If you feel like singing a song

Thanks to Good Friday I was sprung from work at noon. What better way to commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus than heading down to Chicago to see Jeff Tweedy play a benefit for Youth Scholarships at the Vic?

Despite Susan saying it would be like seeing a show in “a very large living room,” I didn’t have any particular expectations for the evening. Aside from the probability that I would freeze my face off in line outside, given the frigid wind chill. With the front and center sections reserved for folks who purchased tickets through the school, and the comparatively unusual crowd makeup, it promised to be interesting.

Early indications pointed to that being the case. Susan emerged from the Vic before the show to take song requests from people in line, an unorthodox and very cool move. I’m pretty good at drawing a blank in these situations, but lately I’ve had “Less Than You Think” on the brain. After seeing our first Jeff Tweedy show more than four years ago (also at the Vic) and being blown away, Gina and I sought advice on what albums or songs to acquire next. One friend told us there were some amazing new songs we should hear – specifically one called “Less Than You Think.” He told us where to download a spare version from a radio show, and I fell in love with it. The song had evolved by the time it appeared on A Ghost Is Born the following year, but I can remember how that very first exposure to the song made me feel – and realized I’d love to hear another simple rendition. So I put in that request (not knowing whether it was something Jeff was likely to play by himself) – and he did in fact play it that night, along with almost all of the other fan requests. I’m very glad he did.

The show, as it turned out, was largely based on those requests. Requests and voices. Between impressions of German journalists, Spanish talk show hosts, and a few others more difficult to categorize, Paul and I kept wondering if Jeff was channeling Mike Myers. Whatever inspired the night’s material, it was hilarious. The fact that many teachers from his kids’ school were in the crowd also led to some amusing moments.

Jeff ended up playing about thirty songs. Among them were “The Auld Triangle” and “Love and Mercy,” both of which fall under my “never expected to hear” heading. “Pot Kettle Black” is something I (and countless others) had been wanting to hear again for years. When Jeff caved and played it at his last living room show this year, I hoped it was just a matter of time – and sure enough, he honored a request for it on Friday. At last! The show also marked the first time “You Are My Face” was performed in public, and it sounded terrific. For a musician who plays so many shows for charity, Jeff continues to impress by going the extra mile (or ten) for all of them, making every one a memorable experience - more than worthwhile even if the proceeds weren’t going to a good cause. He and Susan are pretty amazing people.

Glad and sorry

Glad I got to go; sorry it's over. Tuesday night was the long-awaited return of Golden Smog to Chicago. I'd been looking forward to another Golden Smog show since this was announced, and bought my ticket when they went on sale - but recent intelligence reports that Jeff Tweedy would indeed be joining the band this time were certainly very tasty icing on the Smog cake. (Ew.) My second Golden Smog show in Minneapolis was a lot of fun, but I had been determined that someday I would see the full band together. That someday turned out to be September 19th, 2006.

Doors were fairly early; we were let into the Vic a little before 7:00. XRT was set up to tape the show, something I'm definitely looking forward to hearing. Tim O'Reagan opened the show with his band, including Jim Boquist, Peter Anderson on drums, and another guy whose name escapes me, but Tim first introduced as "a young Robert Redford". Sandy got her first of many shout-outs that night from Tim. The band played a nice variety of songs, ranging between tracks from his recent album, the Jayhawks' "Tampa to Tulsa", a Stealers Wheel cover, and an Everly Brothers tune.

And then it was time for Golden Smog. Any questions about whether Jeff would be brought out later as a "surprise" or just play throughout the night were put to rest when he walked onstage with everyone else to open the show. He is an full-fledged band member, after all. They launched into "Looking Forward to Seeing You", and we were off.

I enjoyed the night immensely. Plenty of old favorites, including songs I'd never heard played with a full band - "Lost Love", "Can't Keep From Talking" - and some I've heard plenty, like "If I Only Had a Car". The new songs were well-represented as well, and Jeff kind of took a backseat for many of those, sometimes leaving the stage or just jamming on a tambourine in the background. Several songs were helped out by a three-man horn section in the back, cleverly dubbed "The Chi-Town Horns" by Kraig. They played a couple of songs that I'd never seen live at all, like "Listen Joe" and "Long Time Ago". (Soundchecks don't count.) "Listen Joe" was particularly gorgeous, with Jeff really outdoing himself at the end on guitar. Gary reminded us that Golden Smog started out as a cover band, and accordingly we were treated to "Glad and Sorry", "Easy to be Hard", "Starman", a wonderful rendition of "Dang Me" - dedicated to Sandy - with Kraig on lead vocals, and a blistering "Revolution Blues". The final song was "Until You Came Along," and everyone from both bands piled onstage ... and then some. Blake joined in one one chorus, sharing a microphone with Gary and Kraig. Peter Anderson shook an orange like a maraca. Jeff sat on a stool in the keyboard nook and harmonized. I strongly believe that all concerts should end with a singalong like that. If they must end.

So much wine

A solid night of music at the Vic on Wednesday (after working, of course. Oof.) I'd never seen the Handsome Family before, despite a few narrow misses in Madison, so it felt like a small victory. Rennie Sparks is especially hilarious, which adds to any live performance. And Joanna Newsom was something of a revelation. I'd heard a few tracks from last year's album, and found it hard to get past her voice. It seemed so affected. But last night, from the moment she belted out her first song facing the audience, sans microphone and musical accompaniment, I was enthralled. First of all, watching anyone play the harp live and in person is kind of a rare treat. Secondly, her voice was captivating in a live setting. It didn't come across as affected ... if anything it seemed the polar opposite. Purely herself. The songs had a timeless quality I enjoyed - I felt like I could have been watching her sing and play them 200 years ago (or 200 years from now, in keeping with the Wired future theme) and they would translate the same way.

Besides the music, there was the adventure of getting up to the balcony with no house lights on when we arrived and were not yet accustomed to the dark. (They didn't turn on any house lights until the very end of the show.) And the prosthetic hand and the game of mind ball. Earlier there was wholesale thrifting with SnS (Bag Plaza is an excellent store), and afterward there was a late-night dinner at the Golden Nug. Also, we are apparently set for Louisville. Good times.

Dog balls and dudecake

So, today is the day to relax and kick back after Wilco and before U2. What a crazy four days. I figured out that between Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday I drove over 750 miles. Besides working and sitting in line and seeing rock shows. On Friday night I just stayed over and enjoyed the famous hospitality at Hotel S n S - I slept with Amelia and Cali. (Well, I woke at 6:00 to Cali walking on my back and purring next to my ear.)

Saturday's Wilco show has already been discussed quite a bit. From my perspective, the mood and demeanor of everyone onstage was amazingly upbeat and professional. Of course there was some frustration as things were going wrong, but I felt worse for Frankie than anyone else. I ended up enjoying it even more for its novelty. And I'm glad we won the "battle" over Kris, since otherwise he wouldn't have been in such a handy position to yell "WEAK SAUCE!" at Glenn. Nor for Jeff to leap over, take off his hat, muss up his hair, and give him a kiss. And then, suddenly, be laying on top of us.

Not to mention the songs! "Promising". Dudes. "Promising". And "New Madrid", and "SOMEDAY SOON"! I knew it would happen.

I also earned a dollar before the show. Ahem.

Not that tired!

How about that? I'm not sure what's up, but I'll take it. My current semi-perky state probably has something to do with the fact that last night's show started on time, and was over by 10:40 or so. I was home by 1:10, although I then checked in with work and wound up not getting to bed until 2:15 anyway. Despite the fact that yesterday I shuddered with every sip, I have another mug of coffee on my desk right now.

I have no idea how people drink coffee. I don't mean "I have no idea how people can drink something as nasty as coffee," though that applies as well, but rather "I am not from the Land of the Drinkers of Coffee, so I know not your ways and customs." I hear the words 'cream' and 'sugar' bandied about a lot, which is a good hint, but that's it. We have some high-tech coffee dispensing contraption in the kitchen, and it actually took me a minute to figure out how to pour a cup. I don't know if people actually drink coffee with milk (is that like a poor man's latte?) but that looked better than the non-dairy creamers to me. The composition of the substance currently in my mug is approximately 43% coffee, 50% milk, 4% sugar, and 3% hazelnut and chocolate flavored stuff from plastic pouches.

Anyway! Last night's show was really fun, and I'm expecting more fun tonight. Plus many more friends. And maybe a little less undressing from Jeff. Perhaps tonight's Hummingbird will actually be DVD-able! I think Cubs traffic is going to royally screw me heading down there this afternoon, but there's nothing I can do about it.