Show Review

Ten years ago you couldn’t go two Wilco songs without hearing shades of its broad Americana influences in the form of such dusty instruments as a dobro, pedal steel, mandolin, fiddle and banjo. Never mind, you also couldn’t go anywhere near the band without hearing the tired phrase – "formed from the ashes of seminal alt-country band Uncle Tupelo."

Approaching the tenth anniversary of their debut album, AM, Wilco is living amongst their fourth significant lineup, featuring leader Jeff Tweedy, bassist John Stirratt, drummer Glenn Kotche and three relative newcomers: keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen, guitarist Nels Cline and multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone. As a result, Wilco is currently exploring an experimental shade, often more British than American, while sporting walls of feedback and fuzzy guitars with electronic keyboard nuances.

Lead singer Jeff Tweedy, looking dapper in a sport jacket and matted greasy hair looks more Paul Westerberg today, than his mid 90’s Gram Parsons stage persona. Reinvention promotes longevity, and this 2004 incarnation of Chicago’s finest resembles a crowded stage of six musicians attempting but relenting to get their "hey" into the mix. Sometimes delicate, while often times brash, Wilco played their adored songs to their die-hard fans with grit, some sloppiness and plenty of energy.

Following a theatrically metal tinged set from the openers – The Fiery Furnaces – Wilco took the stage to a half filled 2500 seat "gymnasium." As the band leaped from the opener "Handshake Drugs" to "Hummingbird," Tweedy made a quirky comment about that evening’s Presidential debate, and said "well we’re all here tonight cause we have something better to do."

Featuring a majority of songs off 2004’s A Ghost is Born and 2003’s applauded Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, the band appeared to be having a blast, sometimes rushing through numbers while other times playfully jamming and letting loose. Tweedy confidently appears to have brushed aside his phobias when working the stage, making it his ideal comfort-zone, aside from his much publicized pre-game jitters. Jorgensen, is now growing into his role as the go-to keyboardist- a quick change from last year’s second billing to the now departed Leroy Bach - where he sounded and looked more like a stage technician with his trusty laptop.

Highlights of the night included Cline’s "lonesome prairie" pedal steel work on the Motown flavored "Jesus, Etc," which showed a nice change from his inventive yet frantic guitar style. The rolling piano driven "Thelogians," with its John Lennon "Instant Karma" vibe, proved to be a nice mid-show tempo break. Meanwhile the tender "Poor Places"> "Reservations" combo allowed Tweedy to preach his heartfelt vocals to the half filled gym. Along with some references to playing in Burlington, an area that Tweedy mentioned as, "you guys have a great city here," the crowd’s appreciative response seemed to have won the band over.

One can only wish however, with so much prized material from their earlier albums – AM, Being There, Mermaid Avenue Volumes 1 &2 and Summer Teeth that they would reinvent some of those tunes with their new lineup. Much like Bob Dylan’s ever changing setlists and nuggets from past and present, the band can get away with almost anything they throw into their fans' ears. So maybe soon new fans and old can hear "Passenger Side," "Sunken Treasure," "Boxful Of Letters," "Hoodoo Vooddoo" and "I Must Be High" live more often than not.

Before the final number, a cover of Bill Faye’s "Be Not So Fearful," Tweedy made some more "get out and vote" references before ensuing that "this madness has to end," in reference to the current political administration. Moving from politics to humor, Tweedy poked fun at the high school gymnasium feel of the Memorial Auditorium, complete with its stage staring basketball hoop and bleachers. Reflecting on a Prom Night escapde of people sneaking Mad Dog in and making out behind the bleachers, Tweedy encouraged the crowd to let loose on the ballad finale and make out and slow dance.

Rumor has it Wilco will be returning to the studio shortly, to capture the live energy from this six-man rotation on record. If the record is as festive as their Burlington performance, than Wilco is truly getting started, rather than just a ghost being born.

Set List

Cars Can't Escape, Christ For President, California Stars. Less Than You Think, At Least Thats What You Said

Encore 2