Febuary 19th, Duluth MN

Picture by Clint Austin/caustin@duluthnews.com

Back in 2001, Wilco brought their special blend of Americana Alt rock to First Avenue and treated the enraptured audience to a thrilling set of fan favorites and some less known treats while filmmaker Sam Jones was filming a little known documentary entitled “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart”. At the time, I didn’t realize these shows were being filmed, but it was a thrill nonetheless to know you were at a brilliant show that was captured for a celebrated documentary about one of your favorite bands at that moment in time. In recent years, as Jay Bennett “left” the band, and others after him, Wilco had become to me in modern days something of a curio. Something to look at for a couple minutes, and put back down while being reminded that they were once a group capable of writing interesting, melodic songs with fantastic arrangements. As the music went a simpler route (Sky Blue Sky), and I recognized fewer band members, I fell out of love with the band.

On Friday, February 19, 2010 I was reminded why Wilco matters, and why they keep getting more popular. Ripping through a two and a half hour set pulling from all points of their career, this is a band clearly happy and excited about where they stand in todays challenging musical climate. On a personal level, I loved the Jeff Tweedy/Jay Bennett version of Wilco to the point where once Jay was gone, I went a little bit ignorant on the bands music from “A Ghost Is Born” on. I never thought I would see how the group could be better than that group I saw at First Avenue back in 2001. I couldn’t have been more wrong. From the guitar work of Nels Cline to the drumming of Glenn Kotchke and all the way across the board, this is a group at the absolute peak of their powers and career arc, live and in the studio. The new songs work so well in a live setting, and it has made me re-discover “Sky Blue Sky” gems such as “Walken” and “Hate It Here”. Early on in the show, Tweedy joked that some teenager (Fresh faced Duluth Mayor Don Ness) had come up to see the band and made them an honorary Duluth band (a deserved honor as some of their swag purchases were being used to support Duluth area charities). Throughout the night, Tweedy would hold up the folder he was given by the mayor to cheers from the audience, bringing laughs from everyone in the house, every time.

One of the highlights of the night of highlights was Nels Clines guitar work on “Impossible Germany” now a staple of most recent Wilco shows. “Bull Black Nova” from last years Wilco (The Album) was another standout, a dark song on record, it felt even more ominous in a live setting. The fans carried “Jesus, etc” singing the songs first few verses and choruses, with Tweedy conducting frome the stage. They even dusted off rarity “Bob Dylan’s 49th Beard” and played a superb “Handshake Drugs” from the “More Like The Moon” EP.

The encore was a ridiculous joyride starting with “Via Chicago” (which at points devolved in to a complete noise freakout only to come out on the other side right on key and in time), “Kingpin” was played for some laughs as Tweedy tried rhyming “Living in… Duluth”, and ended with a guitar duel between Nels Cline and the understated sideman Pat Sansone on “Hoodoo Voodo” pushing the solos to a new level. This was a top notch concert, by a top notch band with a rabidly intense fanbase hanging on every note and I can’t wait for the next swing through Minnesota, wherever they want to play, I’ll be there.

Setlist:
Wilco (the Song) / A Shot in the Arm / I Am Trying to Break Your Heart / Bull Black Nova / You Are My Face / One Wing / Kamera / Ashes of American Flags / Wishful Thinking / Nothingsevergonnastandinmyway (again) / Sonny Feeling / Impossible Germany / California Stars / Bob Dylan’s 49th Beard / Handshake Drugs / You Never Know / Jesus, Etc. / Walken / I’m the Man Who Loves You / Hummingbird

ENCORE: Via Chicago / Airline to Heaven / Hate It Here / Heavy Metal Drummer / Kingpin / Casino Queen / Hoodoo Voodoo

Unbelievably sad news to report tonight as former Wilco multi-instrumentalist Jay Bennett has passed away. Jay was a very influential player in taking Wilco from their early days in the Alt-Country scene and helping transform them in to a highly respected and critically acclaimed American band. I was lucky enough to be at the First Avenue show featured in the “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart” documentary. He was a remarkable presence on stage and he will be missed. He was only 45 years old.

It appears Wilco will be releasing their first concert DVD in the first half of this new year.   “Ashes of American Flags” was filmed at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and also at Cains in Oklahoma.  While my absolute love and adoration for Wilco has waned since Jay Bennetts departure (and the subsequent sleepy “Sky Blue Sky”), this does sound like something worth checking out. 

They will also be releasing a new album sometime in 2009.   I’m never one to hope for a band to go back to what they used to do, but I am hoping the new release sounds a bit more “Summerteeth” than “Sky Blue Sky”.  At any rate, a new Wilco release is always something to look forward to and I’m sure I’ll be downloading it as soon as it (legally) becomes available.