metal Drummer>
I'm The Man Who Loves You
Hummingbird
The Late Greats
-----------------------------
Random Name Generator
Jesus, etc.
Hate It Here
Monday>
Outtasite (Outta Mind)
-----------------------------
The Waiting [Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers]

[dagwave]

thanks, paul. i very much look forward to both your and other fans reviews and comments for the shows that are out of reach. I'm all in for St. Paul, and appreciate you keeping the fire burning- hope to see you there!

 

dave

[suites]

Hey Paul   PM is not working for you but I wanted to see if you are going to the Asheville Show.  I will be there with my 25 year old son.  Love to buy you a drink or 3 and hang with you...talk about some WILCO stories I m sure you have...I have a few as well.

 

Let me know,

[dagwave]

st. paul.

out of reach (in my reach((replacements)))

paul

see what i did

there                                                                       and there, right

MN i think

[Magnetized]

Let me preface this by saying that 1) I actually had no intentions of getting to this show (only did because I was trying to flee the effects of Hurricane Nate) and 2) I've been fortunate enough to see all but two of the shows so far on this last bit of Wilco touring for a while. I say those things because I'm finding it's a bit difficult for me to write a recap of this Birmingham show and have it fully reflect what I'm sure 95 percent or more of the crowd must have been feeling. But in case anyone feels tempted to tell me to go to less shows or that I'm jaded or whatever, keep in mind that I'm well aware of keeping things in proper perspective...

 

.......................

 

 Ultimately there were a few moments that elevated the show beyond simply a "professional gig." There are definitely far worse ways to spend a Saturday night. Objectively speaking, was it the best-played show of the ones I've seen on this run? Probably not. Was it my personal favorite? Probably not. Did 95 percent of the people there probably walk out of that theater with smiles on their faces, a feeling of money well spent and the satisfaction of having been treated to two hours-plus of a great rock band performing some of its most popular songs? I would say almost certainly. Whatever else I might say by way of trying to provide a recap, that's what it really comes down to.

 

 

I think it makes perfect sense, Paul, for you to have a different perspective on the shows then the average fan. No matter how great a band is, each show has its own vibe, and that can be influenced by all kinds of factors, including which shows you saw before this one, as well as the people around you at the show, where your seat is, and any number of other things. We all rank things in our minds and not every show can be “the best.” Someone who sees Wilco as often as you do is bound to have a more discerning palate and notice things that most fans would not pick up on. I always look forward to reading your detailed reports about each show you see.

 

Birmingham was the first of this run of shows for me and I loved every minute of it, but I can see your point for sure. One thing that really elevated this show for me was the super enthusiastic audience, at least where I was sitting (or standing, as it were) and no jerks, at least in my vicinity. And I was starving for a dose of Wilco because it’s been months since I last had a fix at Solid Sound.

 

As to the scarcity of banter, that’s actually fine with me. When it’s a Jeff solo show I love the between song banter because it’s fresh and clever and intimate, but sometimes, especially on a lengthy run of Wilco shows, I think Jeff really struggles with how to gIve the audience something memorable in terms of witty repartee. It would be really difficult to not come off sounding trite or clichéd night after night. I appreciate the authenticity and integrity of sometimes just wanting to let the music do the talking.

 

Anyway, as I’ve said before and will no doubt say again, I am really grateful that you see so many shows and devote the energy you do to bringing the rest of us vicariously along for the ride.

[Albert Tatlock]

^^^^^^ Careful, that might go to his head. The last thing we want is a Perez Hilton style VC review diva on our hands

[SarahC]

I had a blast at this one cos it'd been over a year and a half since I'd seen them. Cried really hard a couple of times. Got a special wave from Jeff, so that made me feel all warm and fuzzy. 

Also got to meet Pat's dad Tony. He's super nice, and talks to you like you've been friends forever. Really special guy. He recognized us the next night in Atlanta too and chatted for a bit. 

 

I thought this show was a good example of why I still spend all my money to go to several shows a year. It's more than the music, it's the community.