Show #180: R.I.P. Jay Bennett

May 28th, 2009

A few days ago former Wilco multi-instrumentalist Jay Bennett was found dead. He was 45.

I am unfamiliar with his solo albums (he was in the midst of recording his 5th, Kicking at the Perfumed Air when he died) and all the obits I’ve read focus on his role as Jeff Tweedy’s foil in Wilco. And so, with this in mind, I’ve chosen a show that features the band’s former main creative forces alone.

This recording is Jay Bennett and Jeff Tweedy together at the Old Town School Of Folk Music Festival in Chicago. The date was 25 July 1999. It’s a really nice soundboard recording.

Setlist:

James Alley Blues
She’s A Jar
New Madrid
Blood of the Lamb
Down in the 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
Pecan Pie
True Love Will Find You In The End
Casino Queen
California Stars
Hoodoo Voodoo

Download show

Jay Bennett

Here’s “James Alley Blues” recorded for the Austin Music Network in August 1999.

Related posts:

1. Show #28 – Wilco
2. In Class With Steve Earle
3. Show #97: Wilco in Madison '06
4. Show #74 – Uncle Tupelo's Farewell
5. Show 3: Pissed Off