I recently viewed the concert DVD Jeff Tweedy: Sunken Treasure Live from the Pacific Northwest, which chronicles the Wilco front-man's solo tour from Seattle through its various stops on down to San Francisco. The show was notable for me, most obviously because of my love of the folkie-troubadour-Americana vibe a la Dylan, Guthrie and Van Ronk.
The organic elements of acoustic guitar, voice and harmonica give the spotlight to Tweedy's greatest strength: the songs themselves. Not gifted with the strongest voice or the boldest guitar chops, Tweedy crafts songs that are insightful, poignant, and uplifting while simultaneously twinged with a melancholy that borders on despair. Several of the tunes and interviews on the DVD bear spiritual insights worth listening to; unfortunately (for me) they lean towards territory that is at best cynical and at worst blasphemous.
The only other real downside is, throughout the film Tweedy is sporting perhaps the most horrific-looking beard in the history of mankind (its scraggly and spotty appearance actually manages to distract from the music on several occasions).
Most importantly, watching the DVD filled me with a sense of nostalgia and wonder recalling one of the first dates I had with Olivia -- at the Seattle show! And we kissed afterwards! Good times.
2 comments:
Slippers and warm milk? Sounds nice... and so appropriate. There's something about be able to truly appreciate the fullness of a musical icon. And to have a nostalgic memory with it makes it even sweeter.
Have you heard his stuff w/ Billy Bragg? 'Tis pretty good.
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