Matt May 20th, 2004 Link
I'm really looking forward to the show at the Vic.
Wilco Returns
Sections: Uncategorized May 20th, 2004
It seems like any lingering ambiance of Jay Bennet is gone from the new Wilco sound. They played their first warm-up show for what promises to be a lengthy world tour in a raw, funky, loose way that I hadn't heard since the formative years of the band. To put it plainly it was the best sounding iteration of Wilco I can remember. Of course that was helped by the fact that they were playing in the wonderfully atmospheric Otto's in Dekalb IL.
And the album. A Ghost is Born succeeds in much of a different way than Yankee Hotel Foxtrot did. While I'd call it overall a less ambitious record, it maybe a bit more rewarding. It's got a fantastic live and raw sound that harkens back to Being There. If YHF was a 10 (out of 10) GiB reaches the same total with a very different tone and feel.
Jeff Tweedy interestingly did make mention of his recent troubles and as expected the crowds response was overwhelming. You can check it out here.
Written By: Gabe
7 Comments
Mike M May 20th, 2004 Link
I couldn't agree with you more… I'm so looking forward to the show again tonight.
I had to double up these shows since I won't be in town for the Vic show.
R Jun 1st, 2004 Link
I loved the CD called Mermaid Avenue 1 & 2 that Wilco did with Billy Bragg… I play it weekly…R
Sean Bartnik Jun 7th, 2004 Link
Going to see Wilco tomorrow night at Irving Plaza in NYC. Can't wait!
I love the new album (available for listening on their web site) and can't wait to snag a copy when it is officially released.
Glad to hear they're sounding great (though not surprised). Last time I saw them was on the YHF tour, again in NYC in 2002. Last time before that was on the A.M. tour in '95 when they played a great gig in a wonderfully tiny and intimate space at my college in Fredericksburg, VA.
Wilco is amazingly one of those bands that just seems to keep getting better as they go on.
Gabe Jun 7th, 2004 Link
Sean - good to hear your a wilco fan! Enjoy the show and let us know how it goes!
Sean Bartnik Jun 9th, 2004 Link
Just got back from seeing Wilco at Irving Plaza and oh my oh my that was a great show!
The band sounded absolutely spectacular. They were very tight and had a lot of energy — you could tell they were having a good time. Jeff seemed a bit perkier than last time (I guess being off painkillers will do that for you).
They kicked the show off with “Handshake Drugs” and proceeded to play almost everything from the new album and lots of stuff from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (including a great version of “Jesus, Etc.”). They played a couple songs from Summerteeth. Only one song from Being There, “The Lonely 1″ which they played as an encore. They also played a couple from Mermaid Avenue as encores. Nothing from A.M. or Uncle Tupelo.
I was amazed at how good they sounded. The stuff from the new album sounds great live. It was very powerful. Probably the highlight for me was “At Least That's What You Said” which is one of my favorites on the new album. Sounded even better live.
During a lull in the show between songs, several audience members started calling out for “Spiders” and then I heard someone yell “bring it on, big man! We can handle it!” So bring it on they did, launching right then into the 11-minute long song. I have to say it's a great song, and it works even better live than on the album.
Jeff remarked to the crowd that this was the best show they had played so far, then, referring to the previous show, quipped, “man, those poor suckers in Poughkeepsie.”
The new band lineup sounds great. Definitely go see them if they come anywhere near you. The show was certainly worth the drive from Massachusetts to New York.
gipvit Jun 15th, 2008 Link
A nice couple playing with a amanda bynes nude couple named paul and.
