How Good Was Wilco?
October 10, 2007
I’ve seen Wilco nearly a dozen times over the years and I have to say that last night at the Eagles Ballroom they topped themselves. Jeff Tweedy’s new line up, touring in support of their latest album Sky Blue Sky, has replaced all the bleeps, whizzes and whistles of years past and has taken their sound back to some very solid rock & roll roots. Their new traditional rock sound is big, shambling and loose jointed. Think Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Review, or Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour. Perhaps Delaney & Bonnie and Friends of Leon Russell’s great bands of the 70s.
Their musicianship was impeccable and the song selection spanned all of Wilco’s career. It’s still impressive that they can continue to draw several thousand people in a city that gives them nearly no airplay.
Gotta agree, Scott. I’ve seen Wilco/Tweedy probably about 30 times.
The only shows I would say that were better were some just after Summerteeth just came out. Those songs are Tweedy’s best work so it was certainly exciting to see them live for the first time. But the quality of the performance That “someone else’s song” sans PA was unbelievable.
The band has never been tighter, but I think the big reason is that they now play a lot of theater type setting whereas the Eagle’s Ballroom is definitely a rock club. I saw them a couple of weeks ago in Madison at a great theater with great sound, but nowhere near reached the electricity of the Eagle’s show.
I’ve only heard Wilco a handful of times on 88.9. Any chance they’ll appear more in the future?
I’ve seen about 20 concerts this year (not including all three days at Lollapalooza). This Wilco show ranks up there with the best shows (Top three have been The Decemberists at the Pabst, Flaming Lips in Madison, and this show).
We caught the band while they were, according to Jeff Tweedy, “hitting all cylinders”. He described their performance as if “15 Wilcos were on stage”.
I’d have to agree. I too would like to hear more Wilco on 88.9. They are a band that resonates with a broad group of listeners.