Legendary rocker Neil Young announced this week that Wilco will be one of the opening acts for his upcoming North American tour. On paper, this sounds like a truly wonderful night of music with two acts that, at times, seem very similar.

There are several common threads between Wilco and Young, including Tweedy and Company performing at Young’s Farm Aid fundraiser back in 2005. In an interview around that time promoting the event, Tweedy listed Young’s Live Rust as his top live album ever. Tweedy also covered Young’s Too Far Gone at several of his first solo shows and included a Roll Another Number lyrical reference in Passenger Side, a Wilco classic and fan favorite.

With Wilco and Young in the same building for seven North American dates, performing on the same stage, the mind has to wander to possible collaborations.

Here are a few suggestions:

Young’s Powderfinger with Nels Cline

Cline, who often employs that fractured-chord sound that Young and Crazy Horse perfected, has gone from newcomer to Conquering Lord in Wilco World. His shredding guitar and frenetic fingerwork has become as vital to Wilco’s sound as Tweedy’s raspy voice, calculated lyrics and witty banter. Cline would simply demolish Powderfinger, one of the great Neil Young classics, that includes several solos that Cline could infuse with his unique sound.

READ ON for more Wilco/Neil Young sit-in recommendations from Luke…

Young’s Everybody Knows This is Nowhere with Jeff Tweedy

Tweedy already has a cosmic connection to this tune and he played it with his former band, Uncle Tupelo, at their final show in St. Louis. Ironically, at that time, Tweedy had no idea what his musical future held. His musical partner, Jay Farrar, was gone and the future wasn’t all that bright. Wilco has actually played this song twice – September 4, 1995 and August 28, 1999. The next version could be with the man who wrote it at the World’s Most Famous Arena. Young was absolutely killing this song during his last tour and it should stay in the rotation even if Tweedy doesn’t get the call.

Young’s I Am a Child with Jeff Tweedy

Tweedy’s voice is often overlooked, especially in recent years since Wilco has embraced its electronic side. But Tweedy’s would belt out a nice rendition of this Young staple. Tweedy’s Simple Twist of Fate was a great addition to the I’m Not There Bob Dylan soundtrack and he could play this song with the same simple approach.

Wilco’s Impossible Germany with Neil Young

I always thought the outro jam of this song sounded like vintage Neil and since its debut a few years ago, the song has grown into one of the few jam vehicles in the Wilco catalog. Young would meld perfectly with that choppy, fractured guitar and toying with the jam before really kicking into high gear for the climax. Cline and Young could stage quite the guitar dual and stretch the jam out to new heights.

Bob Dylan’s I Shall Be Released with both bands

Wilco covered this Dylan tune throughout their 2005 tour and Young and Dylan have seen their musical paths intersect countless times. A full-on jam with the members of both bands to close the night would be spectacular and this song is familiar to both camps.

What do you think about Luke’s suggestions? Do you have a few ideas of your own? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Luke Sacks

Luke Sacks listens to mostly Phish and Classic Rock but also will throw on Neutral Milk Hotel, Vampire Weekend or TV on the Radio when the mood strikes. He lives in New York City with his wife and Norwich Terrier Axl and is anxiously awaiting the release of the Hunger Games movie in March 2012.

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