Tweedy - at the Neptune Theater - Seattle WA

I am the biggest Jeff Tweedy/ Wilco fan... But aren’t we all? He is the most accessible musician with catchy, radio friendly songs that seems to avoid mainstream radio. If for some reason you have missed out (since the late 80’s) on Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, and now Tweedy I would begin to go down that magical rabbit hole right about now.

Jeff Tweedy of Wilco played to a sold out Neptune Theater with his side project “Tweedy” consisting of Jeff and his son Spencer, along with some of their amazingly talented friends. When you go see an artists’ side project you generally can expect experimental songs that nobody knows and are just hoping that they will play a hit or two. But with Jeff Tweedy…. The man is going to kill it with some new jams, bring it home with some classic Wilco and a few “dad” jokes that may or may not embarrass his son Spencer Tweety sprinkled throughout.

Your favorite live recordings of 2011

Words // Scott Pingeton

One of my motivations in starting VV almost two years ago was to share live recordings from some of my favorite bands.  Growing up I would collect as many bootlegs as I could - from Dylan to Springsteen to The Replacements to Ryan Adams - and there's something magical about capturing the intensity and intimacy of a live performance.  Especially if it's a souvenir of a show you saw live.  Here are the five most popular live recordings we shared in 2011...

#5 Middle Brother: Paradise Boston MA 3.3.11

Middle Brother - Million Dollar Bill

"As a perfectly-sloppy version of "Twist and Shout" capped-off over three hours of music, I couldn't help but think how lucky I was to be able to see this band live."

Download the full set

#4 The Wooden Sky: Lizard Lounge Cambridge MA 11.11.11

The Wooden Sky - Oslo

"The reason I started Visible Voice was to share the music that I believe in, and there is no better example than They Wooden Sky.  A sold out Lizard Lounge is a start, but they are are destined for much bigger things"

Download the full set 

#3 The Head And The Heart: Royale Boston MA 9.30.11

The Head And The Heart - Lost In My Mind 

"At times I was taken aback by the response, and the band seemed genuinely surprised as well.  In any case, I've never seen a crowd at Royale so enthusiastic"

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#2 Lady Lamb The Beekeeper: Brighton Music Hall Boston MA 4.14.11

Lady Lamb The Beekeeper - Aubergine

"As Aly Spaltro bared her soul to a room full of strangers, we exchanged knowing glances and eyebrow raises - we were witnessing something pretty special.  A jawdropping set from a rising star."

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#1 Jeff Tweedy: State Theater Portland ME 3.26.11

Jeff Tweedy - Via Chicago

"The acoustic setting puts Tweedy's songwriting in the spotlight - stripping densely-produced songs to their bare essentials."

Download the full set

Jeff Tweedy - Live at the State Theater, Portland ME 3.26.11

Jeff Tweedy played a sold out show at Portland's reopened State Theater on Saturday.  I don't have time to write a lengthy review but, needless to say, Jeff Tweedy never disappoints...especially when playing solo.  For a man plagued by crippling stage fright at one point in his career, Tweedy has a comfortable rapport with fans.  His witty, often-hilarious banter provides lighter moments between the songs, the highlight being when he called out a tempo-challenged fan mid-song, joking "somebody brought a seal".

As for the music, the acoustic setting puts Tweedy's songwriting in the spotlight - stripping densely-produced songs to their bare essentials.  Whether you're partial to the country-rock of A.M. or Being There, the lush pop of Summerteeth or the art/noise-influenced Yankee Hotel Foxtrot or A Ghost Is Born - played solo-acoustic they're all folk songs.  The setlist was a fan's dreaming - pulling in songs from all period's of Tweedy's career - from Uncle Tupelo, every Wilco album (except Sky Blue Sky I'm an idiot, thanks commenter), Loose Fur and more.  One of many highlights was not a deep catalogue track - though "Magazine Called Sunset" and "Passenger Side" were glorious - but rather a brand new track, possibly a preview of the upcoming, still-unannounced Wilco record.  A tongue-twister of a song that musically seems to fit in line with its immediate predecessors Wilco (The Album) and Sky Blue Sky.

As Wilco has grown into the ubiquitous, self-sufficient force that it is, and more and more voices opine on the merits and faults of the band, what is almost beyond-debate is that Jeff Tweedy is one of the most important songwriters our generation.  Over the past 15 years there are few people that have pushed as many boundaries and written so many heartachingly beautiful songs. 

The entire set is available below for stream or download.  Sound is excellent with the exception of the last two songs, which Tweedy played unamplified from the edge of the stage. 

Jeff Tweedy
State Theater - Portland, ME
March 26, 2011

Via Chicago
Remember The Mountain Bed
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
[Blue Light Banter]
One Wing
Muzzle Of Bees
Forget The Flowers
Solitaire
You're Not Alone
Black Eye
I'll Fight
Magazine Called Sunset
[Where's Steve? Banter]
The Ruling Class
New Song
Not For The Season
[Haste Ye Back Banter]
Hummingbird
[Somebody Brought A Seal Banter]
Jesus Etc
The Late Greats
A Shot In The Arm
Passenger Side
I'm The Man Who Loves You
Walken (acoustic)
Acuff-Rose (acoustic)

Full set download:  mp3 zip

Preview: Mavis Staples "You Are Not Alone"

Jeff Tweedy joins Mavis Staples on stage at the Solid Sound Festival in North Adams MA

Mavis Staples' upcoming Jeff Tweedy-produced album You Are Not Alone is high on our list of most anticipated albums of the year.  It's been nearly a year since I learned about the collaboration, but my already-high expectations were raised exponentially after hearing the standout title track.  The song has Tweedy's unmistakable lyrical stamp yet falls comfortably in Staples' gospel wheelhouse - a song of reassurance in the face of uncertainty. 

I had the great opportunity to hear a few of these songs at Wilco's Solid Sound Festival a few weeks ago, where Tweedy joined Mavis on stage for a remarkable cross-generational collaboration between music icons.  Now, after hearing the full album, I can finally say that my high expectations have been fulfilled - the songs are fantastic and Mavis Staples and band sound energized.  A legend of gospel/soul making relevant music alongside one of the most creative and important songwriters of the last 15 years - it may sound like an unlikely pairing, but the results are undeniably great. 

Listen to the album in its entirety below, before the September 14 release date:

Weekend plans: Wilco's Solid Sound

As you read this, I am most likely making the trek out to the far reaches of Western Massachusetts for Wilco's innaugural Solid Sound Festival.

Over the last 10 years Wilco has remained one of my favorite bands - one of a very exclusive group that never leaves my music rotation.  They've stayed there by releasing consistently good-to-great albums, and playing increasingly epic live shows.  When Jeff Tweedy announced the Solid Sound Festival from the stage at the Orpheum last April, I knew I had to be there.  The chance to not only see my favorite band play a show, but curate an entire music festival in the beautiful Berkshires -- enough said.

With the great Mavis Staples, Vetiver, Brenda and more all sharing the bill with Wilco, it's sure to be a fantastic weekend of music.  Not to mention comedy, interactive exhibits and contemporary art. 

Expect a full report when I return, but in the meantime here's the fantastic new Tweedy-produced Mavis Staples song "You Are Not Alone":