Speaking of which, Cline is a force of nature unto himself throughout, proving once again (as if any further proof were needed) that his addition was that one missing piece of the puzzle that finally completed this already formidable band. Cline's solos on "Side With The Seeds," "Handshake Drugs," and especially the dual axe-shredding with Pat Sansone on "Impossible Germany" are simply stunning.
The film also has some of the best sound I've ever heard on a concert DVD. The chimes on a soundchecked version of "Ashes Of American Flags," for example, ring as clear as a church bell, and the hi-hats and cymbals on songs like "Side With The Seeds" and "Impossible Germany" are both crisp and distinct. You literally hear every single thing here with absolute clarity. As concert films go, this is really about as good as it gets.
It's also very cool to see the way that Wilco interacts with its audience, accepting a "Grammy" from one concertgoer at Washington DC's 9:30 club, and even sticking around afterwords to sign autographs.
Ashes Of American Flags also features some great extras. In addition to the 90 minute concert film, the bonus tracks include "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart," "Theologians," and "Hate It Here."
There is also a download which gives you MP3 tracks of the complete performances, the full Washington DC concert, as well as all of the other goodies that come with the free membership you get in the fans-only area of WilcoWorld. On my very first visit there earlier tonight, I learned that Wilco's new album has been completed and mastered. Here is the complete track listing of the as-yet-untitled album in sequence:
Wilco The Song
Deeper Down
One Wing
Bull Black Nova
You And I
You Never Know
Country Disappeared
Solitaire
I'll Fight
Sunny Feeling
Everlasting
I can't wait.
Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
I agree, Glen. This is a fantastic DVD - I won't belittle it by calling it simply a "live concert" because it really is so much better than that. I can really see why Jeff scuttled plans for the Kicking Television DVD that was to be a straight-concert video now - he wanted something more artful, and he got it here.
My one complaint is actually about the sound: the concert footage sounds great, but the interview segments are WAY too quiet. Hard to hear the thoughtful comments from these guys at times, at least on a regular TV and no particular sound system . . .
Also one note: the Washington DC show is only available through April 27, meant only for purchasers through the Wilco site and at indie record stores. So if you have it, don't hesitate, though the process is convoluted and annoying for people who already had a Wilcoworld membership (I now have two.)
2 - Glen Boyd
The interview stuff sounded fine on my end tom, and the concert sound was phenomenal (I still can't get over that bright sounding chime on "Ashes Of American Flags"). I agree with you that the whole download thing was a bit confusing, but I did get the DC show (as well as the other cool stuff).
-Glen