Just got done watching a documentary on Wilco called 'Ashes'. Good music documentary for the most part, but one thing always gets me with them, no matter their level of popularity or lack thereof, there seems to be an assumption that their music will stand the test of time. I just don't feel that way, but who knows. Maybe in 10 years, my kids will be scrambling for my Wilco CDs like we did for the Beatles or Stones.
I've never been lucky enough to see Wilco in concert. It's just never happened. They always play small clubs and I've never been willing to do what it takes to see there shows. Thinking about that and watching the video made me think about what 5 songs I'd like to see performed most in a concert. Few ground rules, the main members of the band have to be alive (no Johnny Cash) and are still performing rock and roll (no Cat Stevens).
For me, there are a few bands/artists that have to be included in any conversation; White Stripes, Tori Amos, Nine Inch Nails and Tool. The 5th band, and what songs they would perform are the real test here. And it works better if I just use train of thought vs. 1 through 5 since I know which song/band is number 5.
Until you've heard it live and listened to the CD hundreds of times, you just don't get it, but Hurt by Nine Inch Nails is a great closer. It never fails. Hearing Tori perform 'Man and a Gun' for a closer would be pretty amazing, but that's like hoping we'll colonize Mars someday. I just couldn't comprehend that notion. 'Hurt' is number 5.
The second song is reserved for the 5th band. And it's really close. I could go a hundred different ways here, but I'm really leaning towards Wilco or Soul Coughing. Which is interesting because they really reflect two parts of my life; Soul Coughing started in college, right after they broke up. I just couldn't get enough of them. I remember my first day of college, driving to class, and 'Janine' by Soul Coughing played on the radio. Now if you don't know, that's like see a shooting star getting chased by an UFO. I don't believe in signs, but hearing that song gave me a real feeling of reassurance, if that even makes sense. I found Wilco sometime during college. I can't even pinpoint the time, but I remember buying Yankee Hotel Foxtrot based on a review I read online. I was hooked; mellow tone, strong lyrics and enough rock and roll to call it rock and roll. They both mean so much to me, it's hard to leave one out, but I'm going with Wilco performing all 6 minutes of 'I Am Trying to Break Your Heart' at number 2.
I like my openers to kick me in the teeth and get things rolling. I know this band would never perform this song as an opener, but it's my fantasy damit. For the opener, Tool would kick it with learn to swim or what is better known as 'Aenema'. Yes, I realize that there is no way to follow that song, but if anyone could do it, it's Jeff Tweedy.
Tori would flow onto the stage fourth and pull something deep out of her bag of tricks. Quick side note, but she has made enough music where she could literally do a 10 hour concert. She's become the female Bruce Springsteen. This one is easy since I really like the Boys for Pele album; 'Blood Roses'. I listened to that CD over and over again. I just could never get over her use of the harpsichord. If you don't own, you are really missing out. Just a complex CD that could make you hate men and women all at the same time.
So that leaves Jack and Meg. I was worried that we'd never see these two together again, but Wikipedia says otherwise. My love affair with The White Stripes has been ongoing for some time. I've lost a little respect to for Jack since the James Bond song, but when you have talent oozing through your pores like he does; it's hard not to put out some marketable garbage like that. David Bowie, The Rolling Stones and just about any other band would do the same. Well, maybe not Neil Young but otherwise everyone else. The song choice is tough here, but 'Jolene' still gives me goose bumps to this day.
Pretty good show?
