Listen: Owen (Mike Kinsella) Covers Wilco

The latest release from Chicago’s Mike Kinsella (American Football, Cap’n Jazz) as the acoustic guitar-driven outfit Owen is a limited-edition 7” single recorded by his cousin (and Joan of Arc bandmate) Nate Kinsella called “Abandoned Bridges.” On the flip side is a stripped-down version of Wilco’s Summerteeth rocker “I’m Always In Love” — one of my personal live faves from Owen’s fellow Chicagoans.

The song’s unforgettable melodic interludes, which are echoed in an otherworldly register on a keyboard in Wilco’s version, are a perfect match for Kinsella’s love for almost-overly repeated catchy riffs, as he brings the line back to earth with an elegant folk twist that creates a pause between the verses, adding greater pensive weight to Jeff Tweedy’s lyrics. One lyric gets a particularly long pregnant pause after Kinsella switches “I forget my mother” to “I forgive my father.” Pre-order the “Abandoned Bridges” vinyl (or buy the digital version) here, listen to the A-side over on MySpace, and hear Owen’s take on “I’m Always In Love” below:

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August 31, 2010 10:25am    Wilco   Mike Kinsella   Owen   American Football  

Watch Jeff Tweedy and Avi Buffalo Cover Neil Young

Do we need any more reasons to love Jeff Tweedy? (Sure we do, why not?) At the Solid Sound Festival last weekend, L.B.C.-based indie rockers Avi Buffalo were joined by the Wilco frontman for a duet of Neil Young’s 1978 Comes A Time cut “Look Out for My Love.” The visible/audible love from Tweedy (and the audience) for Avi Zahner-Isenberg’s unique take on the legendary singer-songwriter’s vocals is priceless. This performance marks a notable breakthrough for this up-and-coming band, I’d say, not to mention an epic live moment in general. Anyways, try not to smile while watching the clip above. [Permalink]

August 18, 2010 11:44pm    Jeff Tweedy   Avi Buffalo   Neil Young   Wilco  

Watch: Mavis Staples & Jeff Tweedy at Lollapalooza

For her afternoon set at Lollapalooza yesterday, Chicago’s own Mavis Staples was joined onstage by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, the producer of her new record, You Are Not Alone, and writer of two new songs on the album. We’ve already heard the Tweedy-penned title track, and now — thanks to YouTube’s okeastron2008 — a live preview of Staples singing the Wilco frontman’s “Only The Lord Knows” is available, as well.

Though Tweedy waited in the wings during that tune, Staples’ fellow Windy City area based singer sat in with the band for “You Are Not Alone” and a cover of John Fogerty’s Creedence Clearwater Revival song “Wrote A Song for Everyone,” offering a few backup vocals while strumming along on his 1950s Gibson acoustic. Check out 3 videos from the show below (photo by Spencer Tweedy):

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August 7, 2010 6:40pm    Jeff Tweedy   Mavis Staples   Wilco   Lollapalooza  

Hear Jeff Tweedy Sing “You Are Not Alone”

Earlier this month, the title track off Mavis Staples’ forthcoming album, You Are Not Alone, (one of two new songs penned for the iconic singer by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy), premiered on Pitchfork. And though the inspirational tune seamlessly took its place among Staples’ timeless oeuvre, I couldn’t help but imagine the LP’s producer, Tweedy himself, joining the backup singers for one particularly clever turn of phrase: “Open up, this is a raid.” (An almost Sky Blue Sky-esque line, no?)

Thanks to fan site Wilco Club, we get to hear the tune from the always-fascinating Jeff Tweedy solo acoustic angle, and thanks to Anti- Records, Staples’ brilliant track is available to stream, as well. Hear both versions below:

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July 19, 2010 12:12am    Jeff Tweedy   Mavis Staples   Wilco  

Watch: Jeff Tweedy Recites “Single Ladies”

A Jeff Tweedy solo show is something to behold, and the Wilco frontman’s benefit gig at Chicago’s Vic Theatre in March was—by all accounts—a prime example. Tweedy performed a host of pre-submitted audience requests, including “Shakin’ Sugar,” a Wilco rarity that even he had to Google, Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees” (once again), Bill Fay’s Be Not So Fearful,” his new Mavis Staples trackYou’re Not Alone,” a Kinks cover, and dozens more. One fan requested YHF stunner “Ashes of American Flags” or Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies.” Guess which one he chose to sing for 10 seconds and then recite in full for some classic Tweedy stage banter lulz. I, for one, am glad that someone “forfeit[ed] their memories” for this clip.

June 25, 2010 12:21am    Jeff Tweedy   Wilco   Beyoncé  

Jeff Tweedy and Mavis Staples Announce New Album: You Are Not Alone

Ever since news that Jeff Tweedy and the great Mavis Staples have teamed up for a new album hit in January, I’ve been (im)patiently awaiting further details on what this amazing pair cooked up in Wilco’s Chicago studio, The Loft. While we’re still dying to hear the first single, an excellent interview with Pitchfork today and subsequent album details announcement have certainly whet my appetite even further.

Staple’s Jeff Tweedy-produced LP, You Are Not Alone, features 2 brand new songs written by the Wilco frontman himself, as well as reinterpretations of 11 other tunes by the likes of Randy Newman, John Fogerty, Allen Toussaint, and others.

You Are Not Alone is set to drop on September 14 via Anti- Records, one month after her recently-booked performance at Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival in Massachusetts. Check out the full tracklist below (via Jambands):

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June 7, 2010 11:36am    Jeff Tweedy   Mavis Staples   Wilco  

Wilco Play “Deeper Down” for Craig Ferguson (Video)

Wilco stopped by the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson for the second time of the year tonight and played another pitch-perfect rendition of a cut off their latest album, Wilco (The Album). Whereas their last late-night performance featured what’s becoming a trademark Nels Cline guitar freakout coda for the song “One Wing,” Jeff Tweedy and the boys went mellow this time around, limiting Nels to his lap steel and mini Jerry Jones “Shorty” 12-string axe for a calm take on “Deeper Down,” which is faithful to the record. (Still can’t wait for their potentially “more jarring” follow-up, though.)

Watch Chicago’s own below (via TAP):

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May 11, 2010 12:57am    Wilco   Craig Ferguson  

Jay Bennett’s Final Album, Kicking at the Perfumed Air, to Benefit Charity

In addition to his legacy as a member of Wilco, particularly his formidable contribution to their breakthrough masterpiece, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, and five solo LPs, Jay Bennett left behind one last solo album when he tragically died due to an accidental overdose of pain medication at the age of 45 last year. Though said record, Kicking at the Perfumed Air, was known to be in its final stages of completion at the time of his passing, its potential for an official release was uncertain. Until now…

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May 7, 2010 5:32pm    Jay Bennett   Wilco  

Wilco’s John Stirratt Talks LP8

Wilco’s plans to start recording their next album in January may have been delayed a bit due to Jeff Tweedy’s sessions for a forthcoming Mavis Staples album, but have no fear: a new record is still in the works for the Chicago alt-country rockers. In an interview with FasterLouder in Australia, where the band is currently on tour, bassist John Stirratt gave an update on Wilco’s tentative plans for their follow-up to last year’s Wilco (The Album).

“I thought the last record might have been more abrasive but I’d imagine our next one is going to be a lot more jarring I would say,” said Stirratt of LP8. Later he adds:

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April 27, 2010 3:03pm    Wilco   John Stirratt