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quentinc
11 Sep 2006, 10:13 PM
Are they any good live?

They're coming to San Antonio next month, and I'd go, but for two people, the price, after all the bullshit convenience charges and things that Ticketmaster adds, is somewhere around $80. I don't think my parents are willing to foot it, and I don't want to be a dick and make my girlfriend pay.

So the question: Is Wilco worth $80 to see at a mediocre venue?

Note: I have no significant source of income at this point that outweighs my expenses, so yes, $80 is expensive.
Lanky134
11 Sep 2006, 10:22 PM
They remain a really good live band, but I prefer their first three albums, and most of their set these is comprised of the last two. Having seen the documentary, I understand why they had to kick out Jay Bennett, but the musicality he brought to the band can't be replaced. Based on A Ghost Is Born, Tweedy apparently didn't want to replace him.
655321
12 Sep 2006, 01:37 PM
Totally worth it.
yossarian
12 Sep 2006, 01:53 PM
They remain a really good live band, but I prefer their first three albums, and most of their set these is comprised of the last two. Having seen the documentary, I understand why they had to kick out Jay Bennett, but the musicality he brought to the band can't be replaced. Based on A Ghost Is Born, Tweedy apparently didn't want to replace him.

Interesting that you like the first three albums the best.....or better than the last two since Jay wasn't in the band for "A.M." and was for "YHF." Nothing wrong with that....just interesting. IMHO, "A.M." is still very much an Uncle Tupelo album (just without the other Jay....;) ) despite being Wilco's official debut.

"YHF" is very much characterized by Bennett's influence, again, IMHO. You are correct, though, that on their tour over the last year and a half most of the songs have come from "Ghost" and "YHF." The two shows I saw, they did throw in a few songs from "Summerteeth" and "Being There." "Passenger side" is the only thing I can recall being included from "A.M."
Lanky134
12 Sep 2006, 02:09 PM
Interesting that you like the first three albums the best.....or better than the last two since Jay wasn't in the band for "A.M." and was for "YHF." Nothing wrong with that....just interesting. IMHO, "A.M." is still very much an Uncle Tupelo album (just without the other Jay....;) ) despite being Wilco's official debut.

Right. Jay wasn't a member for AM, but, as I recall he is thanked on the album, and became a member during the tour, very much like Leroy did after Jay got kicked out.

"YHF" is very much characterized by Bennett's influence, again, IMHO. You are correct, though, that on their tour over the last year and a half most of the songs have come from "Ghost" and "YHF." The two shows I saw, they did throw in a few songs from "Summerteeth" and "Being There." "Passenger side" is the only thing I can recall being included from "A.M."

While Jay played on YHF, it is very much a "Jeff" album, reflecting his desire to deconstruct his songs, whereas Summerteeth and Being There represent a greater balance between the two men. The alternate takes that were used in the movie had a lot more of Jay's eclecticism and pop classicism in there. I like YHF a lot, actually, but I prefer the more traditional song stylings on the previous albums.
AndSomeAreAngels
12 Sep 2006, 02:10 PM
Are they any good live?

Not trying to be that guy, but I've seen lots and lots of live shows. I mean LOTS.

Wilco @ Stubb's remains one of my top 3 shows of all-time. My jaw was on the ground for about 3 weeks afterwards.

I went in loving YHF and being pretty "meh" on Ghost is Born, but I was just floored by the way they translated Ghost is Born into their live performance.

Next time they play Stubb's, I think I'm flying back to see it. They were that good.
yossarian
12 Sep 2006, 02:20 PM
Right. Jay wasn't a member for AM, but, as I recall he is thanked on the album, and became a member during the tour, very much like Leroy did after Jay got kicked out.

He did join during the tour. I'd have to check the liner notes on my copy of "AM" to see if he's thanked as I have no reason to doubt you but can't recall off the top of my head.


While Jay played on YHF, it is very much a "Jeff" album, reflecting his desire to deconstruct his songs, whereas Summerteeth and Being There represent a greater balance between the two men. The alternate takes that were used in the movie had a lot more of Jay's eclecticism and pop classicism in there. I like YHF a lot, actually, but I prefer the more traditional song stylings on the previous albums.

I won't disagree that "Summerteeth" and "Being There" are more balanced but Jay was still pretty heavily involved in most aspects of "YHF." As knowledgable as you are about the band you've probably already read this interview but just in case you haven't.......

http://www.gloriousnoise.com/?pg=bennett.php

.....some pretty interesting insight into Jay's influence and departure.
kopiteinkc
12 Sep 2006, 02:35 PM
I think 80 bucks would be well spent, they do a great live show.
usscouse
12 Sep 2006, 03:37 PM
Wow! you guys have far, far too much time and money on your hands..............!
655321
12 Sep 2006, 05:37 PM
A Ghost Is Born is my personal favorite of theirs.
AndSomeAreAngels
12 Sep 2006, 06:25 PM
A Ghost Is Born is my personal favorite of theirs.

Me too, but it took some time, and a live performance of most of the album, for it to really click with me.

It's not as solid throughout the album as YHF, but it's got their best songs on it, IMO.
yossarian
12 Sep 2006, 10:50 PM
Me too, but it took some time, and a live performance of most of the album, for it to really click with me.

It's not as solid throughout the album as YHF, but it's got their best songs on it, IMO.

Their albums are like children to me......I couldn't pick a favorite.
Lanky134
12 Sep 2006, 11:08 PM
As knowledgable as you are about the band you've probably already read this interview but just in case you haven't.......

http://www.gloriousnoise.com/?pg=bennett.php

.....some pretty interesting insight into Jay's influence and departure.

Thanks. I may have read that at the time. Some of it seems familiar. But man, Jay just overexplains everything, doesn't he?
yossarian
13 Sep 2006, 07:51 AM
Thanks. I may have read that at the time. Some of it seems familiar. But man, Jay just overexplains everything, doesn't he?

Probably why Tweedy got sick of him......;)

IIRC, there are times in the documentary (I am trying....) when Jay is rambling on and on and the rest of the band members are sort of looking at each other like...."is he done yet?"

Regardless....like you....I appreciate what he brought to the band but still think "A Ghost..." is an excellent record despite his absence.
655321
13 Sep 2006, 12:12 PM
The only think more annoying in the documentray than Jay was the way Jeff Tweedy refused to give him any respect at all, as if he was just totally above it.
yossarian
13 Sep 2006, 01:31 PM
The only think more annoying in the documentray than Jay was the way Jeff Tweedy refused to give him any respect at all, as if he was just totally above it.

I've read interviews where Jeff has only good things to say about Jay Bennett. I just think that the documentary very candidly captured the souring of the relationship between the two.....not that Tweedy was intentionally trying to convey disrespect. Obviously, I'm speculating to an extent.

That being said, Tweedy is supposedly not the easiest person to work with. I also recall reading some things indicating that he and Billy Bragg had many "disagreements" during the making of "Mermaid Avenue."