I’ve been wondering if we might want to cover this? Maybe not song by song, but perhaps in something like four days? As I recall, there are some Jeff demos; band demos; maybe some alt mixes (can’t remember on this point); and then the live set. I find one of the more interesting points is the concurrent development of Tried and True and Summerteeth which share some of the same DNA.
I’d be up for it. There’s the one outtake, too: Viking Dan. (Which is playing at this very moment. And it’s great!)
No promises on a daily cadence, but here are some thoughts on the first batch of demos on the Summerteeth deluxe set. It starts with eleven Tweedy solo demos. Coming off of the raucous Being There, these are pretty down tempo tunes. There’s not much to hint at the 60s-inspired sunshine of the final arrangements. In fact, I’m not sure how I’d respond to these if I were in the band. Definitely some interesting material here, though, especially the beta versions of a few songs that were re-written for the final product. Plus, of course, some bits that wouldn’t come out until years later. Here’s an overview of these solo demos: I’m Always in Love - a much slower version with a cool little kick halfway through Candy floss - the only upbeat demo of the bunch and the only one that hints at what might come on the album In a Future Age - an acoustic template close to the final version She’s a Jar - close to the final version Nothings ever...- fully formed template except that it’s sung in a lower register Some early versions that evolved into other songs: Tried and True - early version of Summerteeth with different chorus All I Need - early version of A Shot in the Arm. Very mopey and Jeff’s vocal is really rough. Note the use of the Maj7 chord, which is a very “pop” chord Can’t Locator It - the riff that will be used in Can’t Stand It and Locator Other songs that didn’t make the album: I’ll Sing It - remarkably similar to the version that would come out years later on Sukierae. The final version has the breakdown with the warbly tape effect which I wonder if it’s a nod to this early lofi demo Two Guitars - pretty instrumental. Wonder if this is all Jeff or Jeff and Jay? No Hurry - a rare one in Jeff’s higher register. A bit plodding, but the key change at the end is a cool trick
Here’s the acoustic demo of Tried and True. I had forgotten there’s a proper version on Alpha Mike. Anyone know the original source for that?
No Hurry. He’s played this one on the Tweedy Show. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll post some thoughts on the full band demos. Then the live stuff after that. Any thoughts on these acoustic demos as a bridge between Being There (plus Mermaid I suppose) and the final Summerteeth? I know some of us love the album and others think it’s an overproduced mess.
I told you I’d be slow, but here are some thoughts on the band demos. The next round of demos are band versions with arrangements beginning to flesh out. These have a little more energy than the solo acoustic ones, but are still pretty slow by and large. Jeff sounds pretty sedated on these, and there’s likely good reason. Overall, the arrangements are relaxed with some real laid back soul to them. This is before Jay bought the (infamous?) mellotron so there is a closer sonic connection to Being There, although there’s not much country influence... but the blue-eyed soul vibe feels like part of the Americana world. Here’s what we have: Summerteeth (Slow Rhodes) - just what it says. A demo of Summerteeth but much slower and driven by Rhodes piano. A nice alternate version, but the real song isn’t there yet. Pieholden Suite - another slow, acoustic led song, but this one has all the bones of what will become one or early Wilco’s more complex tunes. I’m Always in Love - the most upbeat of these tunes, though still slower than the final version. The big synth line is whistled by Jeff at the end, so some of the melodic vision seems to have been there from the start My Darling - Jay’s beautiful ballad is pretty close to the final version with Hammond organ and piano already in place. Tried and True - an upbeat version with some jaunty piano and a layered arrangement. I think I hear some pedal steel toward the end. She’s a Jar - a thick arrangement with Hammond organ and cool Wah guitar from Jay. Maybe banjo too? It doesn’t have all the sonic signatures of the final version, but it’s getting there. Nothingsever... - a slow version that doesn’t yet have the galloping drums. Weird. Where the acoustic demo was sung in the lower register, this ones up the octave. Jay does a crazy solo at the end (or maybe that’s Jeff?), but that can’t save it. Still lacking in energy. Candy floss - now we’re getting somewhere with an instrumental arrangement that would fit on YHF or the Yellow Submarine soundtrack! ELT - our first real rocker and this time with synths. Not as good as the final version, but kind of fun with the pronounced piano. Viking Dan - an angry rocker with classic Bob Egan atmospheric pedal steel. Across almost six minutes, it doesn’t really go anywhere, though, so I can see why this one faded away. Check out Egan’s Airport Bar on Christmas Day... he may have taken some “inspiration” with him when he left Wilco. Summerteeth (Alternate) - another slower version that is closer to the final arrangement. The keyboards are there but the jaunty country lead guitar isn’t yet. This one highlights the George Harrison style slide part more than the final version. In a Future Age (Take 3) - a stripped back version that’s all minimal percussion, Rhodes and Jeff’s acoustic guitar. Much like the early Yankee stuff.
Is it just me, or does Wilco sound like a less manic Replacements? Maybe it's just Jeff sounds like Westerberg to me.
The Replacements were a huge influence on Uncle Tupelo and that definitely carried over into early Wilco. Jeff saw them in his teen years and then I believe there’s some crossover with the Golden Smog project which was Jeff and a lot of key Minneapolis guys.
I posted this over on the YHF Deluxe thread but here it is again: And for the Jay fans (like me), a diligent search and I found: “ The festival runs from Tuesday, Aug. 10 to Sunday, Aug. 15, kicking off with a sneak preview of another of Bechard’s films, Where Are You, Jay Bennett? It will be shown Tuesday at Cafe Nine and followed up with a Q&A with Bechard, as well as a musical tribute to the musician’s work both solo and with Wilco. This one is close to Bechard’s heart and close to being done. “It’s 98.62 percent finished,” he said. “It’s probably well known that it takes me a while to let go of films,” he added, noting it took him 11 years with Pizza, A Love Story. “This is on Wilco. This is a band I’ve seen 70 times. And it’s on the other genius in Wilco that most people don’t know about. So, I decided I wanted to do one sneak peek so I can read the audience reaction before I finalize it for its world premiere” — on Bennett’s birthday, Nov. 15, in Chicago. “And of course, my brother in arms Dean Falcone has put together a brilliant collection of local musicians to do a tribute to Jay’s music.” NHDocs Returns, Whets Appetite with "Pizza" | New Haven Independent
No shows from the latest tour have been uploaded to nugs.net - yet. But, some audience recordings have popped up in the usual places.
The most recent "Roadcase" show available is March 2020- Roadcase From what I've read about this tour... it's 3 acts a night (can't recall the opener, but anyone can just look it up) with Sleater-Kinney always playing a decent middle set & Wilco's final headlining set generallt being about 90 minutes and/or 20 songs or so. In short, an abbreviated "Festival" or "Casino" length headliner set. Usual Wilco headling sets tend to run 135 to 150 minutes (cloers to 30 songs- generally more than 2 dozen & less than 3 dozen). And, there has been very little variation in the setlist. That is also pretty unusual for Wilco- famous for playing loads of deep cuts/left field rarities all the time. Wilco is pretty much as fave a band as I've ever loved & pretty much the greatest live band I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. But I had to miss this last tour (nearest gig to me was last Thursday, the 26th) & those logistical details about the tour made missing it easier to take. I think the sets being so short make it kind of unlikely that any Roadcase downloads will end up officially being released (though I could be wrong). I'm curious, but not feverish, about hearing anything from this tour. Hopefully something pops up on the interweb... the already mentioned Nugs source is the most likely suspectI can think of .. and then there's some jambase type forum (might be the name... or something similar- easy enough to locate with a bit of effort) where the usual suspects/and-or info abou them abound (NYC Taper etc)... Good luck!
Damn - drop an opening act, give Sleater Kinney 45 minutes and go back to full shows I had tickets for 3 2020 shows right before it all shut down
I am always grasping some hope that they upload their Mexico City show from Jan 25 2020 to the Roadcase series, I traveled from Panama for my only Wilco show and would really like to relive it. and yes it was an awesome show
I am guessing & hoping we get back to that successful recipe/formula/format soon enough- opening act optional, but just maximize Wilco back up towards 2 & 1/2 hours & return to unpredictable & varied setlists at any given show.
I miss the 5 night residencies where they play every song the put out at least once....though I don't think I could pull off hitting all 5 shows again.
Except they didn't actually do that- damn near it though. Back when I was posting on the Via Chicago forum some (just haven't in a few years- love Wilco/Jeff just as much now, if not more) I remember folks talking about that possibility & I believe it was his wife (who most certainly posts there) who came on to clarify that they were not purporting to, or planning on, playing every single one- just lots of them, even mostod them, just not all. I just read something very recently (within the last month/few weeks).where Jeff claimed (or it was printed that he had claimed) that those residences involved Wilco playing all the songs in their catalog. Close, but no cigar & anyone can just look it up via those set lista. It might have felt like it to him, in retrospect & as I said, it was the great majority of their whole catalog. Close enough & a "true enough" statement, as those things roll & rock ("close euff for rock 'n' roll")- but factually, it's actually, not true.