Yo La Tengo live

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The funny thing is, in some interviews I've read, Ira is quite forthcoming about the technical crapness of his guitar soloing technique. (It's not the POINT.)

― Josh, Saturday, 14 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Who are you pinefox character? You are only provoking people. You seem to know nothing about indie music (you pretended neither to know Modest Mouse nor Momus who had started the recent thread on Weltanschauung). So go on insulting, it is kind of funny, you are like a cartoon character. You never like anything so what do you do in the forum I love music?

To the others: try for loads of Yo La Tengo live songs. Blue Line Swinger is a classic for example. I like the version at St. Louis which is stretched to ten minutes. The song evolves very slowly. Almost like Low's cover of Joy Division's Transmission (one of the few covers which can compete with the original). I must admit I did not have the time to listen to all these mp3's. Anyways next time they are around and they love Germany and Germany loves them I will go to see them.

― alex in mainhattan, Saturday, 14 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Sorry it is really difficult to post a link. I try again. Loads of live YLT mp3's are here

― alex in mainhattan, Saturday, 14 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

i believe the pinefox rather likes the sundays and lloyd cole. rumours that he is a fan of dj wankchops are, however, still uncomfirmed...

― gareth, Saturday, 14 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

"collective charisma of peas": but peas ONLY hve collective charisma — this is surely the point of them. I had an acquaintance once who would describe his favourite meal as "A pie, a chip and a pea… " This is funny because of the gap between what you imagine him eating, and what he actually was eating (= pie, chips and peas).

Sonic Youth played the single most amazing live show I have ever seen , at the ICA in 1983 or 1984. The three or four times I have seen them since they have been boring: I realise I have been buying records and liking them purely in expectation of having a repeat experience delivered. Nothing suggests to me that this *cannot* occur: but it *may* not. I have next to no opinion abt Yo La Tengo either way.

― mark s, Saturday, 14 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Who are you mainhattan character? You are only, how you say, stimulating people. You seem to know so much about the music pop (you know Jacob's Mouse also Falco, yes rock me, amadeus, oh. I wish to know your Weltanschauung, is good, yes. Your cartoon bonfire it tease me). So go on writing, it kind of funny is, you are like is a movie star from years 20. You like anything so is good you in the forum I love music yes.

― the pinefox, Saturday, 14 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Oh dear, here we go.

To Alex in all seriousness -- well, again, a matter of perception here. Were you fortunate enough to attend, you might have found the YLT set opening for MBV involved and interesting, but as mentioned for me aside from the one song it was crudulous (I vaguely remember Ira starting on stage flailing all around on his guitar and trying to 'rock out,' I guess -- it looked stupid and I wasn't impressed). MBV, for my money, had enough get-into-it live energy to easily carry the performance -- Deb Googe was always the most active of the bunch, unquestionably, but on things like the 35-minute (yes!) version of the "You Made Me Realize" midsong jam that I saw at the second show everybody seemed possessed by the music and performance. To be sure, Kevin and Bilinda were mostly concentrating on what they were playing and getting it across -- but the music itself was so enveloping, it was insane. The first time I saw them that year, the overcrowded, packed club audience were constantly swaying back and forth, unsteady, a queasy slow-motion pit while the band blasted away. Who needed acrobatics on the stage itself at that point?

As for Sonic Youth's alleged improv skills -- hm. The one time I saw them back in 1999, it was just after the equipment theft, so I allowed for the fact that it was a greatest hits set of a sort and fairly conservative all around, played on borrowed equipment and generally not being much different from what was on record (they did at least do my all time favorite SY song "Mote," though, so I was very pleased). Great was my surprise when I learned from a friend who had been at both that show and the SF show just before the instrument theft that they had played *the same exact set*. I had been resolutely unconvinced by them over time, and that just made it all the worse.

And don't knock the Pinefox -- like it or not, Alex, there *are* people with different opinions from yourself who will hold to that opinion just as strongly as you do yours. ;-)

― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 14 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Wait -- so for a comeback, you're making fun of the fact that he's from Germany? That crosses the line, IMHO, especially inasmuch as his English is just fine; I suspect you wouldn't do that with someone from Japan, or Ghana, or so on. Attack his arguments, if you like, but not his ethnicity.

As for Yo La Tengo, surprisingly, I know very little of their recorded output. However, when I saw them live in May 1998 (my band, among others, opened for them), I enjoyed it quite a bit. Talkative college students ruined all the quiet songs (which were very good otherwise), and the loud songs were fun -- Ira was tossing his guitar everywhere, squalling and howling. It was a good time.

― Phil, Saturday, 14 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Ah... perhaps we should compare YLT live with Mogwai, or Godspeed or Sigur Rios or Built To Spill or [noise-art band] live rather than always using Sonic Youth? Might make for another level of discussion.

To the previous question:

I found YLT to be quite enjoyable live. A very professional, tight band who know when to let go and when to come back in.

I missed them at the Town Hall shows here in town tho, and have never been to a sit-down show with them. I'm sure it's on par with Kronos or going to hear chamber music.

― JM, Saturday, 14 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

The most recent YLT stuff I heard made me think of Low. Which was a worthy enough approach...

― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 14 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

I think that's the first nice thing I've ever seen you say about YLT, Ned. ;)

― Josh, Sunday, 15 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Funniest post ever, Pinefox!

― Dr. C, Sunday, 15 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

The most recent YLT stuff I heard made me think of Low.

which is why the sonic youth comparisons mystify me, unless we're only talking about the last two sy geffen albums, and even that's doubtful. maybe i haven't heard the right ylt but what i heard just sounded like another, albeit better-than-average, music-for-old- people indie-mumble band. i don't see a "death valley '69" coming out of that bunch anytime soon.

i didn't think sy were especially known for their improvisations live. most of what's on the records sounds pretty through-composed to me. obviously they stretch out some songs but they were never a postpunk dead afaik. too bad to hear they were in poor form at atp last year. i saw them last summer in montreal and they were good, though the show was short. they even opened with a searing version of "burning spear" and did stellar versions of "schizophrenia" and "kool thing," closing with an extended "nyc g&f." their workout through their whole back catalogue did make me appreciate that i like some parts of it a lot more than others.

― sundar subramanian, Sunday, 15 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

I'll allow for honest reactions, Josh. ;-) But I'll lay money on the next album pissing me off again. ;-)

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 15 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

@Ned: I guess we have different approaches to music. To put it short: mine is intuitive and yours is rational. On the other hand maybe MBV had a bad day when they played in Brussels ten years ago and maybe YLT had two bad days when you saw them opening for those "big" names.

@Pinefox: Nice reply. I could not stop laughing (I am dead serious). But how about: Who are you mainhattan characters? They are only, like you say and with energy supply people. They seem, in the music bang so much, versed to be (you know mouse also Falco Jacob, swing me, amadeus, OH - . I would like to know well-being their world opinion in the morning. It neckt Karikaturbonfire it I). If you go into such a way on writing, it, type of merry, is you is, like film star of years 20. Therefore they like, everything are good you in the love music of the forum I. Now it makes sense. Thanks to Babelfish. So you like Lloyd Cole? Mmm. Me too. But could it be that you have taken the title of his last album too literal? Don't get weird on me pinefox.

@Phil: No. My English is crap and was even worse in that post above. And you are exaggerating. Pinefox cracked a joke. I do not think that this is enough to start a war. And I guess our ethnicity is the same (I am Indo-European). But thanks anyway.

― alex in mainhattan, Sunday, 15 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Mine is *rational*? No offense, Alex, but I'll kindly ask you not to presume what my own thoughts and reactions to music are and what they're motivated by. I'm not presuming what *yours* are. Sheesh!

My first experience to MBV, as I've gone on about elsewhere (time and again!) on this board, was pure shock and stunned trance at how wonderful it was, hearing "Soon" for the very first time. That had about as much to do with rationality as throwing myself off a cliff because I might bounce.

I have no problem with you arguing your case and all, but junk your attempts at artistic psychoanalysis. If you can't accept the fact I disagree, that's your problem and not mine.

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 15 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

I did not want to offend you Ned, but a couple of posts up the thread you wrote: People should play by mind control and never touch the actual instrument. and you were answering to my post on Ira having sex with his guitar. I do not believe that you want to tell me that your concept of mind control is emotional and intuitive.

On the other hand when I read your last post I am flabbergasted by your sensitivity.

I accept that and I do not want to go any deeper (only a little bit). I just wanted to understand why our judgements differ. Especially as we start from practically the same point. When I saw MBV ten years ago they were my favourite group. Loveless was the most hypnotic album of the 90s. A song like When you sleep is absolutely stunning and still today. The concert left me totally cold. No interaction between the band and the public whatsoever. Except some stage-divers. When I went to see YLT the first time I did not expect a lot. And Ira talked to us and reacted when people asked for songs. And he was playing guitar like a devil (sorry another stereotype). Totally involved into his music. He was on a trip and he took us with him. I left the concert as a convert to YLT. When comparing those two bands to drugs I would say MBV is about taking LSD, a lonely but very strong experience. But YLT is about sharing a joint. It is a social thing and it is a soft and quite feeble high which lasts.

So maybe we have different preferences concerning those substances.

― alex in mainhattan, Sunday, 15 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Alex - a generous response to Pinefox's (in hindsight) slightly offensive post, which I thoughtlessly supported. I shouldn't have. Sorry.

― Dr. C, Sunday, 15 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

This is starting to get in the realms of the ridiculous, Alex. For one thing I've never taken (illegal, at least) drugs either, so please stop while you're ahead about assuming what I'm all about. You've now failed on two counts -- and again, I've made no assumptions about * your* favorite drug/reading material/sexual activity/late night snack/ whatever, so quite why you think your own assumptions about me are possibly the key to all this mystifies me. Can you not accept the idea of difference of opinion?

For another thing, this 'really getting into it, man = emotion; concentrating on playing = technical, unemotional' vision -- I absolutely refuse this limiting, ridiculous stereotype. Some of the most calculated bullshit I've ever encountered at shows has been from the most active people on-stage, some of the freest, most evocative and emotional playing from the most calm and controlled performers. Roy Montgomery in particular, with two extended improvisatory pieces at Terrastock 2, showed that much, all while sitting down, but he had that crowd -- and a large one it was -- on as much of a trip as Ira did for yours. *And* Mr. Montgomery was engaging in a bit of audience banter too if that makes you happy.

I am not trying to set up an opposing set of rules to yours, Alex, but I am trying to demonstrate that your own vision is not automatically the mirror image of mine. Is this so hard to understand?

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 15 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Alex -- point taken; if you're not offended, I'm certainly not going to presume to be on your behalf! ;-)

(But I still maintain, however, that your English is not crap. Es ist ganz besser als mein Deutsch...)

― Phil, Sunday, 15 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Just wanted to say that this discussion is worthless since YLT are a bunch of Lou Reed fans. They should be put up against a wall and shot.

On the subject of YLT live- I remember Alec Empire interview in NME where he talked about seeing YLT live and how they were scared to go on because the stage was covered in water and so they might get fried! Onstage!

And alec then called them a bunch of assholes- he would love to be there himself, he'd relish that kind of situation- and he proceeded to tell the the kids to stop buying all of this indie garbage.

― Julio Desouza, Monday, 16 July 2001 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

4 years pass...

They're doing their 8-night Hanukkah charity stand at Maxwells again, but it appears 3 of the shows are sold out... I lucked out with the surprise guests the last two years: Ronnie Spector and Wreckless Eric.

http://www.yolatengo.com/schedule.html

'Fun' reading above.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 1 December 2005 22:34 (7 years ago) Permalink

I saw them about a year ago, and it was one of the biggest letdowns of the year.

I suppose I'm only really familiar with "And the nothing...", "I Can Hear the Heart...", "Summer Sun", and "Painful", since those are the only ones I own. Oh, and their first album, which I've listened to 1/2 a time.

But I only recognized about 5 of the songs they played, total. I assume the rest were covers, obscure b-sides...who knows. When things couldn't get any worse, they ended with their "Nuclear War" cover, which lasted about 15 minutes and wasn't very impressive. Then, when they finished, a fall-over-drunk woman yelled out, "HAY!!1 Play it...aGEE-YEN!"

And they did. They played another 15 minute long version of Nuclear War, which was just as disappointing as the first. Then, they were done.

Plus, it looked like Ira and Georgia were in the middle of a messy divorce the whole show.

― Zach S, Friday, 2 December 2005 02:06 (7 years ago) Permalink

I was at both 3-11-2000 shows, matinee and late, at the GAMH in San Francisco — and they were fantastic. But they were supporting an album I liked a lot, and Lambchop was the support, so the circumstances were all good. But then I saw them last year in Memphis and they kinda sucked. Antietam opened and were boring, and it was summer and 912 degrees, YLT was supporting an album I don't like at all, and like Zach said, their "Nuclear War" goes on forfuckingever.

― I do feel guilty for getting any perverse amusement out of it (Rock Hardy), Friday, 2 December 2005 02:33 (7 years ago) Permalink

i still count the first couple times i saw them (at the late, not very lamented LA club the Alligator Lounge) as among the best shows i've ever attended. that was back in 95, when they were supporting electra pura. they sounded pretty mind blowing to me and my other 16 year old friends. since then, i've seen them a bunch and have enjoyed each show, but these days they may be trying to squeeze a bit too much into a set--leaping haphazardly from goofy covers to noise freakouts to whispery ballads to epic jams. i like all of that, but the last time i saw them, i wished they'd just stick with one or two of those styles...

― Tyler Wilcox (tylerw), Friday, 2 December 2005 03:08 (7 years ago) Permalink

The Hanukkah shows are pretty much always great.

― cdwill, Friday, 2 December 2005 03:22 (7 years ago) Permalink

I've seen 'em more than a few times; their Lollapolooza show was pretty much what got me into indie rock (well, the organ freakout in False Alarm). I wasn't as wild about the last few times I saw them, including playing with The Clean (who were surprisingly good), but I like the freakouts. And I've never seen 'em be bad, just that sometimes I think they'd be more worth it at $8 than $16.

― js (honestengine), Friday, 2 December 2005 05:22 (7 years ago) Permalink

I saw them at the Alligator back around then, Tyler, was 28th Dye opening? I remember some goofballs in the audience were trying to clap along with "Speeding Motorcycle" and failing.

I've loved them both times I've seen them, and like all the LPs, though And Nothing... doesn't get much play.

― nickn (nickn), Friday, 2 December 2005 08:24 (7 years ago) Permalink

no i didn't see them with 28th dye. the opening acts were run on and chris knox, i believe. i also recall that tabitha soren was at one of the shows...ah, tabitha.

― Tylerw (tylerw), Friday, 2 December 2005 15:01 (7 years ago) Permalink

I've got to be in double digits with YLT shows. The only time I saw them put on a bad performance was at Irving Plaza one time, they brought on this free jazz horn section to play along for about 70% of the set. Really irritating stuff...it sounded like an experimental Boz Scaggs cover band.

But other than that, they've never been bad. And I told Ira Kaplan he was a Rock God at Maxwells one time, and he was doubled over laughing with (or at) me. I was pretty drunk at the time.

― kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Friday, 2 December 2005 15:10 (7 years ago) Permalink

I've seen them 30+ times I think. You really don't hafta LOVE them to enjoy the Hanukkah shows for their vaudeville aspect; the one I saw last year opened with some 12-year-olds doing punk covers, a reunion of the Shams, the comedian Patton Oswalt (who shocked me by being funny) and then YLT with Wreckless Eric for encores.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Friday, 2 December 2005 15:14 (7 years ago) Permalink

1 month passes...

Ira's Hanukkah marathon diary:

http://www.yolatengo.com/ylt/hanukkah2005diary.html

I was at the Sun Ra Arkestra show Wednesday, which was fine (esp the jammy version of "Little Honda") except I found the comedians only mildly amusing.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 2 January 2006 17:01 (7 years ago) Permalink

yo la tengo have never disappointed me live.

― maria tessa sciarrino (theoreticalgirl), Monday, 2 January 2006 17:52 (7 years ago) Permalink

Those Chanukah shows with Lennie Kaye,David Johansen, Lois Mafeo, and Half Jap must have been great. I think the one with Tortoise must have been less happening, unless you like those long long jams.

― Curmudgeon Steve (Steve K), Tuesday, 3 January 2006 01:57 (7 years ago) Permalink

Two of the five or so greatest shows I've seen were YLT shows, and I don't wear indie-rock glasses or ringer shirts. However, after the quality of their albums nosedived (starting with And Then Nothing..., depressingly solidified with the monumentally mediocre Summer Sun), their live shows took a similar hit.

Their pieces with new-music horn players (Arkestra, Sabir Mateen, etc.) are the most disappointing collaborations since Dim Stars.

YLT were almost the Who circa 1968. Now they're the Who circa 1989. A huge and tragic waste.

― Lawrence the Looter (Lawrence the Looter), Tuesday, 3 January 2006 08:47 (7 years ago) Permalink

did anyone catch their maxwell's show this new year's eve?

― it was jody that killed the beast (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 3 January 2006 08:48 (7 years ago) Permalink

As someone said to me when we were picking a night for this year: "Hoboken, New Year's Eve, no thank you."

"Tragic waste" is a ridiculous overstatement even if you don't like the horn stuff. Having the same approach to your shows in 1992 and 2005 would be ossification.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 3 January 2006 14:12 (7 years ago) Permalink

Their pieces with new-music horn players (Arkestra, Sabir Mateen, etc.) are the most disappointing collaborations since Dim Stars.

The double 7" is spectacular. Nuclear War 12, not so much.

I have to agree though, some of the best shows I've ever seen were Yo La Tengo shows. When they're on, they're on.

― mcd (mcd), Tuesday, 3 January 2006 16:56 (7 years ago) Permalink

"Having the same approach to your shows in 1992 and 2005 would be ossification." Dr Morbius (wjwe...), January 3rd, 2006.

Yea, but there are other approaches they could have taken (and could still take?) without "ossification'.

― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 3 January 2006 19:10 (7 years ago) Permalink

6 months pass...

Anyone seen them do the score to the Painleve science movies? $3 in Prospect Park tonight.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 13 July 2006 18:32 (6 years ago) Permalink

yes - it's definitely worth $3. (and the soundtrack CD is definitely worth $12.)

― rajeev (rajeev), Thursday, 13 July 2006 18:59 (6 years ago) Permalink

It may be worth it for $3. I saw them do it for $23 Tuesday night. They got a standing ovation but the only part I really got into was a rocking noise jam they played to a film on how octopi have sex. For the most part otherwise, there were interesting things happening but I had a hard time finding much of a connection between the music and the films. There were stretches where I just found the music dull, with 4/4 slowcore drums, really basic keyboard loops, and guitar effects that didn't really seem to generate that much in the way of texture. I dunno, they did lots of things that should interest me in theory - extended guitar effects, analog electronics, ambient improv, etc - but somehow it just didn't really come together the way I hoped it would. I actually felt like it distracted from the films. I had to focus on one or the other. I was really tired though. (But I did enjoy the noise I saw at SoundLab afterwards.)

xpost

― Sundar (sundar), Thursday, 13 July 2006 19:05 (6 years ago) Permalink

it was pretty good but the part were you're standing to the right of the sound booth (tower?) and these people keep yelling at you to sit down and you move over so like you're basically behind a guy that was already standing except like half of your body and they're still yelling at you so you turn around and say something like stand up motherfuckers - rock show and then when you turn around they throw maybe a cup or something like that at you and then the whole thing ends pretty much right then and you go over and demand an apology and at first they're like we don't know what you're talking about but then one of them admits to it but they're all standing up is just as bad as throwing something at someone and you disagree and then they start to make the lamest insults like you have no friends you're short and then try to run away so you follow them out and try to get a word in outside the venue and the largest one gets all in your face and is trying to be all menacing but is obv such a pussy and you tell him that he's not at all scary and then he's like i'mna get the cops and you're like what'd i do? besides demand an apology - you could've just said you were sorry instead of being such inane lameasses. you think you should be able to throw things at people with impunity. your level of bullshit entitlement is v high. when you throw something at me that's the start of a relationship then you call them eunuchs. that part was pretty sweet. the movie and all was pretty nice, but the sound was way to quiet for where i was siting way in back hence trying to catch some of it a bit closer.

― jhoshea (scoopsnoodle), Friday, 14 July 2006 12:06 (6 years ago) Permalink

i thought you were standing

― DAVE's secret to fortu-Oh look! Shiny! (dave225.3), Friday, 14 July 2006 12:11 (6 years ago) Permalink

it is true, i was standing. but so were many others. and is sitting somehow more valid than standing? especially at packed rock show!

― jhoshea (scoopsnoodle), Friday, 14 July 2006 12:14 (6 years ago) Permalink

i don't like sitting at rock shows. sitting is good for tv watching.

― DAVE's secret to fortu-Oh look! Shiny! (dave225.3), Friday, 14 July 2006 12:15 (6 years ago) Permalink

their argument was that it was a movie. it was a movie and a rock show. but really people came to see the rock band not the movie.

― jhoshea (scoopsnoodle), Friday, 14 July 2006 12:19 (6 years ago) Permalink

Was it rocky horror? you can throw things at rocky horror; but standing is also acceptable. Those guys didn't have a leg to stand on, so to speak, hah ha.

― DAVE's secret to fortu-Oh look! Shiny! (dave225.3), Friday, 14 July 2006 12:23 (6 years ago) Permalink

i should've just thrown rice at them and called it a day.

― jhoshea (scoopsnoodle), Friday, 14 July 2006 12:37 (6 years ago) Permalink

I must've been standing within 20 yards of you, jhoshea, but I was further away from the mayhem.

(also, you literally couldn't see the band whether you were standing or not. I had no qualms about standing cuz I arrived after 9, and any everyone-sits protocol was out the window by then.)

In addition to the octopi-sex score, I like the funk stuff for "Shrimp Stories."

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Friday, 14 July 2006 12:42 (6 years ago) Permalink

Skipping 245 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

nice! thx

― tylerw, Tuesday, 11 December 2012 19:48 (5 months ago) Permalink

Real Estate tonight. By far my very favorite newer band. Would have liked to be there and see those guys all jam together. The lead singer told me Yo La Tengo is his biggest influence so this must be really special for them.

― Evan, Wednesday, 12 December 2012 03:12 (5 months ago) Permalink

sweet f'n jesus:

― EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 12 December 2012 19:29 (5 months ago) Permalink

sick! love that bill million is so ocd that even on sister ray he keeps his rhythm part totally together.

― tylerw, Wednesday, 12 December 2012 19:37 (5 months ago) Permalink

totally. An anchor amongst the chaos.

― EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 12 December 2012 19:43 (5 months ago) Permalink

I, uh, ... that didn't seem that chaotic. I guess I'm just burned out on the band.

― WilliamC, Wednesday, 12 December 2012 19:58 (5 months ago) Permalink

A poor choice of wording on my part. It's more unpracticed than chaotic. But Bill is dead certain to make every change at the appropriate time while the rest do their best to just keep chugging at whatever speed they can. He keeps it from being too sloppy.

― EZ Snappin, Wednesday, 12 December 2012 20:06 (5 months ago) Permalink

False Alarm (with DW & SD)

want to hear this so bad

jarnow book only recommended if not having read the only yo la tengo book out there is gonna nag at you. some annoying errors, not a lot of insight, but you definitely get a sense of context for the early years

― da croupier, Wednesday, 12 December 2012 20:13 (5 months ago) Permalink

yeahhh, was hoping an nyc taper recording would be forthcoming of the feelie la tengo jamz. those dudes are slacking!

― tylerw, Wednesday, 12 December 2012 20:21 (5 months ago) Permalink

The book is best for examining the early NJ/NYC indie rock scene; YLT is really the frame around most of that discussion.

― Maria Tesla Pizzeria, Wednesday, 12 December 2012 20:27 (5 months ago) Permalink

yeah i almost wish it was more of an our band could be your life book with chapters on the bongos, and the dbs and shit. ylt were such passive participants, and there was so little insight into the personalities or their music (it's referenced how little ira knew about guitar at first, but we never get a real sense of when/how became mr wall of pedals) that would have been better to just be like "and then they lived matadorly ever after"

― da croupier, Wednesday, 12 December 2012 20:32 (5 months ago) Permalink

contrary to earlier rumors, it was El-P and John Oliver tonight.

― saltwater incursion (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 13 December 2012 06:58 (5 months ago) Permalink

didnt recognize many of the covers (of which there weren't a lot) aside from "I Can Hear Music"

― saltwater incursion (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 13 December 2012 16:33 (5 months ago) Permalink

https://soundcloud.com/nyctaper/19-sister-ray-vu

― tylerw, Thursday, 13 December 2012 18:35 (5 months ago) Permalink

last time i saw yo la tengo it was "no smoking by request of the artist," fuck them. had bought tickets in advance too.

― adam, Thursday, 13 December 2012 18:53 (5 months ago) Permalink

Hmmm, I used to smoke, but this bothers me not at all any more. Can't you go outside and smoke, or take a break from smoking for an hour? Not that I don't smoke, I can totally understand why non-smokers cannot stand to play in a room full of smoke. Seems more like something the venue needs to be up front about, not the musicians.

― grandavis, Thursday, 13 December 2012 18:56 (5 months ago) Permalink

Uh, that was supposed to say "Now that I don't smoke"

― grandavis, Thursday, 13 December 2012 18:56 (5 months ago) Permalink

it's been so long since i've lived in a state where you can smoke in a club.

― tylerw, Thursday, 13 December 2012 19:04 (5 months ago) Permalink

Yeah, me too. But also, at this point, if I like the musician, I am fully on board with making touring/playing shows as cool for them as possible, especially if they are not millionaires and are still out there fighting the good fight. The cards are mostly stacked against them.

― grandavis, Thursday, 13 December 2012 19:08 (5 months ago) Permalink

I don't want to breathe someone's cigarette smoke and I don't want my clothes to smell of smoke either. I was so glad when my area jurisdictions banned smoking in nightclubs.

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 13 December 2012 19:36 (5 months ago) Permalink

Yeah, I can't believe I used to smell like that all the time. And that I smoked inside, all the time (though not my own apartment/house). In restaurants, and venues, and bars. Seems really stupid in retrospect.

― grandavis, Thursday, 13 December 2012 19:39 (5 months ago) Permalink

that's cool, if i cared about that kind of shit i would move somewhere like that. however the expectation here is that if one is paying out the ass to see a bunch of old dudes play sister ray for 90 minutes one gets to drink and smoke and talk to one's friends while one does it, not stand outside like an asshole.

― adam, Thursday, 13 December 2012 20:00 (5 months ago) Permalink

Hah, sounds like exactly the wrong way to see Yo La Tengo do their thing to me. I mean, they play a ton of quiet songs, but more power to you. Everyone has their own idea of what makes a good show. I don't really have sympathy for the "I paid money damn it, so I get to do what the fuck I want" argument though. Again, I think your complaint is with the venue. Make them post when shows are non-smoking.

― grandavis, Thursday, 13 December 2012 20:13 (5 months ago) Permalink

http://www.jambands.com/news/2012/12/13/yo-la-tengo-s-hanukkah-shows-continue-with-special-guests-surprise-covers

― saltwater incursion (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 13 December 2012 21:01 (5 months ago) Permalink

Norman Blake tonight. Sorry speculative folks hoping for Keith Richards (not in this thread)!

― Evan, Sunday, 16 December 2012 01:16 (5 months ago) Permalink

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