MMJ to Tour with Dylan this summer

[radiatortunes]

Been really obsessing about this show... maybe more than it deserves. But have some rambling thoughts that might be coherent by the end of this post.

The title of the tour "Americanarama" has a lot of meaning in it. Obviously, Dylan, Wilco, and MMJ represent some of the best in the "americana" genre of music. I would also add Lucinda Williams, Neil Young, and Willie Nelson for a dream show, but the current headliners are definitely top shelf. And of course "rama" at the end probably refers to the rotating headliners.

But there is a deeper connection between these three headliners. In two words... Woody Guthrie. Dylan worshiped Woody Guthrie in his early career and even spent time with him in the hospital when he was on his death bed. He wrote several songs about him and frequently referred to him as his biggest influence.



Wilco famously worked with Billy Bragg on the Mermaid Avenue album. Nora Guthrie had found lyrics that her grandfather Woody had written but never recorded. Wilco and Billy Bragg put those lyrics to music on the album, but with a more modern sound.

Yim Yames did something similar with Jay Farrar (Tweedy's former band mate in Uncle Tupelo), Will Johnson, and Anders Parker that resulted in the New Multitudes album. Nora Guthrie gave them lyrics from Woody's earlier years and created the tribute album.

So obviously, Woody is a big influence on all of these bands, and Woody Guthrie is the epitome of Americana music. As a result, I'm beginning to expect a completely different kind of show from MMJ and Wilco than we have seen before. I'm sure they will still rock out, but I am starting to expect more from the folkier side of these bands. This makes me very happy. I love getting my face melted with Jim James' flying V, but there are a lot of songs I've never seen performed live. Same with Wilco. I love how they deconstruct their songs on stage... but I also dig their earlier acoustic stuff.

Dylan's new album "Tempest" is really rootsy. This could set the tone for the tour. I guess what I'm saying is.... I don't think this will be just another festival set from Wilco or MMJ. I expect them to really mix it up this tour.

Or not. Either way, I'm happy to see my favorite bands whenever possible. 

Here's a couple of tracks to mull over.

Wilco - Jolly Banker http://grooveshark.com/s/Jolly+Banker/2VMfc5?src=5
Yim Yames - Empty Bed Blues http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2012/02/24/147374649/from-jim-james-a-new-take-on-woody-guthries-empty-bed-blues
Bob Dylan - Grand Coulee Dam http://grooveshark.com/s/Grand+Coulee+Dam/4hZmpW?src=5

Cheers!

Great post! Jeff Tweedy did "Listening to the Wind That Blows" on night two of his solo (benefit) Vic shows this past March. I'd love to hear the current incarnation of Wilco's arrangement of that sweet song.

[EverythingChanges]

If I got "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" from Dylan or as a cover from one of the other two, I would be super stoked!  That's probably my favorite Dylan song.

[Penny Lane]

Kind of off track, but originally Jay Farrar was approached to do Mermaid Ave with Billy Bragg and didn't want to do it (or collaborate in doing it) and so JT was asked, and Mermaid Ave I and II ended up being amazing. Thank god he said no, because then we wouldn't have had New Multitudes, which ended up being amazing, also. Just weird how things work out for the best sometimes.

I'm hoping Wilco and MMJ stick to earlier stuff on this tour or else the Americana label will be misplaced, that and the music's just better. Great post, bhyman. I need to hear that new Dylan album.

[radiatortunes]

Here's my dream Wilco set for this tour: 

Misunderstood
Dawned On Me
I'm The Man Who Loves You
Heavy Metal Drummer
Theologians
Hell is Chrome
Impossible Germany
Jesus, Etc.
At Least That's What You Said
Sunken Treasure
Spiders (Jim Collaboration)
Art of Almost

One Sunday Morning
What Light (Dylan Collaboration)
Via Chicago

What do ya'll think? I know it won't happen, but a guy can dream...

Nice setlist, but no "AM" love? How about "Box Full of Letters"? "Hell is Chrome" is so good live!

I would love it if Jeff played more lead. Maybe Nels could sit this song out and Pat could be Leroy per this video. (Not going to happen but like you said, a guy/gal can dream...)

Wilco - Handshake drugs

[APR]

I wouldn't expect a folky set list change considering at the Newport Folk Festival last summer MMJ played Victory Dance and Dondante.  I thought they would play acoustic songs like BH throughout the set, but with MMJ you can't predict...... part of the greatness of any show they do.

[EverythingChanges]

I wouldn't expect a folky set list change considering at the Newport Folk Festival last summer MMJ played Victory Dance and Dondante.  I thought they would play acoustic songs like BH throughout the set, but with MMJ you can't predict...... part of the greatness of any show they do.

I'm cool with whatever, as long as it isn't 100% big hits.  I'm sure they'll do a couple rarities here and there for their fans.

[Colfax]

good news. Bob Weir is ok after collapsing on stage with Furthur last week. He'll remain at the regularly scheduled shows on this tour including Atlanta!

[EverythingChanges]

Here's my dream Wilco set for this tour: 

Misunderstood
Dawned On Me
I'm The Man Who Loves You
Heavy Metal Drummer
Theologians
Hell is Chrome
Impossible Germany
Jesus, Etc.
At Least That's What You Said
Sunken Treasure
Spiders (Jim Collaboration)
Art of Almost

One Sunday Morning
What Light (Dylan Collaboration)
Via Chicago

What do ya'll think? I know it won't happen, but a guy can dream...

Nice setlist, but no "AM" love? How about "Box Full of Letters"? "Hell is Chrome" is so good live!

I would love it if Jeff played more lead. Maybe Nels could sit this song out and Pat could be Leroy per this video. (Not going to happen but like you said, a guy/gal can dream...)

Wilco - Handshake drugs

I actually don't own AM yet, so I am not as knowledgeable on those songs.

I think something from AM would go well with the americana theme though.

[markcel]

Here's my dream Wilco set for this tour: 

Misunderstood
Dawned On Me
I'm The Man Who Loves You
Heavy Metal Drummer
Theologians
Hell is Chrome
Impossible Germany
Jesus, Etc.
At Least That's What You Said
Sunken Treasure
Spiders (Jim Collaboration)
Art of Almost

One Sunday Morning
What Light (Dylan Collaboration)
Via Chicago

What do ya'll think? I know it won't happen, but a guy can dream...

Nice setlist, but no "AM" love? How about "Box Full of Letters"? "Hell is Chrome" is so good live!

I would love it if Jeff played more lead. Maybe Nels could sit this song out and Pat could be Leroy per this video. (Not going to happen but like you said, a guy/gal can dream...)

Wilco - Handshake drugs

I know it won't happen but any dream Tweedy set for me includes at least "New Madrid" if not also "Watch Me Fall" or "We've Been Had".  Again, know it won't happen (even though they used to play a couple UT songs when it was still in the Jay Bennett incarnation.). 

[bhyman]

I actually don't own AM yet, so I am not as knowledgeable on those songs.

I think something from AM would go well with the americana theme though.

A.M. gets dissed a lot by some Wilco fans, but I really like it. It is a bit more twangy than the rest of their catalog, but understandable as a transition album from Uncle Tupelo to Wilco. Personally, I like twang.

Definitely check it out on Spotify or Grooveshark.  Some of my favorite tracks are Box Full of Letters, Shouldn't Be Ashamed, and Blue Eyed Soul. And don't forget the totally epic It's Just That Simple... sung by bass player John Stirratt. I saw them play that once live and it killed!

[markcel]

I actually don't own AM yet, so I am not as knowledgeable on those songs.

I think something from AM would go well with the americana theme though.

A.M. gets dissed a lot by some Wilco fans, but I really like it. It is a bit more twangy than the rest of their catalog, but understandable as a transition album from Uncle Tupelo to Wilco. Personally, I like twang.

Definitely check it out on Spotify or Grooveshark.  Some of my favorite tracks are Box Full of Letters, Shouldn't Be Ashamed, and Blue Eyed Soul. And don't forget the totally epic It's Just That Simple... sung by bass player John Stirratt. I saw them play that once live and it killed!

Such a great break up song.

[e_wind]

Here's my dream Wilco set for this tour:

Misunderstood
Dawned On Me
I'm The Man Who Loves You
Heavy Metal Drummer
Theologians
Hell is Chrome
Impossible Germany
Jesus, Etc.
At Least That's What You Said
Sunken Treasure
Spiders (Jim Collaboration)
Art of Almost

One Sunday Morning
What Light (Dylan Collaboration)
Via Chicago

What do ya'll think? I know it won't happen, but a guy can dream...

Nice setlist, but no "AM" love? How about "Box Full of Letters"? "Hell is Chrome" is so good live!

I would love it if Jeff played more lead. Maybe Nels could sit this song out and Pat could be Leroy per this video. (Not going to happen but like you said, a guy/gal can dream...)

Wilco - Handshake drugs

I actually don't own AM yet, so I am not as knowledgeable on those songs.

I think something from AM would go well with the americana theme though.

Damn! Box full of letters! Shouldn't be ashamed! I must be high! Get on A.M. Dude

[Shug]

AM also has Casino Queen, a very Stones-y track, the awesome Too Far Apart, the "hit" I Must Be High and the comical crowd pleaser Passenger Side.  Its like Being There with out any of the avant garde weirdness.  Just a ramshackle, straight forward roots rock record, definitely what critics and fans called Americana back then.

[radiatortunes]

Here's my dream Wilco set for this tour: 

Misunderstood
Dawned On Me
I'm The Man Who Loves You
Heavy Metal Drummer
Theologians
Hell is Chrome
Impossible Germany
Jesus, Etc.
At Least That's What You Said
Sunken Treasure
Spiders (Jim Collaboration)
Art of Almost

One Sunday Morning
What Light (Dylan Collaboration)
Via Chicago

What do ya'll think? I know it won't happen, but a guy can dream...

Nice setlist, but no "AM" love? How about "Box Full of Letters"? "Hell is Chrome" is so good live!

I would love it if Jeff played more lead. Maybe Nels could sit this song out and Pat could be Leroy per this video. (Not going to happen but like you said, a guy/gal can dream...)

Wilco - Handshake drugs

I know it won't happen but any dream Tweedy set for me includes at least "New Madrid" if not also "Watch Me Fall" or "We've Been Had".  Again, know it won't happen (even though they used to play a couple UT songs when it was still in the Jay Bennett incarnation.).

Those are all great tunes. According to wilcobase.com they played "New Madrid" as recently as 2012-09-16 (Live on Ninth St, Columbia, MO) so there's hope!

I know this will NEVER happen but I'd love to hear Wilco perform this UT outtake:

Uncle Tupelo - Wherever

[markcel]

I've always been a sucker for "Should've Been In Love" as well.  Since this tour I have fully rediscovered my love for Wilco (It waned right about the release of Wilco the Album).  This tour can't start soon enough.

[EverythingChanges]

Haha, alright I'll get on AM immediately!

Also, does anyone else really want to hear Death is the Easy Way, or something super rare from TTF?

[rjlemons]

Haha, alright I'll get on AM immediately!

Also, does anyone else really want to hear Death is the Easy Way, or something super rare from TTF?

Of course! I would love to hear DITEW. 

[kintante5]

I'd kill a man to hear Evelyn in Saratoga

[justbcuzido]

Haha, alright I'll get on AM immediately!

Also, does anyone else really want to hear Death is the Easy Way, or something super rare from TTF?

uhh, id kill for death is my sleezy pay and anything else rare. One in the same would be amazing!

[Cameron]

I wish those songs hadn't become rare. That's when many of us fell in love with this band.