Tuesday, 31 Oct 2006
Jeff Tweedy’s performance at the Pabst Theater left nothing to be desired, and that’s a pretty strong statement coming from someone who adores the band he fronts. Though the set list was surprisingly lacking of tunes from Wilco’s two most recent albums, A Ghost Is Born and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Tweedy was able to completely hold the crowd in his hand (sans one asshole) as he provided many blasts from the past as well as a couple of new songs.
What I find most enjoyable about a Jeff Tweedy solo performance is no matter how large the venue, he somehow manages to make you feel like he’s playing your living room. Perhaps it’s the onstage banter between himself and the audience, heckling latecomers and responding to questions of “how’s your foot?” You have to completely admire the fact that he singled out the one guy who constantly feels the need to yell “whoooo” during every single song which earned him one of the many standing ovations of the evening. It could also be his willingness to play whatever he wants to play and if the audience request falls into that then he goes right ahead and plays the song. Being one day before Halloween seemed to play into the song selection and between song conversations with songs like “Laminated Cats” and “Theologians” offering lines of “candy left over from Halloween” and “yeah, I’m a cherry ghost” that may or may not intentionally been placed due to the date of the performance. Jeff did mention that his son was going as Abraham Bling-coln, a bling bling version of the nations 16th President.
While this show and set list was drastically different from his last swing through Madison, it was equally, if not more satisfying. It’s hard to put in perspective which solo Tweedy show I’ve enjoyed most, because much like children, they each are different and unique. For those of you unable to attend last night’s performance I strongly urge you to pick up Jeff’s most recent and first ever live album/DVD, Sunken Treasure: Live in the Pacific Northwest, which was released last week.
Wilco will play two shows in Chicago at the Auditorium Theatre Thanksgiving weekend on the 24th and 25th, both performances are sold out.
Jeff Tweedy – Pabst Theater – Setlist
Someone Else’s Song
Sunken Treasure
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
Lost Love
Lullaby for Rafters and Dreams
The Ruling Class
(Was I) In Your Dreams
Box Full of Letters
Blasting Fonda
Bob Dylan’s Beard
We’ve Been Had
Someday Soon
Be Patient With Me
Radio King
Laminated Cat
Dreamer In My Dreams
Jesus, Etc.
What Light
ELT
Screen Door
Theologians
Walken
I’m the Man Who Loves You
Related:
The Thanks I Get [YouTube video]
Summerfect: A recap through photo
I’ve Got 5 Dollars We Can Put In The Tank – Jeff Tweedy @ Northwestern (5/23/05)
Jeff Tweedy – The Vic Theater (3/4/05)
MP3:
Wilco – Let’s Fight (live)
Wilco – Impossible Germany (live)
Wilco – Is This The Thanks I Get? (live)
Wilco – There’s A Light (live)
Wilco – The Good Part (live)
October 31st, 2006 at 12:04 pm
Thanks, sounds like another great show, Im really enjoying the DVD, already watched twice, hope Jeff comes back to Ohio soon.
October 31st, 2006 at 1:02 pm
how many times must i apologize for wooooing last night?
October 31st, 2006 at 6:54 pm
This show was phenomenal. The only thing I regret is not buying one of the posters. I was lazy and thought I’d get it after the show, but obviously they sold out. Oh well. If anyone happened to buy an extra I’d love to buy it off you!
October 31st, 2006 at 7:48 pm
Your review sums it up perfectly. Can’t wait to find the bootleg. Too bad there will be a “wooo” in every damn track. I was bummed when the audience jumped the gun on “We’ve Been Had”, and Jeff gave out a “Meh..forget it.” Oh well, still one of the best Monday nights in recent memory.
I missed out on the posters, too. I guess I’ll get in line behind bluesphee.
October 31st, 2006 at 7:59 pm
The bootleg will not only feature the crazy “Whooo-Hooo” guy, but also the “Niiiiiice” guy in the same area. May even be the same guy.
October 31st, 2006 at 10:11 pm
Great review. Really appreciate Mr. Muzzle (or is it Mr. Bee?) getting the show down in writing. I was there, next to the woman who showed up late and behind the “how’s your foot” guy. Jeff’s attitude and comments to the woooo guy and late-show woman were on-target. Most important, the music was phenomenal. No review in today’s Milwaukee paper, so this blog once again is leading the way in Milwaukee. Thanks!
November 2nd, 2006 at 9:33 pm
I wrote up a little post at my blog, Mirr World, about the show. I included one video of Sunken Treasure and a few pictures (one of Tweedy and one of Autumn Defense). Certainly nothing spectacular, but fun to check out if you were there! Here’s a direct link to the post: http://mirrworld.blogspot.com/2006/11/jeff-tweedy-pabst-theater.html