Jeff Tweedy at the Union Chapel
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| Photo of Jeff and Bill Fay by Marianne (catgirl) via Songkick |
Jeff Tweedy
Union Chapel, 30 June 2010
About five years ago I saw Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy play solo at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire and despite it being a magical show, stuck somewhere in the middle, I could hardly see a thing. This time, at the far more intimate Union Chapel, a much more suitable venue for an acoustic show, I wanted to make sure I had a good view and, after turning up early, it paid off and I scored a prime position in the front pew. But before I could enjoy this perfect seat, there was a rather bizarre opening act to endure.
Last month, after the Flight Of The Conchords show, I was saying that it was the first time I had ever seen a stand up comedian open for a band. But for a comedy band it was appropriate and, especially since he was part of their TV show, felt an extension of the main act. This time however, in the bizarre setting of a church, we got Geordie light entertainment act Patrick Monahan, a man who didn’t even seem to have a clue who it was he was supporting. It was cringe-worthy stuff indeed, I couldn’t even tell you what jokes he did, but much of his act involved audience participation, getting buddy with some, making fun of others. I cowered in my seat praying he wouldn’t make eye contact with me, the only time that night regretting my front row spot. Thankfully he spent much of the 30-minutes he was on stage trying to get some game 19-year-old to crowd surf over the seated audience, which somehow he managed to do. That was fairly amusing but the rest was lame stuff. He even left the stage telling us to “enjoy Jack Tweedy”.
Before Jeff finally emerged and put all bad memories of Mr Monahan to rest, in the intermission Jeff’s wife Susan and his two kids (who look startlingly like him) made their way through the crowd writing down people’s names and requests. Of course my request (Hotel Arizona, probably not a good one to pick since it’s more of a band song) didn’t get played but bizarrely, the song I had wanted to mention as a back-up but didn’t get a chance to say to Mrs Tweedy, was the Bill Fay song Be Not So Fearful, which I saw Wilco perform a few years ago, did get an airing with a guest spot from Mr Fay himself. After a beautifully sweet Someone Else’s Song and Remember The Mountain Bed, Jeff introduced his special guest who, on account of his nerves, wanted to get his guest spot out of the way so he could enjoy the rest of the show. Jeff humbly, as he had years earlier, introduced the British songwriting legend as one of his biggest influences and together they performed a gorgeous, warm version of his classic, with Jeff pulling back from the microphone to let the shy Mr Fay take the spotlight.
After that it was the Jeff show through and through and what a show it was. Despite having been at the front for many a Wilco show in the past, because of the intimacy of the venue, this was the closest I’ve ever been to Tweedy and it was fascinating to see what a great guitarist he really is. This was certainly true on a very different sounding Spiders (Kidsmoke), which was transformed into an entirely gentler song without the maths rock backing of the band.
Jeff then took the list that his wife had compiled and picked random songs to play. Some guy near me named David had requested “any Bob Dylan cover” to which Jeff took mock offence at: “I’ve only written hundreds of songs too you know” he said jokingly before treating us to a sublime version of his cover of Simple Twist Of Fate. He also teased a girl for choosing the unhappy sounding Via Chicago as her choice and complained that one person had used the wrong name for their request of the Loose Fur song Laminated Cat (“it was called Not For The Season on the film” he protested from the crowd). There was also the rare treat of Bob Dylan’s 49th Beard from the More Like The Moon EP and soulful cover of The Handsome Family’s classic sounding So Much Wine, which Jeff called his “favourite country song”.
There wasn’t much from the new record but One Wing sounded great (“requested by Jeff!” he joked) and there were more obvious but audience-friendly choices such as I’m Always In Love, California Stars and Jesus, Etc, which as usual prompted a sing-along (although Jeff had to stop when someone tried to unsuccessfully start a clap-along, the bad rhythm putting him off and causing him to laugh – he was definitely in good spirits all night). As I said earlier, one of the biggest revelations was Jeff’s guitar-playing and he more than rose to the challenge playing Impossible Germany without Nels Cline’s guitar solos helping out and the intricate Muzzle Of Bees. Before the encore, the show ended on a request, the Uncle Tupelo classic New Madrid (“What’s the problem? You don’t like the new stuff?” he once again teased).
With a standing ovation and a roar of approval from the crowd, of course it wasn’t long before he re-emerged with the perfect dedication for his wife Susan, the song I’m The Man Who Loves You. There was an equally passionate A Shot In The Arm (not enough Being There material though, I must say) but the best moment of the night was when Jeff walked away from the microphone and, like The Forum show of last year, stood on the edge of the stage close to the audience, and sang an entirely acoustic, unamplified version of Uncle Tupelo’s ode to the legendary country music publishing house, Acuff Rose. It was surprising just how strong and loud Jeff’s voice was and with the beautiful acoustics of the church I almost wished he had done more songs like that during the show. But still, it was the perfect ending for a truly fantastic gig. I’m going to see Jeff again back with Wilco in a couple of months at the Royal Festival Hall, another venue with great sound and atmosphere, if not quite so intimate, and if it’s anywhere near as good as this show, it will be pretty amazing.
Before Jeff finally emerged and put all bad memories of Mr Monahan to rest, in the intermission Jeff’s wife Susan and his two kids (who look startlingly like him) made their way through the crowd writing down people’s names and requests. Of course my request (Hotel Arizona, probably not a good one to pick since it’s more of a band song) didn’t get played but bizarrely, the song I had wanted to mention as a back-up but didn’t get a chance to say to Mrs Tweedy, was the Bill Fay song Be Not So Fearful, which I saw Wilco perform a few years ago, did get an airing with a guest spot from Mr Fay himself. After a beautifully sweet Someone Else’s Song and Remember The Mountain Bed, Jeff introduced his special guest who, on account of his nerves, wanted to get his guest spot out of the way so he could enjoy the rest of the show. Jeff humbly, as he had years earlier, introduced the British songwriting legend as one of his biggest influences and together they performed a gorgeous, warm version of his classic, with Jeff pulling back from the microphone to let the shy Mr Fay take the spotlight.
After that it was the Jeff show through and through and what a show it was. Despite having been at the front for many a Wilco show in the past, because of the intimacy of the venue, this was the closest I’ve ever been to Tweedy and it was fascinating to see what a great guitarist he really is. This was certainly true on a very different sounding Spiders (Kidsmoke), which was transformed into an entirely gentler song without the maths rock backing of the band.
Jeff then took the list that his wife had compiled and picked random songs to play. Some guy near me named David had requested “any Bob Dylan cover” to which Jeff took mock offence at: “I’ve only written hundreds of songs too you know” he said jokingly before treating us to a sublime version of his cover of Simple Twist Of Fate. He also teased a girl for choosing the unhappy sounding Via Chicago as her choice and complained that one person had used the wrong name for their request of the Loose Fur song Laminated Cat (“it was called Not For The Season on the film” he protested from the crowd). There was also the rare treat of Bob Dylan’s 49th Beard from the More Like The Moon EP and soulful cover of The Handsome Family’s classic sounding So Much Wine, which Jeff called his “favourite country song”.
There wasn’t much from the new record but One Wing sounded great (“requested by Jeff!” he joked) and there were more obvious but audience-friendly choices such as I’m Always In Love, California Stars and Jesus, Etc, which as usual prompted a sing-along (although Jeff had to stop when someone tried to unsuccessfully start a clap-along, the bad rhythm putting him off and causing him to laugh – he was definitely in good spirits all night). As I said earlier, one of the biggest revelations was Jeff’s guitar-playing and he more than rose to the challenge playing Impossible Germany without Nels Cline’s guitar solos helping out and the intricate Muzzle Of Bees. Before the encore, the show ended on a request, the Uncle Tupelo classic New Madrid (“What’s the problem? You don’t like the new stuff?” he once again teased).
With a standing ovation and a roar of approval from the crowd, of course it wasn’t long before he re-emerged with the perfect dedication for his wife Susan, the song I’m The Man Who Loves You. There was an equally passionate A Shot In The Arm (not enough Being There material though, I must say) but the best moment of the night was when Jeff walked away from the microphone and, like The Forum show of last year, stood on the edge of the stage close to the audience, and sang an entirely acoustic, unamplified version of Uncle Tupelo’s ode to the legendary country music publishing house, Acuff Rose. It was surprising just how strong and loud Jeff’s voice was and with the beautiful acoustics of the church I almost wished he had done more songs like that during the show. But still, it was the perfect ending for a truly fantastic gig. I’m going to see Jeff again back with Wilco in a couple of months at the Royal Festival Hall, another venue with great sound and atmosphere, if not quite so intimate, and if it’s anywhere near as good as this show, it will be pretty amazing.
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