Yo La Tengo live

Last time I saw them --- on their sit-down, chill-out tour for And Then Nothing. . . --- there was a palpable and sort of disappointing absence of noise. Ira played one of his incredible drunken-swerving solos for "Stockholm Syndrome," got the biggest crowd reaction of the night, and then . . . nothing. Obviously I don't mean to criticize, as the stated point of the tour was to concentrate on the other side of their sound, but . . . it was just odd to watch a guitar player deliberately holding back the abilities that would impress listeners most obviously. I suppose that's pretty admirable, when you think about it . . .

the big difference lately has been where the jams come in: the songs used to start normally and then deconstruct into a jam; now, the jams start as a lot of unrelated noodeling that (eventually) coheres into a song. it can be rewarding to listen to, but takes a lot of patience -- and they don't always pull it off.

For some reason, I always have a better time at YLT if I'm sitting down. Having seen them in the two theatres at the Royal Festival Hall, (one time with Sonic Boom along for the ride...) I thought they were one of the best bands I'd ever seen in my life- adventurous, chaotic, spontaneous, yet tightly controlled and disciplined. Amazing shows.

And then I saw then a few months ago, at an overcrowded, poorly sounded show in Shepherds Bush, and I thought they were one of the worst bands I'd ever seen in my life, their solos interminable and their free jazz intolerable.

So, it really can vary, depending on both the band, and the state in which you see them (mentally, not as in US)

Sonic Youth at ATP2000 has gone down in the dictionary as The Worst Show Ever Performed By A Rock Band. No, really, look it up, there's a little picture of Kim and her trumpet.

I'm afraid I can't live with Nitsuh's ref to 'abilities'. My feeling was, here's an average rock guitar player - come to think of it, a BAD rock guitar player, by the standards of most professional-type axe-workers - and he's going to prove it ad nauseam.

When I go to a concert I want more than there is on the record. I want that the band play a set just for me, something unique, which will never be reproduced. That is also the reason why I love improvisations. And YLT and SY do exactly that. They make me feel that I am part of the show. They make human music, MBV does not. And live shows are not about perfection. Especially the imperfect bits, the false tones, the unplanned things make the charm of a live show.

@Josh: You should go and see them. You have missed something.

Keithkey is spot-on. And comparing that YLT geezer to Hendrix seems to me a serious critical misjudgement - like comparing, um, Simon Armitage to Wyndham Lewis or something. No, worse than that.

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.

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.

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. ;-)

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.

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.

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.

@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.

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.

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.

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?

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

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.

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

'Fun' reading above.

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.

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

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.

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.

definitely a vicarious pleasure to see the setlists / special guests every morning. I flew out for the Feelies last month so my live music budget was blown, but I'll make it out ... someday? Who knows how long they'll do this, seems like a lot of work!

Agreed, I hope long enough for me to attend some day! Helps that they seem to really enjoy doing this.

I totally get why they want to keep these as a special event, but I do wish they'd relent on the "no tapers" stance, or at least release some of these somehow.

I didn't make it to that Jersey City Feelies show but as a local I've been spoiled with many Feelies or Feelies-adjacent shows over the years.

the feelies / willies show was magical, so glad I finally bit the bullet and went out there.

there are tapes of the Hanukkah shows, they're just supposed to be kept on the down-low amongst fans, not shared around publicly. if you need a link, hit me at tywilc at gmail.com

night 3 w/ Burnt Sugar opening looked great . A Bobby Blue Bland cover by YLT and special guests

http://www.jessejarnow.com/category/ylt/

Ryan Sawyer on drums, Lee Ranaldo on guitar/bells, Bill Nace on taishōgoto for whole set except as indicated.

o_O

haha yeah, pretty amazing

man that sounds awesome, i saw bill nace solo ripping on that taishōgoto over the summer and it was fucking nuts, so cool

calvin trillin (who just turned 87!) read at last night’s show, ira seemed totally starstruck

Dawn Richard did the mixtape one of the nights ( on same label as YLT)

Some year I will go to NY and see Yo La Tengo on one of the 8 nights of Hanukkah shows, but they always sell out quickly before I realize it

Yeah, a YLT Hanukkah show is definitely on my bucket list. But, as you mention, getting tickets is one thing, but the bigger obstacle is the cost of getting to NY (well, close enuff) and a place to stay.

i just discovered there is a band called Yo No La Tengo :)

lol

I almost was in NYC while the shows were going on and briefly looked into a ticket, but the secondary market prices were higher than airfare!

I guess I was really lucky to get into the one I saw. Amusingly the guest was Jeff Tweedy, who I've seen multiple times back in Illinois.

that new live-in-the-studio YLT Ep is fantastic — great sound overall ... https://yolatengo.bandcamp.com/album/the-bunker-sessions

seeing them out here in a couple months, can't wait, it's been wayyyyyy too long.

Got back into these guys hard this year. Saw them on the most recent tour for the first time since Summer Sun and now I regret the two decades of not making an effort. Just incredible live.

Yeah, I honestly never stopped liking them, but didn't expect to go into another full-on fan binge like I did this year. Saw them both times they swung through Chicago, making up for the long gap since I'd last caught 'em.

I know I posted about it on another YLT thread, but their show I saw in March was just fantastic. I'd seen them before and liked them for years, but I was really pretty blown away. I'm sure it partly is a matter of circling back around to them, but also I think at least as a live band they just get better and better.

It helps that I also really like the album they were touring on, will definitely be on my year-end list.

Thanks for the heads-up re: the Bunker session--sounds great! Was likewise really impressed by the Big Thief Bunker session recorded in 2019/released in 2021...

Yesterday I got an email saying I had tickets to the first night of Hannukah. I thought maybe my wife bought them? I ask her, she says no. Then we collectively remembered that back in june a friend emailed saying the first night was her birthday and would anyone want to come, so I got tickets. And forgot about it. So now, what a nice surprise. I would consider myself a fan, but haven't seen them in over a decade, nor heard the last few records very much, so I'm excited. They're the real deal.

New album is great. Got a song about doing yo yo tricks.

ian that is so great!!! xp

I have also really gotten into them (again) with the new album, they are just firing on all cylinders it seems

http://www.jessejarnow.com/category/ylt/

Lots of great covers and guests and opening acts during the Chanukah shows

feelies night pretty much put me in a FOMO coma

(with Ira on saxophone)

Ira the K is known to occasionally break out the horn (usually during WFMU fundraisers, I think)

Is like when Lætitia Sadier or Polly Harvey or Sting "plays" the horn?

i mean he probably shouldn't quit his dayjob, but here he is sitting in with 75 Dollar Bill

https://territorialimperatives.files.wordpress.com/2019/08/75-ira-kaplan-on-alto.jpg?w=848

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fSOxehYEpw

"i heard you looking" with lambchop is wonderful

Man, the FOMO is strong always. Hitting up one of these shows is on my bucket list.

Do they still discourage taping of these shows?

i don't think they discourage taping, they discourage public posting of the tapes on the internet

Ah, yeah, that's right..

My wife scored tickets and we are doing NY and went last night. Aislers Set opened. Then David Cross dressed as Ira’s rabbi. Plus Cowsill guy and Vicki Petersen and Ira’s Mom
DJ Todd from wfmu after
A fun night.

Being there for Hanukkah show one can see Ira racing back and forth from guitars to keyboard and a roadie quickly putting out music stands . Georgia messed up one opening and then signaled a time out with her hands , said we’re a bit fried but I got this and then started up the song perfectly.

Ira was profusely thanking their small crew , the club employees and the band’s guests during the evening.

Seeing Ira’s Mom sing lead on “My Little Corner of the World “, cane in hand at end was so sweet.

Aislers Set would have been very cool. What a gift these shows are.

Aislers Set did their first gig in 8 years ( and practiced twice to prepare for gig. ) . Ira said they had toured with YLT 20 years ago. It was a good set

I remember that tour and am slightly dazed to realize it was 20 years ago.

Aislers played my buddy's party on Saturday, but try as I did to make it out there it was just not in the cards.

I am glad to hear. I love those records but have never seen them live (Aislers Set, I have seen Yo La Tengo many times). Maybe they will get the bug and play again.

I only saw Aislers Set once and it was also 20 years ago but not supporting YLT, they were headlining. I think Comet Gain and the Would-Be-Goods were supporting them. Yes, it was, and the Lucksmiths