Wilco “Kicks TV” via Chicago
THE CD: Kicking Television — Live in Chicago”(Nonesuch)
PERFORMER: Wilco
WEBSITE: www.Wilcoweb.com
“Kicking Television” is Wilco’s 33-song, 2-disc embodiment of the perfect live CD. Recorded May 4-7, 2005, at Chicago’s Vic Theatre, this CD proves that these Grammy-winning alt-country rockers (headed by Jeff Tweedy and formed out of the dissolution of Uncle Tupelo) don’t suck live. It also serves as a greatest hits for their previous releases. All of your favorites are here: “Shot in the Arm,” “Jesus, Etc.,” “Ashes of American Flags,” and “Heavy Metal Drummer.” Yesss!
I bought Being There after reading a review of it in some no-name music publication. When my dad and I were both like ‘That CD rocks’ (It was actually the tape) — the power of rock sent my mind reeling. Since then, I’ve been a Wilco fan. That epiphany-inducing moment stands in stark contrast to the dire situation our parents may have found themselves in when their parents found their rock records back in the day: ‘Are you on drugs, Jimmy?’ Yes he was, and he was waiting for a band like Wilco to come and blow his mind.
“Misunderstood” (the acoustic dirge which opens “Being There”) opens the live set with a 6-minute jam in honor of rock and being back in your old neighborhood. When Tweedy sings “But you still love rock ‘n roll. . . you still love rock ‘n roll,” the crowd goes nuts; goosebumps ensue. It’s the next best thing to actually being there. Before “Handshake Drugs” Tweedy puts some jerk yelling KAAANSAS CITYYY!!! in his place — ‘How dignified is it to come from K.C. to Chicago to see Wilco?’
Whoah, whoah, whoah. . . don’t just rush out and buy “Being There” — you first need to check out my favorite CD, Summerteeth. Also; Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and A Ghost is Born — then you’re ready to rock, brutha.
The band’s immersion in synthesizers and an even more Pink Floyd-ish sound may take you by surprise if you don’t heed my warning. If someone tells you they’re an acoustic band — go upside their head once for me; some of their synth-based sounds can make you sick. Sonic discordance rearing its head, inside of well-written acoustic-based songs, is definitely on tap with Wilco.
It behooves me to mention that “Via Chicago” got rave reviews from the Windy City crowd. “Radio Cure” seems too fast, losing its mellow effect, in a way. I don’t have the space to go into Tweedy’s vocals and lyrics, or the direction the band will now take without multi-instrumentalist Jay Bennett. Whether it’s solo or with Wilco, Tweedy’s songs will find an audience anywhere. Wilco closes with “Comment” (originally sung by Charles Wright and Yusef Rahman), a gospel-tinged ballad. Here’s my money. . . SAVE ME, WILCO!
I know what you’re asking, ‘If they’re so great, then why don’t they play Charleston, maaa-nn!?‘ They did a few years back; I and fellow LocalMusic blogsman MarkT were in attendance. Wilco made a short, sweet appearance on Mountain Stage — I know, because I was there, man! After that, I had to hear their version of Woody Guthrie’s “California Stars“. Let’s bring these guys back ASAP — and get me some free tix, gazzeditor man! (Depends on if you clean up your room. Ed)
Available at all local record stores.
January 10th, 2006 at 7:50 pm
Funny story about Summerteeth:
Around the end of 1999, I was rocking the CD out in the mountains at the back end of Campbell’s Creek in my truck.
Well, the truck got hung up. I was alone, so I had to walk down off the mountain to the paved roads. Lucky for me, Gabriel Schoolcraft came riding up on a 4-wheeler and gave me a ride to civilization — after I had walked a country mile.
Then, when I went back up on the hill with Timco, I couldn’t even locate my truck! Long story short — Wilco rocks
January 19th, 2006 at 7:19 pm
I can’t believe Timco and Wilco appeared that close. What’s next. . . Gazzco?!
I know - Chi-co.
Maybe limbo?
Rush Limbaugh, that’s it!