Try Cowboy Junkies "Trinity Sessions," their first and a MUST for Cowboy Junkies fans. Truly amazing recording . . . you can hear the air in the church it was recorded in.
As for Wilco, "YHF" is an evolutionary record. Either "A.M." or "Being There" is a good intro. Jeff Tweedy has been on a path of synthesizing seemingly disparate music genres and "YHF" is his most accomplished yet. The earlier two mentioned are more conventional and more accessible, in terms of understanding his direction. "Summerteeth" is a bridge from those two to "YHF," and foreshadows "YHF" in its Beatles and Beach Boys influences. "YHF" is the more artistic achievement. |
Also make sure you pick up Mermaid Avenue, the original not Vol. 2, which is Wilco and Billy Bragg doing songs put together from the lyrics of Woody Guthrie. A classic! |
YHF is a strange one. Bought it a while back, and I think the first time I played it (while driving) all I got was "I am an American aquarium drinker" and a bunch of dissonant openings. Then, found it in my car again on a long drive to NYC, and it really started to grow on me. Then it started to really, really grow on me. Now I think its a great album... Although, if anyone can explain the aforementioned lyric to me, I'd be much appreciative! ; )
Give it some time and throw it one every now and again. Jesus, etc., Heavy Metal Drummer--good fun songs. |
Once you get all of the Cowboy Junkies [ a horse in the country is my favorite ] you must look at Eva Cassidy and Mary Black to add to your favorite Girls. |
on the wilco theme, yhf is a different path for them,try the mentioned recordings as well as any uncle tupelo, tweedy's band before wilco, and sonvolt(the lead member i cant recall-i'm working..hehe) both bands are more of the alt country style
anyone ever heard of the detriot cowpunk band GOOBER AND THE PEAS ? i'm finding it a very sought after band on ebay |
Interestingly both probably started in the same place. I first hear Jeff Tweedy of Wilco in Uncle Tupelo a great 80's country rock band in the Gram Parsons tradition. Anything they did was great. More recently Wilco have veered away from the country rock thing to Exile era Stones and even 70's Kinks or Small Faces(Being There is my favourite). YHF seems to be an attempt to get into new areas - reminds me of REM when they tired of their early stuff and went more adventurous. Again with repeated listens YHF is a great album - takes 20-30 listens to really open up - but kindof cool goes from slow more experimental sounds songs to louder rockers on alternate numbers. Similar for me is Ryan Adams and Whiskeytown well worth investigating or a little more adventurous but great sounding albums by Lambchop or the Pernice Brothers aka Scud Mountain Boys.
You are right re Margo - that voice like Lucinda Williams for me. But also the bass player and bass is always great on Cowboy Junkie albums. Great late night glass of wine or scotch in the dark music. Enjoy! |
Wow, thanks for the warnings about Wilco. I thought it was just me. I bought YHF listened to it, checked to see if I bought the right cd (recommended in the audio rags), and hated it. Listened to it a few more times and I still hate it. I guess I need to listen to it about 15 to 20 more times if I don't throw it away first. |
Ultrakaz
That is too funny. I noticed that, too. I wonder how much music I would love if only I listened to it 20 or 30 times before I came to my final conclusion. Is music like a good set of speakers? Does it require a break in period I can't say that I hate Wilco; hate is such a strong word, but I don't know if I am liked them that much. I mean, I read about how Wilco's YHF is a masterpiece and then I feel stupid because I can't hear the genius in the music.
It is interesting that Wilco's reviews are black and white. People loved YHF or they hated it. |
I love Cowboy Junkies music because of Margo Timmins haunting yet sensual voice-- especially on their many ballads, and also because of their unusual but very engaging band work. I also really admire Michael Timmins' guitar playing-- and he writes much of their music. I've been a 'Junkies fan for years and still can't "classify" their music.
For a different side of the Cowboy Junkies, try "Waltz Across America". Cheers. Craig |
This may sound completely retarded, but hey Im not scared. I think in order to appreciate YHF you may first need to be a little more versed in Wilco. I think one of the things I liked most abuot YHF was seeing glimpses of it in their previous albums. It was like I had Bing There and loved some of the songs, and the others were just so much filler.
Then Summerteeth came out and it seemed like a very nice pop album with some more fantastic moments and songs on it, but it was just a little lacking from being a truly great album.
Then YHF came out, and it was like everything I ever wanted Wilco to be.
Maybe it is aking to seeing Godfather II without the context of the first. Its still a damn good flick, but its better to know the history. |
I really do like Wilco's YHF however I would argue that half a dozen or so plays should be enough to decide if you like it or not.
It's not that difficult an album except maybe if you only listen to really mainstream stuff.... |
Despite the media portraying Yankee Foxtrot as an "experimental" album...it really is classic Wilco...and predictable in its unpredictability concerning experimental noodlings...I like it...and I hate almost everything... |
just wait 'til next month. then comes: "wilco covers cowboy junkies' covers of lou reed." margo plays a mean set of bagpipes on this one.
-cfb |
