WILCO in Baltimore

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.  

M and Jon both are long time converted fans.