Kicking Television

[Steve Reynolds]

I happened to be in a mall this weekend (which is not my favorite place to be) and having not been able to get to Tower records earlier, while awaiting my wife’s emergence from whatever store she was in, I sauntered into a record store that I would never go in – Goodys or one of those silly chains – so I know they have no jazz outside of the recent Monk-Coltrane or recent Coltrane Quartet issues that I would be interested in – so I checked Can – they had Future days – I passed – I want a few of the others first – so I checked Wilco and bought the new live @ CD set – Kicking Television.

Listened once – good, bad, wonderous – but for sure – long live Nels Cline - the manic breakdowns into cacophony are something to behold - onece a melody - now a fragment - now etched on record - wow

One thing it did do for me is let me know that pop/rock music isn’t dead when a band like this can play songs like these live and not always lose everything from the last 2 wonderful studio albums – especially the genius that is Yankee Hotel Foxtrot – some of the bluster is a bit much – but sometimes it is almost true ecstasy – not a facsimile thereof.

When they hit the groove of Kidsmoke, it is reality – and the underlying (or overwhelming) message from Tweedy’s songs is always something that I relate to – redemption, life saved – past mourned – how do I mourn that past – it was glorious – it was a fucking nightmare- the grand paradox of my life – maybe his - I escape - you don’t get much closer to reality than Handshake Drugs – with the line about the saxophones – it was a reality – for me.

They could use a better drummer, sometimes it is messy – but it also worlds ahead of any other pop/rock band that I know of – and Tweedy is a pretty brilliant guy who doesn’t show his pretensions – at least I don’t hear them….

And my life is now a story of redemption – no matter how hard it is – and damn it was hard the last day or two – maybe only my fiends can really know – but for a time last night – hearing this really made me feel alive- it is not always easy for me to enjoy the moment – demons are right around the corner – but I continue to keep them unawakened


Man – it was nice to buy this on Saturday night – maybe I get some checks going out to get a few other things for me and my wife



peace and blessings

[Gary Sisco]

The demons are always close-by, StevieRey, for all of us. Perhaps not the same ones but everybody has 'em. Thing to do when they show themselves is to nod in respect and keep on walking.

I've more than a few of my own and a bunch of ghosts as well.

Gentelman: You know your mission. Good luck and good hunting.

[Paul B]

Thing to do when they show themselves is to nod in respect and keep on walking.

Indeed....I've had a few of my own this past year.

But when I start Reynolds on his alto lessons, he'll have yet another way to be a demon chaser....

Get ready to receive yourself my friend.

Bye-ya

[Brian Olewnick]

Originally Posted by Paul B

But when I start Reynolds on his alto lessons

Yikes, that's gotta be in violation of several state and federal laws!

[Tom Storer]

Another great review, Steve. I've never even listened to Wilco, but it's literature. Keep 'em coming!

[Steve Reynolds]

That I have my passion for writing about this or any other music back – even at 10 in the morning – is a blessing, maybe a miracle – that someone reads the stuff I write is quite nice to know.

Tom, I remember when at one point a couple of years ago that you commented on a sprts thread that what you really wanted to know is what I was listening to – and the fact of the matter is that I was really unable to listen to anything – because I was not here in spirit.


I do wish a few more would make an effort – but there was along time when I wasn’t capable of that – so who am I to complain?

I have had a hard time taking this disc out of the car CD player – and it has it’s problems – but Nels Cline isn’t one of them – although I don’t always know which guitar is his, they make the noise work within there still almost countrified or folky songs. Well – not all of them are that – the newer songs resonate with sincerity – and I think they have staying power – nice to hear a band that has been around for a little bit where the newer songs are the best ones.

And when Poor Places morphs into this wall of sound – this should *not* work – and then the massive bassline of Kidsmoke appears - with those guitars and jangly sounds moving in and out of the mix, it reminds me of the days of yore when a new live album by a great rock band meant something


This bands matters – and this music matters


And it matters so much to me – as when things were down, one of the only CD’s that could make me feel OK was Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

Without a doubt, my favorite rock band in the world – makes me want to live sometimes – music is still my heart – and sometimes it is – after my friends – and my sanity - the most precious thing to keep my spirit alive.

[Gary Sisco]

Music is just about the only thing, apart from my loved ones, that soothes this savage beast, StevieRey. It is one of life's salves and salvations, so help yourself! I absolutely need a certain amount of time every day when I can lose myself in it. I'm not a spiritual guy but it is a kind of practice, for me, the deep listening session. Kind of like Buddhist practice -- more philosophy than religion -- but practice nevertheless. I'd not get by my many demons without it.

[Chris D]

You've got to see them, Steve. Tweedy is a great, enigmatic performer. I've enjoyed every version of the band, from "AM" onward.

[Steve Reynolds]

yeah, Chris - and if I do the right thing in my life, I will see them - I saw a show on PBS - on TV - they were fine - but nothing like the band I hear on the new live record - but I really look forward to seeing them in person.

[al j]

whoa Steve, thanks for the heads up, I had no idea this was out.

I gave it a first listen last night on high volume in a big open room, the only light coming from the Christmas tree and every tune was perfect.

It is unreal what Nels Cline has done to Wilco's music. Even "Company In My Back", which you would think is untouchable and would suffer under even the slightest modification, is fuller. "Handshake Drugs" wins for BEST MAKEOVER. Awesome.

[steve(thelil)]

Not since Joe Walsh joined the Eagles has a great virtuoso guitarist added so much to an even greater band, unless you count Steve Morse joining Kansas, and I don't.


I'm kidding. I'm very curious about the new Wilco disc. Anything that is redemptive for Mr. Reynolds is double-coupon redemptive for me.


I think I'm gonna put a mini Steve Reynolds figurine in my manger, if I ever have a manger.


I'm just free associating now. Sorry.

[john williams]

I've got that on order from my local bricks and mortar. I know it should have been in stock but I live out beyond the black stump!

Can't wait to hear the disk(s). I've got a long car trip ahead of me on Thursday and wanted that for the 10 hour drive.

[kyrre_laastad]

It is a beautiful record. Tweedy has so many layers of emotion in his voice.

I kinda agree about Glenn Kotche, though. His ideas are very good, and I love the fact that he incorporates harmonic elements in his playing (the crotales and vibraphone), but there is something about his feel that could be better. He pushes the beat at times. But Nels Cline is the cat's hat on this record. Magnificent.

This is, of course, coming from a drummer's viewpoint, ie. I'm a geek when it comes to these things.

I'm glad that you're listening again, Steve.

[Rob C]

Rock minions!

[Steve Reynolds]

yeah - baby

now I just bought two CAN re-issues - I had heard them before - but methinks I gotta write some shit later today....



it is *great* to be listening again



peace and blessings