The photo and video sections keep growing. The most recent additions are for the Wilco concert that took place on July 18th 2009 in Wappingers Falls, NY. It was an amazing show and expect a review soon. Links are below. Be sure to check out the two-part video for the song Spiders (Kidsmoke).
This weeks Friday Five ( where we feature 5 awesome videos/performances from 5 awesome artists ) will be a collection from this year’s Bonnaroo music festival. If you like what you see, there is more in the videos section.
A.A. Bondy - There’s A Reason
The Low Anthem - Cigarettes, Whiskey, and Wild Wild Women
Sad news today - Jay Bennett, former guitarist and multi-instrumentalist from Wilco, passed away early Sunday morning in Urbana, IL, according to a spokesman for his family. Jay was part of the band Wilco from 1994 to 2001 and his influence on the band’s growth was great. He was with the band since the A.M. tour and left the group in ‘01 when Yankee Hotel Foxtrot was in the process of being released. The exact cause of death is still undetermined and an autopsy is underway. Below is an excerpt from the Chicago Sun Times:
Born in the Chicago suburb of Rolling Meadows, Bennett began playing in bands as a teenager. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and earned multiple degrees in secondary education, math and political science. In between, he co-founded the Replacements-like power-pop band Titanic Love Affair, which released three albums during the alternative-rock heyday between 1991 and 1996, when it was dropped from its label.
Bennett was working at a VCR repair shop in Champaign when he was tapped to join Wilco as it toured in support of its first album, “A.M.” A talented arranger and versatile musician who could play virtually any instrument he picked up, from mandolin to Mellotron, Bennett formed a fruitful partnership with Wilco bandleader Jeff Tweedy. His contributions over a seven-year period were key to the albums that resulted in the band’s national breakthrough, including “Being There” (1996), “Summerteeth” (1999) and “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” (2002).
Wilco’s publicist released the following from Jeff Tweedy: “We are all deeply saddened by this tragedy. We will miss Jay as we remember him — as a truly unique and gifted human being and one who made welcome and significant contributions to the band’s songs and evolution. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends in this very difficult time.”
Jay Bennet, former guitarist/multi-instrumentalist of Wilco is now suing Jeff Tweedy and the band over money that he claims he is owed for royalties. Jay was a part of Wilco for five albums in seven years and in addition to playing in the band, he was the band’s sound engineer. On Monday he asked for $50,000 in damages, claiming he was owed royalties for the five albums and also the 2002 documentary “I am Trying to Break Your Heart”.
Jeff Tweedy responded to this lawsuit earlier today through his publicist to Paste magazine. He stated:
“I know exactly as much as everyone else does. I’ve read the news and I honestly have no idea what these claims are based on. It was such a long time ago. Aside from everything else, I’m being sued for not paying someone for appearing in a movie I didn’t produce. Go figure. I am truly sad it has come to this. I am equally convinced, however, that I have done nothing wrong and that this will be handled fairly and swiftly.”
If you haven’t seen the documentary “I am Trying to Break Your Heart” I highly suggest you check it out. Whether you’re a Wilco fan or not….it’s a quality film. The movie follows the band during the time that they record and try to release their album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Getting to see a behind the scenes look at the tensions that arise while recording an album and negotiating with a record label is quite revealing. Not only that, but the documentary was being filmed at the same time that Jay Bennett left the band. You can actually watch the split develop. Check out the trailer below.
If that’s not enough Wilco news for ya…..then here’s some more.
The band just released a FREE download of a track they recorded (but it’s not on the upcoming album Wilco (the Album)). The song is a cover of Woody Guthrie called The Jolly Banker. This recording features Feist, the female artist who will also appear on a track from the new album. Download the song here.
Coming out June 30th, Wilco’s newest album will be titled Wilco (the Album). This album will be featuring the song called “Wilco the Song” which the band premiered on The Colbert Report a few months back. The band retreated to the loft in Chicago to record this one, which hopes to be as solid as their last few efforts. It’s hard not to love the far out soundscapes created on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot or the beautiful melodies and intense guitar playing of Sky Blue Sky but the two efforts sound so different. For any Wilco fan, it will be interesting to see how Wilco (the Album) ends up sounding.
Personally, i’m looking forward to the song Bull Black Nova which Rolling Stone describes as a “nearly-six-minute jam that starts with rollicking drums, stacatto keys and guitars before exploding into a killer solo from guitarist Nels Cline”.
It was just announced that Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band will play a handful of shows as the opening act for Wilco. Both groups are currently on tour and have dates through the summer…but now it seems that Conor and his new group will join Wilco for a week in July.
Wilco with opening act Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band 07-08 Vienna, VA - Wolf Trap 07-10 Wilmington, DE - Frawley Stadium 07-11 Lowell, MA - LeLacheur Park 07-17 Portland, ME - Maine State Pier 07-18 Wappingers Falls, NY - Dutchess County Stadium 07-19 Lewiston, NY - Art Park
Be sure not to miss “One of my Kind” - the hourlong documentary about the formation and initial recording sessions of the Mystic Valley Band. It’s currently available for free at Conor Oberst’s website.
Download Now: Nikorette (mp3 format) - new song from “Outer South” the Mystic Valley Band’s 2nd album due out May 5th.
The title is still unknown……but at least we have news about a tracklist, tour, and guest appearances for Wilco’s new album. The new record set for release sometime in late June and the band will be hitting the road for a number of dates throughout Europe and North America, including some festival dates at Bonnaroo and 10,000 Lakes. The album’s recording got started when the band was in New Zealand and finished up back at their loft in Chicago, and is sure to be a strong effort. Feist appears on the album in a guest role, supplying vocals on the song “You and I”. Wilco’s first full length concert DVD “Ashes of American Flags” was just released on record store day and has had strong numbers. Be sure to pick up the new DVD, CD, and also see the band Live.
Here’s a song from the new album called “One Wing”:
Tracklist: Wilco The Song
Deeper Down
One Wing
Bull Black Nova
You And I
You Never Know
Country Disappeared
Solitaire
I’ll Fight
Sunny Feeling
Everlasting
