RIP JAY

Well, a lot has been written already. Bar Clock, Postcard, and a lot of music lovers in general are saddened by the tragic loss of Jay Bennett at only 45 years of age. A couple of quick memories:

Bennett went on at length (some might say defensively) about how Wilco's popularity and size never felt right to him - and he proved this by hitting the road with Edward Burch in a beat up Toyota. And you could tell he relished jumping on stage and playing in a small room. When I moved to Chicago in 1998, I made a beeline to Lounge Axe and Schuba's and Martyrs' and all the other smaller clubs in town. And more often than not, you could figure it out which touring musician or act might end up having a mini-Wilco concert break out. Tim Easton? Check. Autumn Defense? Check. Tweedy playing solo at Liunge Axe or the Abbey Pub? Check. And there was Bennett in the middle of it all, with a shit-eating grin and his unkempt locks flowing about, loving every minute of it.

January 2000 - The Minus 5 / Wilco show as we said goodbye to the club - Bennett was in his element, bouncing from one instrument to the next, and inserting bits and pieces of Abbey Road as Jeff talked about the closing of the club.

December 2000 - Bennett gathers a bunch of friends - including Nora O'Connor, Andrew Bird, and Leroy Bach (who stole the show that night) and puts on a 5 hour show at Martyrs'. Bennett was the worst of the bunch - debuting many songs for the first time, sounding like a clone of Elvis Costello and really struggling in a very public forum - but that's what Jay did. He tinkered with songs in a way that went too far and ruined some great versions and he clearly drove a lot of people insane - fans and bandmates alike - but he also created a number of gems that will always bring a smile to my face.

Check out all the Bennettisms on display in this snippet from I Am Trying To Break Your Heart regarding the evolution of Poor Places - cigarette dangling, details about sound and noise and sonic landscapes and gear and microphones, and an enthusiasm that was always apparent.

'We were either going to get something great or lose our fucking minds..."



Finally, here's the July 24, 1999 set from Jay and Jeff (Jesus! Almost a decade ago) at the second annual Chicago Roots and Folks Festival - sponsored by the Old Town School of Music (where John Prine was discovered by Kris Kristofferson), although the school has since moved from Old Town and now resides in Finnegan's stomping grounds in Lincoln Village. A lovely acoustic set where Tweedy commented on the increasing rowdiness of the crowd (Steve Earle was the headliner that night) and Bennett, the mad professor as always, was bouncing around the stage even in this quiet setting. I was there right up front and loved every minute of it. Thanks to Chris "K-Fly" Campbell and his weeklong salute to Jay for posting this show.

7-24-99 Setlist:
James Alley Blues
She's a Jar
New Madrid
Blood of the Lamb
Willow Garden
Auld Triangle
Another Man's Done Gone
Hesitating Beauty
Via Chicago
Sugar Baby
I Got You
Forget the Flowers
I'm Always In Love
The Lonely 1
Summerteeth
True Love Will Find You
Casino Queen
California Stars
Hoodoo Voodoo

Download 7-24-99 here

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