Today is the release date of my brother-in-law’s new CD, “Sky Blue Sky.” It’s a great album but I better continue my ban on “reviewing” Wilco on this blog. I will be pilloried by my sister if I attempt to analyze Jeff’s music, especially since she knows I’m far more qualified to review the soundtrack to some obscure musical about the Holocaust than anything that’s as au courant as the latest Wilco CD. (I can feel the pillory closing down on me already after using that French phrase.) I’ve been reading the reviews and blog posts about the new CD and I don’t know how musicians can bear reading what people have to say about their work, even when it’s positive. There are always fans who initially freak out when they realize that the new Wilco record sounds different from the previous one, and then there are the folks who write pages and pages about what they believe Jeff’s emotional state was when he wrote each song. I prefer the short-and-sweet raves like one posted earlier today by a musician named Nick Peets who admitted he’s lost all objectivity when it comes to Wilco. “Jeff Tweedy could record the sound of himself taking a dump and I’d probably give it 3.5 stars.” Oy, I pray Jeff never gets that experimental, but I agree with Scott Bauer of the Associated Press who said that “’Sky Blue Sky’ is a straight-ahead, guitar and singer-centered record. It’s mellow without being boring, catchy without being kitsch, and thoughtful without being pretentious.”
Wilco gave a rousing performance this weekend on “A Prairie Home Companion,” one of my favorite radio shows. You can listen to it here. I like Garrison Keillor but was grateful he didn’t try to sing with the band, something he does way too frequently. But, hey, if I were him, I’d probably try it, too, especially if that meant I could sing with Meryl Streep in a Robert Altman film about my show.
“Sky Blue Sky” is currently #4 on Amazon which is great news, but who cares about sales—I’m far more excited that Jeff is going to to be on David Letterman tonight with Mr. Warmth himself, Don Rickles. I have many memories of watching Don Rickles when I was a kid, whether it was on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson, “The Kraft Music Hall,” or the Dean Martin celebrity roasts. I remember all of his appearances on the sitcoms of the day, from his two-episode stint as Lyle Delp on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” to guest shots on “The Munsters,” “The Beverly Hillbillies,” “The Andy Griffith Show,” “I Dream of Jeannie,” and “Get Smart.” We saw Rickles perform a few times in Chicago when I was very young, and though his humor was geared towards martini-swilling, chain-smoking, jaded adults, I used to fall to the floor laughing at his politically incorrect act. I’m guessing that Jeff is more excited about meeting Don Rickles than many of the hipsters he’s come in contact with. When they were here a year ago for a Wilco show that was attended by many hotshot celebrities, Jeff was far more impressed when he ran into Peter Bonerz at a bookstore, the guy who played the dentist on the old “Bob Newhart Show” (Newhart is Don Rickles’ best friend). I only pray that Rickles has his way with Jeff—being insulted by him would be a fantasy come true!
Wilco is about to head to Europe for the first leg of a worldwide tour. If you’re interested in hearing their live shows from London this weekend, you can check out the simulcasts on their cool website. You can also preview the whole CD there and subscribe to the podcasts.
Is that enough family kvelling for one post? Hey, go easy on me, I didn’t even mention Leah’s performance in “Fiddler on the Roof” later this week. “Is this the little girl I carried…is this the little boy at play?” Now there are some songs that Wilco should cover!
Update: I just talked to my sister following the Letterman taping and am happy to report that Jeff did have a classic one-on-one encounter with Don Rickles. They were in the elevator together going up to the studio and Jeff was wearing one of my grandfather’s old hats. Rickles took one look at him and deadpanned, “The kid’s wearing a hat—it must be a Jewish holiday!” Yay, Don Rickles thought my goyishe brother-in-law was a Jew! Our family’s work is done. Jeff said the youngish studio audience didn’t really get Rickles. Has political correctness destroyed this country’s sense of humor?
I'm watching it right now. Christofa (Sopranos) is on right this second, Rickles is done (I can't stand him), and I'm looking forward to Wilco!
Posted by: margalit | May 15, 2007 at 09:25 PM
I've got Sky Blue Sky playing constantly -- in the car, at home, on my headphones at work. I already confessed in my own blog that I've had the .mp3s for a couple of months, but I bought the deluxe package w/CD, DVD, vinyl, t-shirt, and totebag from the website, too, so I am not that much of a criminal! My friend Jenny was listening to SBS when she was transitioning into her final phase of labor on May 3rd, and baby Sylvia was so at peace when she was born that she didn't even cry. All the credit goes to Wilco.
Don Rickles is definitely not my style. I don't think he's funny at all.
Posted by: Heather | May 16, 2007 at 05:14 AM
My brother is a HUGE Wilco fan - he just spent the better part of our beach vacation explaining the genius of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot in detail - I'm sure he's got his hands on this album already!
Posted by: Wendy | May 16, 2007 at 08:45 AM
I still haven't heard the album yet. I'm really excited about it. Alsmost as excited as I would be to meet Don Rickles.
Good for Leah. I bet she brings down the house.
Posted by: Churlita | May 16, 2007 at 09:05 AM
Watched the show just in time for Don Rickles who I still think is pretty funny. I also saw your brother in law. I was hoping that David would of interviewed him a little. I like his music, and now that I know he's Sue's husband makes it even better! I will buy his CD if I ever get out of the hospital!!
Posted by: Arlene | May 16, 2007 at 09:47 AM
I have never liked Don Rickles' brand of humor, and I know nothing about Wilco, but I do know one thing--your writing is fantastic! I discovered your blog yesterday and have been reading it off and on ever since.
You're so perceptive and in-touch with pop culture and the world. I especially enjoyed your entries about The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, The Waltons, Doris Day and Queen Latifah ( see, I really have been reading this!)
Keep up the excellent work! I'm going to add you to my list of frequently accessed blogs. I'm quite picky, so you'll be number 5.
Posted by: char | May 16, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Until I started reading your blog way back when, Danny, I'd never heard of Wilco. But I made sure to watch them last night on Letterman. Not too shabby...and to think that you can call the front man "MISHPOCHE"!
As for Rickles, I adored him last night. Wouldn't I have loved to face off with him in an elevator as Wilco did!
Posted by: Pearl | May 16, 2007 at 01:30 PM
Jacques would be so jealous -- he's a HUGE Don Rickles fan.
Posted by: amba | May 26, 2007 at 07:58 PM
wow, great live version of what light.
thanks for the tip i got to see it on youtube.
Posted by: JDG | June 08, 2007 at 09:59 PM