In Nov. 2020, Wilco musician Jeff Tweedy released his fourth solo album Love Is The King. On Dec. 10 of this year, though, the artist is releasing a deluxe edition of the album with live versions of its tracks and a new cover of “The Old Country Waltz” by Neil Young. The collection of live songs is aptly called Live Is The King.
According to an article in Consequence, on this album, Tweedy is joined by a band of his sons, Sammy and Spencer Tweedy, and Liam Kazar, James Elkington and Sima Cunningham from indie rock duo Ohmme. Accompanying this album release, Tweedy, the full band and Macie Stewart are going on a winter tour in Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
This announcement follows the musician’s recent release of two new songs — “Cmon America” and “UR-60 Unsent” — as well as series of covers throughout the year, such as his version of the Ted Lasso theme song and Japanese Breakfast’s “Kokomo, IN.” This newest cover, however, feels particularly raw.
Tweedy’s cover of “The Old Country Waltz” stays true to the original: by keeping warm harmonies and country music’s signature steel guitar, this song about heartbreak still feels inviting and authentic. It is particularly interesting how the music occasionally reverbs from outside the house-turned-bar in which they play, which instantly places the listener to summer nights sitting outside listening to cicadas and the muffled songs — it shifts the focus from the work of the band to the experience of the audience. And perhaps by releasing live versions of each track, the artist is hoping to enhance the experience for each and every listener.
Love Is the King/Live Is The King Tracklist:
L0ve Is the King:
01. Love Is The King
02. Opaline
03. A Robin or A Wren
04. Gwendolyn
05. Bad Day Lately
06. Even I Can See
07. Natural Disaster
08. Save It For Me
09. Guess Again
10. Troubled
11. Half-Asleep
Live Is the King:
01. Love Is The King (Live)
02. Opaline (Live)
03. A Robin or A Wren (Live)
04. Gwendolyn (Live)
05. Bad Day Lately (Live)
06. Even I Can See (Live)
07. Natural Disaster (Live)
08. Save It For Me (Live)
09. Guess Again (Live)
10. Troubled (Live)
11. Half-Asleep (Live)
12. The Old Country Waltz (Live)
Jeff Tweedy 2021-2022 Tour Dates:
12/22 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
12/22 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
12/28 – Los Angeles, CA @ Largo *
12/29 – Los Angeles, CA @ Largo *
12/30 – Los Angeles, CA @ Largo *
01/01 – Los Angeles, CA @ Largo
01/02 – Los Angeles, CA @ Largo
01/05 – San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore
01/06 – San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore
* = Jeff Tweedy solo
Photo Credit: Alyssa Fried
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