12.4.08
The Biblical origins of Bob Dylan's IT'S ALRIGHT MA (I'm Only Bleeding)
King Solomon inspired one of Dylan's most enduring songs
12.2.08
Napping more effective than a cuppa joe
Reports says replace afternoon coffee with a lie-down
11.29.08
[BOOK REVIEW] LUSH LIFE by Richard Price
Review by Seth Rogovoy, critic-at-large, Berkshire Living
11.26.08
MASS MoCA DIRECTOR to BRING SOL LEWITT SOUTH
Rest of the Story event at the Triplex on Dec. 14
11.25.08
[FILM REVIEW] QUANTUM OF SOLACE
Review by Seth Rogovoy, BERKSHIRE LIVING Magazine
11.23.08
[FILM REVIEW} A SECRET by Claude Miller
Review by Seth Rogovoy, critic-at-large, Berkshire Living
11.23.08
Why so many Holocaust films, and what do they say about us?
Film critic A.O. Scott asks penetrating questions about our obsession with Nazis and their Jewish victims
11.23.08
Lenox Gallery to feature small works by top regional artists
[PRESS RELEASE] Shade Gallery at the Bookstore opens new show on December 4
11.23.08
First English pubs, now French cafes are fading
Along with smoking and drinking, so goes the French way of life
7.7.08
CHATHAM SYNAGOGUE TO CELEBRATE LEGACY OF MARC CHAGALL
[PRESS RELEASE] Discussion of his life and work
11.17.08
[FILM REVIEW] RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
Review by Seth Rogovoy, BERKSHIRE LIVING Magazine
11.7.08
Police, school administration apologize for terrorizing MMRHS students
Overreaction to bomb threats prompts indiscriminate police interrogation of innocent students
11.6.08
Another look at Dylan's IS YOUR LOVE IN VAIN?
Dylan's post-divorce song offers great insight into the transitional period
11.4.08
Dave Mason to perform at the Mahaiwe Dec. 5
[PRESS RELEASE] Legendary rocker, former member of Traffic, brings guitar and band to Great Barrington
11.4.08
Ani DiFranco to play Bardavon
[PRESS RELEASE] Indie folksinger performs in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., on November 19, 2008
11.4.08
Ani DiFranco to play Bardavon
[PRESS RELEASE] Indie folksinger performs in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., on November 19, 2008
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[MUSIC REVIEW] Wilco at Tanglewood
8.13.08
TANGLEWOOD
WILCO
August 12, 2008
by Seth Rogovoy
(Lenox, Mass., August 12, 2008) -- While there was a little too much hype claiming that this was the first authentic rock concert at Tanglewood since the 1970s (as recent as the mid to late 1990s, artists including Bob Dylan and Neil Young performed there several times), Wilco's appearance on Tuesday night was, nevertheless, triumphant -- as much for what they accomplished musically as for what they stood for in terms of breaking a perceived barrier against rock at Tanglewood.
Having been well acquainted with the band's music but never having seen the group perform, one had no idea what to expect, and frankly, one was a little puzzled? How would the group capture the well-textured intimacy of some of its later work? Would the seemingly introspective Jeff Tweedy be enough of a presence to hold a concertgoer's interest for at least two hours?
Well, this concertgoer was pleasantly blown away on all accounts. In every way Wilco surpassed all expectations. When the music required pretty and lush, the arrangements were pretty and lush -- even more so than on record. When the music required a hard-rock crunch, the band, powered by phenomental guitarist Nels Cline, out sonic-ed Sonic Youth. And as for Tweedy, he as an utterly charming, genial, if low-key frontman -- making the most of his limited vocal range but retaining focus and, yes, entertaining the crowd with Chaplinesque gestures and well-chosen asides in between songs.
Wilco's mix of The Band-like Americana with Beatlesque pop is pretty unique, and with the addition of some funk, some noise-rock, and some glam, the band pulled off a diverse, upbeat show out of even its gloomiest material. The secret is that so much of Tweedy's work celebrates music itself, that, in the end, Wilco is at its best as a live band, even more than as a recording act.
The one weak link in the show, one that didn't detract at all but didn't add anything either, was the occasional addition of a three-man horn section from Chicago called "The Total Pros." That they weren't is probably the kindest thing one could say about them.
Seth Rogovoy is the editor-in-chief and award-winning music critic at Berkshire Living Magazine.
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