If I recall correctly, Greg Kot uses that term at the very end of the Wilco movie. I’m referencing Jay being dismissed from the band and the break-up of the Tweedy-Bennett songwriting partnership. edit: actually, it may have been David Fricke who said it.
In his book, Tweedy basically blames his "divorce" from Jay Bennett on their mutual painkiller addictions (though their differing views on mixing YHF and a few instances of Jay indulging in the "reality show" limelight of the documentary they were making didn't help things either), but kicking Jay out of the band was Tweedy's way of removing temptation as he was trying to get clean. It's a shame it had to go that way, and sad that Jay didn't get the help he needed. 8 years after co-writing 8 of the 11 songs on an era defining, critically-lauded album, five solo albums and collabs with several other artists post-Wilco, Bennett was dead at the age of 45, taking too much pain medication because he couldn't afford the hip surgery he needed and insurance wouldn't cover a "pre-existing condition." So sad.
Who was the first poet who dreamed of achieving immortality for himself and his subject by writing down a verse? Who knows. Oh, irony. This theme used to come up a lot in English Lit classes, so I just looked up some Shakespeare for old times, and the opening couplet to his Sonnet LV amuses me: Not marble, nor the gilded monuments Of princes shall outlive this powerful rhyme; But you shall shine more bright in these contents Than unswept stone besmeared with sluttish time. "Babe, first of all, let me say, you're so lucky to have me rap about you right now." Anyway, "Another Man's Done Gone" is a beautiful fragment, and another one that sounds like it could've been a regular Wilco song, regardless of whether Jeff & Jay actually had a hand in composing it. Jeff really sounds like a man at his breaking point, one who feels too much. Woody's narrator says that he doesn't know what the future holds for him, but he's intimating that he feels like he's reaching the end. This is his epitaph for himself. Not that he's as confident as Shakespeare about achieving immortality--he feels like his scribbling might stay. That little detail says a lot about him, too. Apparently, Jeff could relate.
"Another Man's Done Gone" Is it weird that I keep thinking of Randy Newman while I listen to this one? It seems like just a snippet of an idea, but Jeff's singing brings out something heartfelt. A unique track on this album, and quite a good one too.
There's an early seventies vibe to this, kind of like, what's his name? the guy who does all the film soundtracks now? Gorgeous song.
Today we come to the final song on Mermaid Avenue: The Unwelcome Guest Weirdly, this song doesn't have an entry at all in Wilcopedia, despite several of the other 'Bragg' songs getting entries. This one doesn't even warrant a mention. It is another absolutely gorgeous song and a very fitting and moving finale for the album. The lyric is from the perspective of a Robin Hood figure who addresses his horse as they ride around doing outlaw things. He reflects on his inevitable death and how the rich hate him, but he thinks his work is noble and that there will always be more like him to fill his shoes after he's gone. It's a socialist dream from Woody, but presented in a really reflective and human way--every good deed must be punished and there will always be fat cats at the top keeping everyone else down. My main interest on this song is not the lyrics though, but the beautiful music. Jay Bennett shines on both piano and a melodica solo. Jeff Tweedy contributes gentle harmonica and chimes in on a harmony vocal for a large portion of the song. Perhaps this is why this song was placed last? It is one of the only times on the album when Jeff and Billy sing together. Both of their voices are very wistful and plaintive. This is Bob Egan's swan song on pedal steel and his work is enchanting. 'The Unwelcome Guest' is a really amazing mood piece that captures the image of a lonely rider out in the forests and glens at night, sleeping in barns and speaking with his horse. It brings things to a gentle conclusion. Wonderful. Today is also wrap up day for Mermaid Avenue (Volume 1). Any thoughts you have on the project as a whole, more tracks, live performances, etc., should be shared today before we move on to (drum roll) Summerteeth. (I'll do my song ranking and final thoughts in a bit).
I know the AM and Being There ship has already sailed. What are everyone's thoughts on the bonus material that accompanied both the deluxe reissues of AM and BT? Do you listen to the outtakes and demos? Any revelations ?
The Unwelcome Guest: I clicked on the song and realized that I’m drawing a blank (after having owned this from the time of original release). Have I been turning it off after Another Man’s Done Gone?! Not sure. I don’t care for Bragg’s vocals on this song. Pretty monotonous to my ears. Jeff’s harmony vocal really helps out and improves things.
Wilco Album-by-Album Playlist: (To date) I Must Be High Casino Queen Box Full of Letters Shouldn’t Be Ashamed Should’ve Been In Love Passenger Side Radio King* Misunderstood Far, Far Away Monday Outtasite (Outta Mind) Red-eyed and Blue I Got You (At the End of the Century) Say You Miss Me Sunken Treasure Someone Else’s Song Why Would You Wanna Live The Lonely 1 Dreamer In My Dreams Blasting Fonda** Those I’ll Provide*** California Stars Hoodoo Voodoo At My Window Sad And Lonely One By One Another Man’s Done Gone *Golden Smog release **Soundtrack ***Courtesy Move
While it's pretty and well-instrumented (again!), I'm not as big a fan of The Unwelcome Guest. While Bragg's vocals may be right for the song, like Zeki I find them less interesting and not completely convincing here. The socialist sentiment is too prominent for my taste here - "take the money and spread it out equal" and "the rich we'll cut down" don't work for me (I don't want this to turn into a policitcal discussion). I think the previous song would have been a better closer. Nevertheless, Mermaid Avenue remains a very strong album, and one I'll have to revisit as a whole on the main stereo soon. So many great tracks, and the sound is timeless!
I have both of these deluxe editions and enjoy them. However, I have come to terms with the fact that I'm not really much of a outtakes/demos listener. I never seem to listen to that stuff for any of the artists I love. I tend to be all about the main albums, so there isn't anything on either of those sets that blows me away or that I prefer to the album tracks. But there is good stuff. The highlight of the Being There set for me is the live material. Wilco is a great live band (Kicking Television is one of my favorite live albums) and I'm glad to have another full official show from them, especially from a different era of the band. Mermaid Avenue final thoughts This set is a personal favorite for me in the Wilco catalog. As I said at the beginning, I don't personally think of it as a side project or as being outside the main canon. I think of it as a main Wilco project (with Billy Bragg, of course) and I love it as such. I have played it quite frequently for years and it is always highly enjoyable. It is such a warm, rich album full of songs that I feel are just gorgeous. Sublime arrangements, beautiful performances and Woody Guthrie's words are by turns charming, moving and wise. This is another step in the evolution of the band and more of the lessons they learned here would be applied to the next Wilco album. My song ranking and ratings: 1. Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key (A+) 2. At My Window Sad and Lonely (A+) 3. Another Man's Done Gone (A) 4. California Stars (A) 5. She Came Along to Me (A) 6. Eisler on the Go (A) 7. Birds and Ships (A-) 8. Hesitating Beauty (A-) 9. I Guess I Planted (B+) 10. The Unwelcome Guest (B+) 11. Ingrid Bergman (B) 12. One by One (B) 13. Walt Whitman's Niece (B) 14. Hoodoo Voodoo (B-) 15. Christ for President (C+) Yep, my favorite is actually one of the Billy Bragg songs.
I've somewhat forgotten how much I like Ode to Joy. Wilcos output is so consistently good you take it for granted. What's everyone's favorite of the last three Wilco albums?
I've had the EXACT same experience. Like I had never heard it in my life… Remember how some of us said just yesterday that "Another Man’s Done Gone" could've been a great closer ?? I guess unconsciously, we erased the "unwelcome" extra song ! And yet, listening to it right now, it's a very nice track, another cool one with a strong Band feel. And I must admit that as far as sequencing goes, "Another Man's Done Gone" is indeed better as a short miraculous link towards the finale. Go figure how our brains work… Edit : just listened to it again, and noticed that Jeff approches his backing vocals here like Dylan's in the Johnny Cash/Bod Dylan sessions : he does not harmonize, he sings a semi improvised second lead, parallel to Billy's. Interesting. I'm pretty sure the bootleg was already circulating at the time.
I had that same experience years ago, myself, because I used to skip the songs with Bragg on lead vocal. But I've come to really like this one. I said something similar during the discussion of "Christ for President," but I enjoy Woody's attempts to filter socialist ideology through Christian biblical source material.
Wow, wow, wow, hold your horses now. We will most definitely answer this question, but in approximatively five months time !
Lol, Fortuleo! This made me laugh. Houseplants--Ode to Joy is absolutely wonderful and my favorite of the last three. It is actually sort of responsible for this thread even happening. It impressed me so much that it really renewed my affection for this band and set me on a big Wilco kick and here we are discussing every song the band has ever released.
This has been such an in depth examination of Wilco's catalog. I think 5 months is wishful thinking. I hope I'm alive by the time we get to OTJ.
Have to agree, I don't care for Bragg's vocal on this one. I think they should have gotten Emmylou Harris to sing it. Another Man's Done Gone would have been a perfect album closer. Unwelcome Guest makes this LP drag on just a bit too long. I'd have saved it for Vol. 2.
"The Unwelcome Guest"- Perfect song to end the album. I like the flow of the lyrics and the blending of their voices. It was a good call to have them both sing on it to end the album. Jeff's backing vocal does kick this one up a notch. 4.5/5 I'm kind of surprised people don't seem t0 care for this one.
Thanks for everyone's great posts. Going from Being There to Mermaid Ave. and now heading into Summerteeth, these years are truly the Golden Age for Wilco and the height of the Tweedy / Bennett partnership. It'll be interesting to see your thoughts on the divisive album that is Summerteeth! Some people (e.g. John Stiratt) feel that Bennett went overboard with the overdubs, others (e.g. me) think it's great. I also think Tweedy wrote perhaps his most sublime lyrics for this album. Wait, we are doing Summerteeth next, right?!?
