Way Back Wednesday - A Shot In The Arm

It's Way Back Wednesday today. I'm going to take us back to the summer of 1999. It doesn't feel like that long ago but it was almost 22 years ago now.  My favourite Wilco album was released that year and I spent the best part of the summer listening to "Summerteeth" almost all summer. When I wasn't listening to that, I had "Utopia Parkway" by Fountains of Wayne in my hears but that's for another day.

Over the past couple of days I've been thinking about all of the misinformation that's being spread about the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine. It's a bunch of crap and there is a risk of huge numbers of doses being lost or destroyed because of bad information and unnecessary fear. I got the AZ vaccine, almost 2 weeks ago. Other than being a bit fatigued and having a slightly tender arm (which always happens to me whenever I receive a vaccination) I had no horrible, life-threatening side-effects. I'd take the second dose today if I could. As it sits, I'm scheduled to receive it in August. 

In my opinion, and in the opinion of most health care providers, the best vaccine is the one that's in your arm. Speaking of that, while I've been reading all of this conflicting and stupid news, I've had a song from "Summerteeth" stuck in my head, "A Shot in the Arm." So, that's what I'm sharing for Way Back Wednesday today. It's a super sweet live version, recorded for KEXP. Hope you enjoy it and I hope you're either vaccinated or on the list to get a jab. Stay home, stay safe, be kind to each other xo

Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm

Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm

Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm

Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm

Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm

Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm

Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm

Way Back Wednesday - Box Full of Letters

It occurred to me recently that many Wilco songs are now more than 20 years old and thus meet the criteria for Way Back Wednesday

That makes me so happy... so happy in fact that I'm considering doing Way Back Wilco Wednesdays all summer.  Stay tuned for that.

In the meantime, I'm sharing a song from A.M., "Box Full of Letters." It's a great song and a wicked earworm.  I often get this stuck in my head and I have absolutely no problem with that, not at all.

Hope you enjoy this stroll down the mid-90's memory lane.  Happy Hump Day kiddos xo

I got a lot of your records,
In a separate stack
Some things that I might like to hear,
But I guess I'll give 'em back

The Days of the Week - Monday

How was your weekend?

Mine was okay, I attempted to rake up some of the many many leaves which have found their way into my back yard.  For the first time in over a week, it stopped raining so I was able to get out there. If you can believe it, it took a while just to clean off the decks, steps and pathways in my tiny back yard.  The funny thing about it is that I have 3 hydrangea bushes in my yard but no actual trees.  My very generous neighbours have all given me the gift of leaves.  It's the price we pay for shade all summer I suppose.

Because it's been so wet and rainy, a fair amount of leaf slime had accumulated on the deck.  I slipped in it a few times.  Never falling but twisting in a weird way to prevent the fall.  A fall probably would have been less painful than whatever it was that I did to my back.  I ended up packing it in early and doing 4 loads of laundry instead of raking.  Hopefully I'll catch a break in the weather later this week and get the back cleared up.  My goal is the week of November 19 because the city is doing leaf pick up that week and it would be nice to not have to haul them up to the municipal composting site if I don't have to.

I'm sure your weekend was way more fun than that.

Today, in honour of Nablopomo 2018, I'm introducing a new theme, "the days of the week." This will feature songs containing a day of the week in the title or in the band's name.  At some point, I guess it'll be safe to presume that you'll be seeing a lot of Happy Mondays and Til Tuesday here.  In the meantime, I'll leave you with this gem from Wilco, a live performance of "Monday" from their second studio album, 1996's "Being There."  Enjoy and have a happy Monday xo

Not Guilty, Just Pleasure - Impossible Germany

I don't think I talk about Wilco enough.

Honestly, I don't think you can talk to Wilco too much, or listen to them too much either for that matter.

I always have some Wilco in almost all of my playlists (not CanCon ones though, obvs).  One of the things I respect about them is that they are constantly evolving, they change things up with each new release and don't sit on their laurels.

When I was younger, I did not understand or appreciate long songs.  They seemed like a waste of time to me, and any long solos in the middle seemed self-indulgent, masturbatory actually.  Sometime in the 1990's, my opinion on that changed.  Thank goodness it did or I likely would not have given the song I'm sharing with you a second listen.

"Impossible Germany," from the Sky Blue Sky album is one of my favourite songs, not just of Wilco's, but in general.  It's brilliant and this particular performance of it (live on KCRW) is fantastic.  Watching Nels play will give you goosebumps, it does me, every time.

Sit back and be ready for today's not guilty, just pleasure tune... I think it's impossible to not love it, hope you agree xo

Not Guilty, Just Pleasure - Hate it Here

If you're a regular reader of my little blog you will know that I am a fan of Wilco.

A couple of months ago, I heard that Jeff Tweedy of Wilco would be coming to Kingston.  Immediately, without hesitation, I bought two tickets and then texted my friend John.  Jeff Tweedy in Kingston? How would that be possible, so excited was I!

John and me, waiting for Mr Tweedy

So, Sunday night, John and I sat in our awesome second row seats and were dazzled and amazed by an acoustic performance by Jeff Tweedy.  I lost count of how many songs he played... I had submitted a request for "Hate it Here" for Mark (he didn't play it!).  It was his favourite Wilco song and he would have been super stoked to have seen Mr Tweedy in our sleepy little town.  Because tomorrow is Mark's birthday, I'm going to share this version of "Hate it Here" with you all.  It's a full band, live version and it's great. Because WILCO! Am I right?!

Happy Birthday Mark,  you'd be turning 66 tomorrow if you were still with us.  We all love you and miss you, like crazy, yesterday, today and forever. xo

because it's Tuesday - week of April 11

"this is not a joke, so please stop smiling..."

How much do I love Wilco?

...LOTS

How great an album is "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot"??

...INCREDIBLY

How much do I love "I am trying to break your heart?"

...SO MUCH

"I am an american aquarium drinker" - how awesome is that line?? SO AWESOME

I love love lover JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound's cover of "I am trying to break your heart."

just try, TRY!!!, to not tap your toe to this version.

go on chump, I double dog dare you!!! xo