While Tweedy is clearly the bandleader, bassist John Stirratt’s contributions cannot be understated. The only other original Wilco member remaining, Stirratt is instrumental to the overall sonic structure on every level. His only lead vocal, A.M.’s It’s Just That Simple, garnered huge audience response both times it was played during the run.
Fellow Chicagoan Andrew Bird added violin to many songs, entering and exiting the stage seamlessly. He accented the ensemble in a way that was noticeable but far from overpowering. Also augmenting the band throughout the run were the “Total Pros” horn section, providing wonderful accompaniment to tunes from every era.
The A.M. material was tight and twangy, proving once again Jeff Tweedy is the father of what is now known as “Alt Country.” Songs from Being There packed a raw punch, even reminiscent of classic Exile on Main Street-era Stones at times. The classic one-two pairing of Red-Eyed and Blue and I Got You provided multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone a chance to shine on his blonde Telecaster. The Mermaid Avenue songs cannot be overlooked with Woodie Guthrie’s words as true now as they were when written in the depths of post-Depression America.
Most impressive were the Summerteeth songs, providing moments of lush musical glory combined with Tweedy’s unadulterated lyrics. More than five years since Jay Bennett’s less-than-amicable split from the group, what he brought to the band is as clear as ever in turning the country rockers into musicians creating fully formed art masterpieces.
Watching drummer Glenn Kotche and guitarist Nels Cline navigate through this material was an impressive display. Kotche is a beast behind the kit, attacking like Keith Moon when necessary but embracing subtlety in a way few modern rock percussionists can match. Cline uses his guitar rig in a way that always focuses on the overall sound of the piece, only shredding when appropriate. Cline added his own flair and flavor while maintaining the integrity of the older material’s original guitar work.
The band is clearly comfortable with the songs off Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Heavy Metal Drummer never gets old and the Poor Places/Reservations mini suite fit perfectly into the end of Tuesday’s first set. Keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen shines on this material, providing waves of synth-madness mixed with simple-yet-faultless piano and organ lines.
Songs from A Ghost is Born were boisterous and suit this band particularly well. Many show Tweedy at his most Neil Young, physically attacking his guitar to forge melody from a wash of distortion. I’m a Wheel was particularly well done and Spiders (Kidsmoke) continues to expand from its feedback-free original version.
A constant through all five nights was the new Sky Blue Sky. Impossible Germany and Walken, which benefited from the horns, were played each night, and got progressively better.
It seems Tweedy has finally come to terms with the band’s former eras, bringing the entire official catalog into play over five nights with nothing feeling out-of-place. Such honesty with oneself and fans is rarely seen this day in age, and positions Wilco to continue creating new music that is just as relevant as any of the classics.
Friday February 15, 2008 (FLAC, MP3 Pt.1 Pt.2)
ELT, Shot in the Arm, Side with the Seeds, You are my Face, I am Trying to Break Your Heart, Pot Kettle Black, Whats the World Got in Store, When the Roses Bloom Again, Airline to Heaven, Ashes of American Flags, Either Way, Too Far Apart, Can’t Stand It*, Sunken Treasure, Spiders (Kidsmoke)
Misunderstood, Far Far Away, Why Would You Wanna Live, Impossible Germany, Sky Blue Sky, Patient with Me, Cars Can’t Escape, Hummingbird
Hate it Here, Walken*, I’m the Man Who Loves You*, Heavy Metal Drummer, Candyfloss, Outtamind (Outta Site)
* = w/ the Total Pros horns
Saturday February 16, 2008 (FLAC, MP3 Pt. 1 Pt. 2)
Someone Else’s Song, Hell Is Chrome, Handshake Drugs, Muzzle of Bees, Via Chicago, I Am Trying To Break Your Heart, Hotel Arizona, Shot In The Arm, Impossible Germany, It’s Just That Simple, When You Wake Up Feeling Old, Too Far Apart, Hate It Here, Jesus, Etc^, Forget The Flowers^, Dash 7^, Christ For President^, Walken*, I’m The Man Who Loves You*
Late Greats, Heavy Metal Drummer, Red Eyed & Blue^ > I Got You ^, Magazine Called Sunset, Monday*, Casino Queen, Kingpin, Passenger Side^, Dreamer In My Dreams^, Lonely One^
ELT, Hoodoo Voodoo
^ = w/ Andrew Bird on violin
* = w/ the Total Pros horns
Monday February 18, 2008 (FLAC, MP3 Pt. 1 Pt. 2)
Blue Eyed Soul, Remember the Mountain Bed^, Bob Dylan’s 49th Beard^, Hesitating Beauty^, That’s Not the Issue^, Wishful Thinking, You Are My Face, Side With The Seeds, A Shot In The Arm, We’re Just Friends, Kamera, Handshake Drugs, How To Fight Loneliness^, Jesus, etc.^, Should’ve Been In Love, Pick Up The Change^, Theologians, Walken*, I’m The Man Who Loves You*
Via Chicago, Impossible Germany, She’s A Jar^, Say You Miss Me, Box Full Of Letters, I’m Always In Love, Hate It Here^*, The Late Greats^*, Red Eyed & Blue^ > I Got You^ ,Monday*, My Darling
Can’t Stand It*, Nothingsevergonnastandinmyway(Again)
^ = w/ Andrew Bird on violin
* = w/ the Total Pros horns
Tuesday February 19, 2008 (FM SOURCED: FLAC, MP3 Pt.1 Pt. 2 Pt. 3)
Outta Mind (Outta Site), I Must Be High, Impossible Germany, Radio Cure, Leave Me Like You Found Me (live debut), Company In My Back, Handshake Drugs, War On War, Shake It Off, Summerteeth, In A Future Age, ELT, A Shot In The Arm, Poor Places, Reservations, Spiders (Kidsmoke), On And On And On
Hotel Arizona, Too Far Apart, Was I In Your Dreams?*, Misunderstood, Someday Soon, California Stars, Hate It Here*, The Thanks I Get*, Walken*, I’m The Man Who Loves You*, I’m A Wheel*, Kingpin, Outtasite (Outta Mind)
The Late Greats
* = w/ the Total Pros horns
Wednesday February 20, 2008 (FLAC, MP3 Pt.1 Pt.2)
Sunken Treasure, One By One, Shouldn’t Be Ashamed, You Are My Face, Side With The Seeds, Pot Kettle Black, War On War, Pieholden Suite^, Muzzle Of Bees, It’s Just That Simple, Nothing’severgonnastandinmyway (Again), I Thought I Held You, What Light, When You Wake Up Feeling Old, Summerteeth, Jesus, Etc.^, Walken*, Hummingbird
Via Chicago, Blood Of The Lamb, Can’t Stand It*, Box Full Of Letters, Heavy Metal Drummer, Hate It Here*, The Thanks I Get*, Just A Kid, Red Eyed And Blue^ > I Got You (At The End Of The Century)^, Casino Queen, I’m A Wheel, Less Than You Think%
I’m The Man Who Loves You, Dreamer In My Dreams
^ = w/ Andrew Bird on violin
* = w/ the Total Pros horns
% = Band leaves stage one by one, leaving outro sounds looping during encore break
10 Responses
Great review man, can’t wait to see more!
Wilco and Andrew Bird? I definitely need some new boxers.
Great review Joel! Caught them in Philly on Saturday and easily could have been the best Wilco show I’ve seen. It was great to see that they continued to mix up the set lists.
one of the best music reviews I have ever read. keep them comin!
jooooooel is awesome. great review. can’t wait to see wilco this sunday!!
although its an uncle tupelo song the only one missing that Wilco sometimes bust out is” New Madrid”
Well written. Makes me want to go out and see some Wilco! Thanks for the great review Chicago Bureau Chief.
Representative of the MIDWEST!!!
Thanks, Joel. As a Chicagoan in Brooklyn, I appreciate the the news from back home. Keep up the good work! Wilco is playing SNL this Saturday, I betcha NYC will get a stealth show this weekend. The question is, where?