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.
13 Responses
Good topic discussion. Nels Cline would shred the hell out of most any of the Neil guitar-bomb warhorses, but I’d take “Cowgirl in the Sand” Mmm hmm. But there’s so much potential here. Any of Neil’s sidemen would tuck right in to the Wilco thing.
Pretty much anything off of Everyone Knows This Is Nowhere would be fair game for collaborating.
NICE list, Luke.
I’d like to see Neil Young fronting Wilco on “The Loner,” with Jeff Tweedy on co-lead vocals. I also think the closing sequence could evolve into a really cool jam between Young, Tweedy, and the band.
Spiders wtih Neil!
How about “Danger Bird”? That’d be righteous with Neil and Nels going for the feedback abyss.
Though it’s out of the question altogether, “Maggot Brain” would be incredible. Not very C&W, but still an amazing jam.
Spiders is a good call. Neil on a Handshake Drugs outro would also rip.
How about “Walk On” from “On the Beach.”
Nels and Neil shredding with Tweedy on vocals. Pretty sure Tweedy sang that tune at one of his solo shows as well…
At Least That’s What You Said
from the moment the electric guitar kicks in, it’s a ode to Neil, in my book anyways.
Any of the Live Rust material would fit in great. Pocahontas, Sedan Delivery, Thresher. I’d go for some After the Goldrush material too.
Tweedy on vocals for “Out on the weekend” – would be great…
Neil playing on Handshake Drugs would be stellar
Spiders (Kidsmoke) would be a blower with Neil and Nels Clone, sorry, Cline, chasing the night away. Anyway, I think it is unlikely that Neil and Wilco will perform together – however, to see those two acts on the same stage the same evening is more than one could have dreamt of just weeks ago, so lets be happy with that, but what is life without wishful thinking.