Wilco's Greatest Hits

So there's this Guatemalan girl who drives me a little crazy. Not romantically, we're just friends. Sometimes we annoy each other and she even calls me out on shit publicly, to set me straight, when she finds the need to. It's really like she's an adopted sister or a sister from another mother. You can follow her on Twitter @ctothethird if you want. Her updates are a'ight.

Anyhow she's been nagging me for what seems like decades for some tips and pointers on how-to enjoy Wilco and what some of my favorites are. I got fed up, I compiled this playlist and repackaged it in a zip file with the filenames changed to describe the order of the songs in the playlist, or how they should be played.

Here's the file C³!

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For those of you who are Wilco fans and are curious of what this selection is comprised of, check it out here:

1. At Least That's What You Said
2. Hummingbird
3. Company In My Back
4. I am Trying to Break Your Heart
5. Jesus, Etc.
6. I'm the Man Who Loves You
7. Either Way
8. Impossible Germany
9. A Shot in the Arm
10. We're Just Friends
11. California Stars
12. At my Window Sad and Lonely
13. One by One

These songs have traveled with me around the world and will probably remain in constant orbit of my universe. I would also travel for these songs. They own a piece of me. This is my own Wilco's Greatest Hits playlist.

Checkout the poster section of the online Wilco Store. Some of the serigraphs kick ass.

Billy Bragg & Wilco - Mermaid Avenue

So I've posted about Whiskeytown, I've posted a few Wilco records, how have I not posted about this record!!? I don't know and hopefully if you listen you will see how it's challenging to do so. On the other hand, however, this is just a blog so I should take it easy. By the way, although a very minor accomplishment, I can play California Stars on my guitar.

Mermaid Avenue is one of my favorite records, that could be why it's here. Released in 1998, the record is a collection of unrecorded songs by the American legend and folk artist known as Woody Guthrie. On this record, Billy Bragg and Wilco collaborate to play them. It's inception came when Nora Guthrie (Woody's daughter) approached Billy Bragg about the idea. Nora wanted new musicians and music lovers to familiarize themselves with the type of music in hopes of generating a positive influence on today's musicans and music lovers.

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Billy Bragg & Wilco - Mermaid Avenue

The record is bouquet of romantic, political, and fun pieces. The vocals are done by Billy Bragg and Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, which put together an American and British mix of sound. The songs powerful by music and/or lyric all the time. Up till now I haven't introduced Billy Bragg, but the two sentence edit is that he is a live and rockin' British singer/songwriter whose songs are usually romantic or political or both. He's actually extremely active in different movements within British policy I mean, check this out. If anyone wants to know more or sample some of his own work please let me know as I have a few records of his solo work. At that point I'll do a better job in his introduction. This post isn't about Billy Bragg.

I'm doing a shitty job with this post. Maybe really, I don't have the skills to convey how I really feel about it. I just want to share it with people who are looking for it or looking for a new sound that makes you believe that love exists, pain can succeed, and also that hope is not always waste of time - the record is proof of these claims within the axioms of my universe. ;-)

Some of the greats in here are, in no particular order: Walt Whitman's Niece, Way Over Yonder in The Minor Key (which is fun to sing along to), She Came Along to Me (my current favorite in the record), At my Window Sad and Lonely, One by One (one of the most heartbreaking songs), and Another Man's Done Gone (Tweedy greatness exemplified).

And thats all I've got to say about that. (just recently watched Forrest Gump again)

Loose Fur - Born Again in The USA

1. NRP Review and links to things related
2. Unofficial Myspace page
3. Buy the LP
4. Ridiculous Youtube video (not official)
5. Village Voice wiseass review

I think I found this record while browsing the Wilco store online. I was curious as it was the only other side project aside from Mermaid Avenue which is one of my favorite records. This record brings together Jeff Tweedy, frontman for Wilco, Glenn Kotche, drummer for Wilco, and Jim O'Rourke, singer/songwriter not previously associated with Wilco.

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Loose Fur - Born Again in the USA

This three piece is definitely an american underrated piece of music. It's like Neil Young and Billy Joel and out comes Loose Fur (my original metaphor). The Wiki mentiones that this record was a large influence to what is today the finished product of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

Wilco - A Ghost Is Born

Last week I noticed a spike in users looking to download Wilco material. I'm glad to add this album to the blog.

This was the second Wilco album I ever became obsessed with me. There's something incredibly strong about At Least That's What You Said, the first track. Everything from the lyrics and how it's sung which seems like whispers or a monologue of a man amazed at the outcome of his trepidations with his partner. The piano and the guitar to me, show the picture of the scene while he's not talking - in his thoughts and also in reality as he makes his declarations. The banging of the piano really describes specific emotions. It's fluttering melodies also entertain the wavering nature of his frustrations.

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Wilco - A Ghost Is Born

Many of these tracks deserve strong and thorough appreciation and attention. I'm not a music journalist, a writer, a superfan, or any kind music professional and for that reason I won't go into every song.

Anyway, tracks like Spiders (Kidsmoke) is one of those songs that when you first listen to, dizzyness can occur as it continuously repeats a certain rhythm for around 10 minutes. I used to hate it the song. However, I remember having been to their show in Chicago in October of 2004 and being absolutely happy when I heard it and enjoyed every second.

Other songs like Hummingbird, Company In My Back, I'm A Wheel, and Theologians are extremely personal to me to this day and will continue to be. The music, messages, and symbols are such that I enjoy associating to events and symbols in my own life. Anyhow, enjoy the record.

Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

Maybe the sun will shine today.. are the first words on the first lyrics on this finely-crafted work of music. It ruined me and saved me many times over since before it was released up until late summer of this year. It was recorded in 2007 in the same Chicago studio loft shown in their film "I am Trying to Break Your Heart" which was released in 2002. The record is reminiscent of Wilco's earlier work that is loyal to the band's country music influences.

"Impossible Germany" is probably the track that I found most influential at a personal level. My reaction to the song is triggered from excitement and fear of where you're next footstep will land among other things... Musically, I should first mention that the guitar solo towards the end of the song is relentless. If you've never heard this song and you're not much of a Wilco fan, I recommend you give this long song a chance and experience the winding solo. The earlier guitars in the song are fleeting, soothing, and best described as what a perfectly tied pair of shoe laces feels like. You may not understand. Thats ok.

The first three tracks are really where it's at. Also, "Hate it Here" is actually funny, if you have the right sense of humor. "Walken, There's a Light, and On and on and on" are also strong.

Once again, this is a post inspired by request.

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Wilco - Sky Blue Sky (megaupload)
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky (rapidshare)