Wilco heard my voice from Denver loud and clear. After the Baltimore trip, I proclaimed that more people should feel the power of a Wilco live set. They will be making it happen in '09 with their upcoming DVD "Ashes of American Flag".
Also due up for '09 is a new album in the Spring. I refuse to speculate on what the sound would be like as every album has been refreshingly unique. A new album always drags them out on a supporting tour, can't wait. I believe that made Christin's Christmas Eve!!!!
No Line On The Horizon is set to release in the States on March 3rd.
Here are the song titles listed in the Q album preview (as found on www.atu2.com):
"Magnificent" ("classic U2isms" ... "atmospheric sweep") "Crazy Tonight" (will.i.am worked on this one) "Stand Up" ("swaggering" ... "coruscated Edge guitar work") "Get Your Boots On" ("a heaving electro-rocker") "Winter" ("about a soldier in an unspecified war zone") "Unknown Caller" ("stately") "Moment of Surrender" ("a strident seven-minute epic recorded in a single take") "Breathe" (Eno loves this song) "No Line On The Horizon" (there were two versions being considered at the time) "Every Breaking Wave" (Bono: "We might be on to something special there.")
Also, thanks to Q Magazine for the picture. What a great photo. Bono looks hot in eye shadow.
Anniversary 2008 and it was time for Christin to see her first WILCO concert of 2008. I had seen them two other times this year, but this was going to be a treat because it was not only the first time Christin had seen them in '08, but it was also the first time my brother Jon and a friend's (due to blogger edict we shall call her M) first time seeing a full plugged in and energetic concert by WILCO. Having new people learn of WILCO is a guilty pleasure of mine.
As the band wandered out and strummed out the beautiful tune of Sunken Treasure it was for sure setup to be a gorgeous night at a venue Baltimore should be very proud of having. What I appreciated was that the fans were very reverent during Sunken Treasure allowing me to engulf myself in the moment. For those of you that have not heard the song, this is the truest form of poetry of our days. Allow me to share:
There's rows and rows of house, with windows painted blue.
With the light from the t.v. running parallel to you.
But there is no sunken treasure, rumored to be.
Wrapped inside my ribs in a sea black with ink.
I am so out of tune with you, I am so our of tune with you.
If I had a mountain, I'd try to fold it over.
If I had a boat (or bone), you know I'd probably roll over.
And I leave it on the shore, I'd leave it for somebody.
Surely there's somebody who needs it more than me.
I am so out of tune with you, I am so our of tune with you.
All the leaves will burn and autumn fires then return.
All the fires we burn, all will return.
Music is my savior, and I was maimed by rock and roll.
I was maimed by rock and roll.
I was tamed by rock and roll.
I got my name from rock and roll.
Midway through the opening set John stepped up to the microphone for something very special, he sang It's Just That Simple. After well over 20 WILCO concerts, this is the first time I have heard this song.
Other highlights of the night was Jeff's obvious looseness with the crowd. He conversed more with the crowd than I have ever heard before. Even one moment during Jesus Etc., he paused, because he screwed up, fixed the problem and then talked about where his head was at during the screwup. Funny stuff.
Towards the end, right before "Kingpin" he even asked a audience member to give up his neck brace so he could wear it. Sure enough, he shared his stage sweat with the lucky fan.
Via Chicago, California Stars, A Shot in the Arm all made the setlist. If I could have picked a setlist, this would have been a top choice. So fun and then to wrap it up with Red Eyed and Blue followed by I Got You and then wrapping up the night with Outtasite (Outtamind) you have gotta be kidding me. Best closer I have ever heard them play. Left me jonesing for some more of the WILCO.
Intimate. Not a word used to describe Smashing Pumpkins most days, but this is the third time in a little over a year that I have seen them play and this was certainly intimate.
When the Pumpkins resurfaced, it was rumored that their intent was to play big shows like we saw at Red Rocks, but to also find time to play smaller venues. The other night at the Ogden was just that, a smaller venue. As Billy put it, they came to play what they wanted and we were pleased. All I can say is that this was by far the best concert I have heard them play.
There was plenty of fun, experimentation with sound and stripped down play time. Audience interaction was sufficient, although at times they were on cue and everyone was enjoying. For a concert that was announced a week before the performance it was sold out and filled with what seemed to be true fans.
Half the reason I show up at a Smashing Pumpkin concert is to see what Billy shows up wearing. This time he didn't disappoint, a black spider T-shirt, a gorgeous skirt, visible Shazam tights and very sexy old school Nike's. Sometimes I wish I was a rockstar so I could just sport whatever I want on stage. Jealous.
The approach to announcing the concerts that quickly has my vote, the scalping was minimized to outside the concert. That is fine, since if you made the trip downtown and didn't have tickets you were most likely a fan that was desperate for tickets. Very smart approach.
All and all, great set list, great music and great to see them again. Here are a few snaps from that night with my phone. Quality isn't all that good, but the images still hold a few memories for me.
