Let's see if there's anyone that wants to join me in an ongoing thread dedicated to Yo La Tengo, a band that somehow (imho) remains consistently underrated despite putting out at least six classic albums* and maintaining a huge influence in the worlds of indie rock and generally experimental music. I've been thinking about starting a thread like this for some time, since a number of the older YLT threads are locked, but I was finally motivated by two things: 1) The band wrapping up their 8-night Hanukkah run at the Bowery Ballroom, pulling off (not quite as impressive as Phish, but still cool) not a single repeat - though they did play a couple of songs in different arrangements, as they've always been wont to do. 2) Rumors of a new album in early 2018. * - I'm glad you asked, they are: Painful, Electr-O-Pura, I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One, And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out, I Am Not Afraid of You..., Popular Songs
More specifically speaking to the Hanukkah shows, Jesse Jarnow's been keeping good track of the setlists (sadly it sounds like the band does not want these shows taped and spread around, allegedly there was some falling out with the NYC YLT taper community). Lots of great guests - Jeff & Spencer Tweedy, Fred Armisen, Michael Shannon(!) singing Suicide, members of Sun Ra's band, 75 Dollar Bill, among many others. Setlists will be shared in upcoming posts, credit to Frank & Earthy (Jesse Jarnow) for sharing Ylt | Jesse Jarnow / @bourgwick
night 1: Yo La Tengo at Bowery Ballroom 12 December 2017 *(Hanukkah, night 1)* Todd Barry, Bob Odenkirk, and Miriam & Nobody’s Babies opened mix disc by Mike Watt benefit for New York Stem Cell Foundation & the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation whole set with Mary Halvorson (guitar) and Zeena Parkins (harp), entering during “Before We Run” outro jam. Back in the New York Groove (KISS) (sung “Back With the New York Jews”) Before We Run > Everyday From A Motel 6 Walking Away From You Last Days of Disco Saturday The Kid With the Replaceable Head (Richard Hell) Moby Octopad Artificial Heart Tom Courtenay I Heard You Looking *(encore)* So Easy Baby (The Zantees) (with Miriam Linna on percussion/vocals & Bruce Bennett on guitar/vocals) Cruel To Be Kind (Nick Lowe) (with Nick Lowe on guitar/vocals) Baby, It’s You (Burt Bacharach/Luther Dixon/Mack David) (with NL) Here Comes the Night (Bert Berns) (with NL) Shake That Rat (Nick Lowe) (NL on bass) (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love and Understanding? (Nick Lowe) (with NL) [ If reposting, kindly credit Frank & Earthy: Ylt | Jesse Jarnow / @bourgwick ]
night 2: Yo La Tengo at Bowery Ballroom 13 December 2017 *(Hanukkah, night 2)* comedian: Neil Hamburger opening act: Los Straitjackets mix CD: Dave the Spazz whole set (after 1st 3 songs) with Mary Lattimore on concert harp. The Evil That Men Do (Craig’s Version) Run Run Run (Velvet Underground) (surf instrumental version) (with Los Straitjackets) new song #1 (“That Guy”) Green Arrow Today Is The Day Gentle Hour (Snapper) Pablo and Andrea The Sea Horse Stupid Things Big Day Coming (fast) We’re An American Band The Story of Yo La Tango *(encore)* with John Doe of X on vocals/guitar/bass The New World (X) My Darling, Blue Skies (John Doe) Pressing On (Bob Dylan) Let’s Get Rid of New York (The Randoms) Adult Books (X) [ If reposting, kindly credit Frank & Earthy: Ylt | Jesse Jarnow / @bourgwick ]
night 3: Yo La Tengo at Bowery Ballroom 14 December 2017 *(Hanukkah, night 3)* comedians: Jon Benjamin & Jon Glaser as the Brothers Italiano opening act: The Sadies mix CD: Ira Sugarcube Seven Day Weekend (Doc Pomus) (sung as “Eight Day Weekend”) Awhileaway Song For Mahlia new song #2 (sung by Georgia, “Blowing Ashes”) I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (Hank Williams) (with SQÜRL: Jim Jarmusch on guitar/vocals & Carter Logan on electronics) Two Trains (with JJ & CL) Shaker (with JJ & CL) Out the Window > (with JJ & CL) I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry > (Hank Williams) (drone version) (with JJ & CL) Ohm (with JJ & CL) Little Honda (The Hondells) (with JJ & CL) *(encore)* Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues (Bob Dylan) (with Travis & Dallas Good of the Sadies on guitars/vocals) A House is Not A Motel (Love) (with TG & DG) Tom Courtenay (Georgia version) [ If reposting, kindly credit Frank & Earthy: Ylt | Jesse Jarnow / @bourgwick ]
night 4: Yo La Tengo at Bowery Ballroom 15 December 2017 *(Hanukkah, night 4)* comedian: John Hodgman opening act: Half Japanese mix CD: John McEntire Cherry Chapstick Beanbag Chair new song #3 (sung by Georgia, “Shades of Blue”) Black Flowers Don’t Have To Be So Sad Attack on Love (with Jad Fair on guitar) Circus Strongman Runs For PTA President (with JF on vocals) Principal Punishes Students With Bad Impressions and Tired Jokes (with JF on vocals) Velvet Monkey Theme Song (Velvet Monkeys) (with Don Fleming on guitar/vocals and Jay Spiegel on floor tom/snare) Run Run Run (Velvet Underground) (with DF & JS) Decora Pass the Hatchet, I Think I’m Goodkind *(encore)* with Marshall Crenshaw on guitar/vocals You’re My Favorite Waste of Time (Marshall Crenshaw) Take Me For What I’m Worth (P.F. Sloan) A Must To Avoid (P.F. Sloan/Steve Barri) Don’t Dream It’s Over (Neil Finn) Whenever You’re On My Mind (Marshall Crenshaw) [ If reposting, kindly credit Frank & Earthy: Ylt | Jesse Jarnow / @bourgwick ]
night 5: Yo La Tengo at Bowery Ballroom 16 December 2017 *(Hanukkah, night 5)* comedian: Aparna Nancherla opening act: Superchunk mix CD: Antietam whole set with Amy Garapic on vibraphone/drums and Mac McCaughan on keyboard/guitar/drums/vocals. Our Way to Fall My Heart’s Reflection Stockholm Syndrome Tears Are In Your Eyes Damage The Summer Oh No Not My Baby (Carole King/Gerry Goffin) (MM on vocals) False Alarm > Styles of the Times Deeper Into Movies Double Dare Blue Line Swinger (minus MM) *(encore)* Paul Is Dead I Can’t Make It On Time (The Ramones) (with Jon Wurster as Marky Ramone) Sheena Is A Punk Rocker (The Ramones) (with JW/MR) Detouring America With Horns (acoustic) [ If reposting, kindly credit Frank & Earthy: Ylt | Jesse Jarnow / @bourgwick ]
night 6: Yo La Tengo at Bowery Ballroom 17 December 2017 *(Hanukkah, night 6)* comedian: Eugene Mirman opening act: Tweedy mix CD: James whole show with Jeff Tweedy on guitar/vocals/bass and Spencer Tweedy on drums. Eight Days A Week (The Beatles) Little Eyes The Point Of It Season of the Shark Mr. Tough Did I Tell You If I Ever Was A Child (Wilco) (JT on vocals) When It’s Dark My Heart’s Not In It (Russ Titelman/Gerry Goffin) My Back Pages (Bob Dylan) (JT on vocals) I Should Have Known Better Drug Test (minus JT & ST) Mushroom Cloud of Hiss (minus JT & ST) *(encore)* I’m A Believer (Neil Diamond) (minus JT & ST) Jeepster (T-Rex) (with Todd Barry on drums) Just What I Needed (The Cars) Take Care (Alex Chilton) [ If reposting, kindly credit Frank & Earthy: Ylt | Jesse Jarnow / @bourgwick ]
night 7: Yo La Tengo at Bowery Ballroom 18 December 2017 *(Hanukkah, night 7)* comedians: Josh Gondelman, Chris Gethard opening act: 75 Dollar Bill mix CD: Georgia whole show with Fred Armisen on drums. Here To Fall Let’s Save Tony Orlando’s House Flying Lesson (Hot Chicken #1) Satellite Let’s Compromise (Information) (with Rick Brown on drums/vocals & Che Chen on guitar of 75 Dollar Bill) The Ballad of Red Buckets (with RB & CC) Barnaby, Hardly Working (with RB & CC) Nowhere Near Wonderful Again (Hypnolovewheel) (with Stephen Hunking of the XL Kings on guitar/vocals) Autumn Sweater The Story of Jazz > Nothing To Hide Heroin (Velvet Underground) (Roky Erickson arrangement) (with Tara Key of Antietam on guitar) *(encore)* Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love (Van Halen) (Minutemen arrangement) Walk Away Renee (The Left Banke) Ghost Rider (Suicide) (with Michael Shannon on vocals) Griselda (Antonia/Peter Stampfel) [ If reposting, kindly credit Frank & Earthy: Ylt | Jesse Jarnow / @bourgwick ]
night 8: Yo La Tengo at Bowery Ballroom 19 December 2017 *(Hanukkah, night 8)* comedian: Jon Glaser (as Beer Joe) opening act: Sun Ra Arkestra mix CD: Derrick Carter members of the Sun Ra Arkestra enter during “I Feel Like Going Home” outro and stay through rest of set: Michael Ray, Knoel Scott, Vincent Chancey, Danny Ray Thompson, Dave Davis Big Day Coming (quiet) Five-Cornered Drone (Crispy Duck) Today Is The Day (fast) Upside Down Is That Enough The Weakest Part I’ll Be Around I Feel Like Going Home Dreaming (Sun Ra) Sudden Organ Emulsified (electric) (Rex Garvin & the Might Cravers) Clumsy Grandmother Serves Delicious Desert By Mistake > And the Glitter Is Gone > Nuclear War (Sun Ra) *(encore)* Rock and Roll Santa (Jan Terri) More Stars Than There Are In Heaven My Little Corner of the World (Bob Hilliard & Lee Pockriss) (with Marilyn Kaplan on vocals) [ If reposting, kindly credit Frank & Earthy: Ylt | Jesse Jarnow / @bourgwick ]
Mind if I join you? I was wondering indeed what they might be because YLT have made so many albums now. Even though people most likely wouldn't bring up "Ride The Tiger" here. But "Fakebook" is an early high. Anyway. Great band, my only "problem" would be that from "May I Sing With Me" onwards the albums start to get longer and longer. Which makes them kinda hard to digest.
I'm here for this thread! I've long felt disappointed that this amazing group didn't have a more centralized fanbase. They are probably my favorite long-running band that still exists and I've seen them eight times. In April I'll make it ten! They're clearly announcing a new record very soon and I'm psyched. For me the masterpieces are Fakebook, Electr-O-Pura, ICHTHBAO, And Then Nothing..., Summer Sun (controversial!) and Beat Your Ass. But I think every record save the first one is excellent. Plus a lot of their EPs. One of my big wishlist items is a vinyl reissue of the Little Honda EP, which is a great release on its own. I have a nicely sized collection of 7" and 12" singles and such. Would love to see what others have got.
Yeah, they have terrific songs on every single release! Good call on Fakebook, I love that one, as with Genius + Love. Summer Sun I'm torn on, I used to love it when it first came out but I cooled on it over time. I didn't get into them until rather late, so I don't have a whole lot of the more rare stuff. Mostly just their albums proper on CD, with a few CD singles here and there. I'm glad to have more folks on board, they're just such a remarkably consistent and interesting band.
I'm on board. I'll start out by saying that YLT are, to date, the only band I've ever become a fan of via file-sharing. Back in the early 2000's, I downloaded a bunch of tracks off of Kazaa or one of those services and really liked them. I was actually listening one night while working and had a "What am I listening to?" moment where I literally couldn't remember what artist I was playing. I've bought a few albums since then and managed to catch them live once (looking forward to seeing them again in Chapel Hill this spring). Their style is so diverse that they can sound like an indie-pop band or they can sound like Can. Definitely one of the great, underappreciated bands out there.
Will be catching them when the pass through Chicago in March. Only saw them in festival settings or as an opener - looking forward to a full show.
Love Ride The Tiger. Very underrated. I also love President YLT. Although some consider it an EP at 7 songs and ~30 minutes, it’s their first truly great album to me. Hard to beat “Barnaby” and “Drug Test” as a one-two opening punch. Fakebook is great, of course, if a little detour in their discography. And although most consider Painful to be the start of their truly great streak, the prior year’s May I Sing With Me is amazing too. It’s also the album where the lineup solidified, with James McNew joining on bass.
Glad to see more traction! I'm really disappointed that there won't be tapes of those Hanukkah shows, the setlists look amazing! I'd usually been looking forward to times when NYC Taper would get good recordings of their live sets, I'm hoping this is just a bump in the road. Seeing them live, the first time at the Pitchfork Festival in 2009, and hearing their live sets is what pushed me into full-blown fandom. Very few other bands can swing from indie pop to Sun Ra to VU style freakouts so smoothly and effortlessly. I also liked their brief detour as Condo F***s, F***book was lots of fun and such an inside baseball nerdy thing to do. Really a big fan of their contributions to the WFMU marathons each year when they cover any song requested by a donor over a certain level. Lots of awkward fun.
Ive never seen them live but they have some great albums and I feel ive only scratched the surface of their discography. I think repeated listens are required to delve into their stuff in a meaningful way.
I was at the Pitchfork Fest in 09, too. Another time that I saw them was when the opened for Wilco in South Bend, IN in 2010. Ben Keith past away the same day or day before and they did a great version of For the Turnstiles. Lastly the only time my wife visited the Portland, OR area , I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your A** served as the soundtrack for much of the trip. Driving around the Japanese Gardens/The International Rose Test Gardens - Mr Tough into Black Flowers. A great time.
I ignored them in the 90s. For some reason, having never heard their music, I picked up their biography at the local library. Tales of food on the road intrigued me enough to start dabbling... What a dense discography, and yet not a dud in it. I love that they can swing from a thirty minute noisefest to something as sublime as By the Time it Gets Dark. I find many of their songs deeply moving. I now have all their albums, the two rarities sets, the EPs and several singles. Their classic run is indeed classic, but I also love Sounds of the Sounds of Science, The Today is the Day EP, and most days rate Fade as my favourite. It’s hard to think of a band who are still releasing quality material so far into their career. As for the recent Hannukah sets, If I Ever Was a Child with the Tweedys? I can’t imagine what YLT could do with that Wilco slow burner. Wow.
Fade was great too, yes. Though I was more than a little miffed that Matador released a 2-disc "deluxe" version less than a year after it came out, and the only way to get it meant having to rebuy the original album again. Think that was more the label's doing though, as they had a similar thing with a Kurt Vile release that same year. That Jesse Jarnow book is essential reading.
I have a hodgepodge of their albums, got into them circa 1999/2000 but have only seen them once (in 2003, with The Clean opening) and unfortunately had to leave because my wife got hit with a really bad cold that night. Speaking of the WFMU marathons, I really like the two Yo La Tengo Is Murdering the Classics comps from those performances that they have sold through their website - sloppy, but fun.
My favorites are Painful, I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One (the first one I picked up), And Then Nothing..., and I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass (one of my all time favorite album titles as well). I have the 2-CD comp they put out in the early 2000s, but only have two or three other albums besides the Murdering the Classics releases, and need to expand my collection. Very cool idea to have a dedicated all-purpose thread, and those Bowery setlists looked great.
Getting in on this. YLT is absolutely one of my favorite bands. Every time I listen to something I find something new and I swoon. I'd say my favorites are pretty much the classics (I Can Hear the Heart, Painful, And Then Nothing) as well as I Am Not Afraid of You, my introduction to their music. (I also dig Popular Songs, especially the final trio of epics, but I feel that people might overlook this one. Same with Fade.) I'm seeing them in April in Philly and I could not be more excited.