Are you heading up to 10,000 Lakes Festival this year? . . . I am! And one of shows to which I’m most looking forward is the set by Wilco on Thursday night (July 23). This will be your only chance to see Wilco in the Midwest and it will be the last show on the US leg of their Summer tour before flying “over the pond” to perform at a number of European festivals in August.



Jeff Tweedy formed this Chicago-based band about 12 years ago. But the current line-up came together in 2004, when Tweedy, bassist John Stirratt, percussionist Glenn Kotche and keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen were joined by experimental guitarist Nels Cline and Pat Sansone on guitars and keys.

I feel fortunate to have seen this group perform three times in the past three years. Every show was 1) sold out and 2) outstanding! I expect this show will make it “four in four.”



Fred knows how much I enjoy observing guitar technique, so at my first show he wisely advised me to position myself in close proximity to Nels Cline. It was one of those amazing nights at the Barrymore Theatre (11.22.2006), and I've been a huge fan ever since!



Here’s some interesting technical detail on Nels’ setup - nelscline.com/tech.html. Check it out!


Wilco has a new album scheduled to be released by Nonesuch on June 30, 2009 – Wilco (the Album). You can pre-order now:
The Track list includes:
Wilco (the song)
Deeper Down
One Wing
Bull Black Nova
You And I
You Never Know
Country Disappeared
Solitaire
I'll Fight
Sonny Feeling
Everlasting Everything

Early reviews have been outstanding. I can’t wait to get this one!

Cheers,
Mister Bill

Links of interest:
MMR Live Show Review: Wilco at Overture Center, September 2007
MMR Photos: Wilco at Memorial Union, Nov 1 2008
NY Times, July 5, 2009: Torture-Free but Still a Rock Star
MMR Recording Review: Wilco (the album)