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I’ve seen a lot of great concerts in my day. I saw AC/DC blow Aerosmith off the stage way back in 1978. I was right up front when the Ramones scorched a tiny hall in Munich in 1980 and was stunned with delight when the Clash roared through their setlist in ‘81. I’ve been mesmeized by more great bands than I have room or energy to talk about here.
But I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better show than last night’s performance by Wilco.
The band is legendary for envisioning new boundaries and then nonchalantly breaking them, and that’s just what they did last night. The texture was so rich you could feel it with your outstretched palms. Their sound was clear, yet not overly crisp. They were crafstmanlike without being too tight, artistic without being inaccessible.
There’s just no comparison between the band’s admittedly great studio albums and their transcendent live peformances. You have to experience it to understand, so I’m gonna stop trying.
Just go see them.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 9, 05 @ 10:08 am
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there’s been a breach of weblog. joincross has just hacked into the capitolfax blog.
lordjesus, save us all.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 9, 05 @ 10:57 am
Rich, nice parody of a Rolling Stone concert review. You even worked in the word “transcendent”!
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 9, 05 @ 11:47 am
Rich doesn’t know a lot about politics, but he knows his music. Wilco rocks. It’s no wonder Wilco doesn’t get major airplay of formula radio stations!
Comment by theheadusher Wednesday, Feb 9, 05 @ 12:06 pm
Great band that is not shy about their politics. They recently contributed to a Sudan Relief Album. But, the best part is their Chicago roots.
http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=sudanrelief
Comment by Save Sudan Wednesday, Feb 9, 05 @ 2:03 pm
I was there, too, and Rich, you’re right on every count.
Not only were their performances of their OWN songs “transcendent,” but they also pulled off some fantastic, energetic, and appropriately-timed covers including Randy Newman’s “Drop the Big One, Now” and Blue Oyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear the Reaper”–featuring a roadie on, yes, the cowbell.
I agree: Go see them.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 9, 05 @ 2:57 pm
Wow…interesting to see a music discussion on the blog. I was at the show last night and I must agree that it was a fantastic show. I must disagree that it was the best, though, as I also saw Wilco when they played the Fox in St. Louis and that was the best. At least one selection from each release (including a roaring “Casino Queenâ€) plus an Uncle Tupelo gem (“New Madridâ€). Tweedy’s folks were in the audience plus the proximity to his hometown (they might be based in Chicago, but their “roots†are in Belleville, my friends) made for a show that was beyond fantastic, a show that was not to be missed.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 9, 05 @ 6:43 pm
Looks like Blaggo and the Blagettes have captured the CapFax Blog and turned into a rock rlog! Speaking of venues SOS Jesse White and the Tumblers played the SIU Arena Wednesday nite. They got a standinf O Locals report the Blaggo was booed last week. Pray the CapFax can detox soon.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 9, 05 @ 11:34 pm
Randy Newman’s “Drop the Big One, Now” as mentioned above is actually titled “Political Science”
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 10, 05 @ 11:41 am