#2 Wilco

I probably don't need to say much here. If we've met for even ten seconds, I probably talked about this band. I mean, I named my dog after former Wilco lead guitarist, Jay Bennett. If I ever have a kid, he or she will likely be Jeff or John or Coomer or Pot Kettle Black. 70-80 shows. Every record purchased on every format imaginable. Three Solid Sound Festivals. Couple pics with JT, one taken by John Stirratt. Jeff Tweedy's songwriting, along with the band's evolving sound, seemed to perfectly complement what I was experiencing in my 20s, through to my 30s, and even today, in my 70s.

AM were the leftovers. Being There was them breaking beyond alt.country. Summerteeth was their breezy, pop gem. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot remains their masterpiece. A Ghost is Born was an extension of YHF. Sky Blue Sky was back to Americana. And The Whole Love was their last great record.

As I sit here listening to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, for what must be the first time in a few years, I'm tossed right back to the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It was less than two weeks after 9/11:

I assassin down the avenue

I'm hiding out in the big city blinking

and then:

Tall building shake

Voices escape, singing sad, sad songs

Turned to chords, strung down your cheeks

Bitter melodies turned your orbit around

Voices cry

Skyscrapers are scraping together

Your voice is smoking

And last cigarettes are all you can get

Turining your orbit around  

These songs were written at least a year before 9/11. The band just always seemed to be moving alongside the mood of the times. 

I've watched probably 2 billion hours of Wilco video. This remains my favorite:

Version 2 of the band:

Jeff and Jay:

Chilling with Obama:

Favorite record: Being There (1996)

Where are they now: See you in North Adams next June.