Lookout Mama!

Neil and Wilco and Co. at the Halifax Metro Centre last night - as viewed and heard from side stage, lower bowl, by myself and three equally tipsy friends - I would give a solid 8 out of 10. Keeping this from a 10: (i) three questionable new songs about two-thirds of the way through the show, and (ii) it wasn't Crazy Horse, and as a result, not quite as deafeningly awesome as the 1996 show I seen. BUT, it was awesome nonetheless - he played Cortez The Killer (!), which was by far the highlight for me. And Cowgirl In The Sand. Hey Hey My My. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere. Etc (see Chronicle Herald story). I stomped and swayed and sang to every song I knew, while Neil swayed and stomped and slumped and shook his famous black guitar, producing deafening solos and thunderous, crunchy, seat shaking pedal effects. I, without hyperbole, could listen to this for days.

Also notable:
- full band versions of Heart Of Gold and Old Man - banjo and all (also - loudest reception for the surprise appearance of a banjo played by a grizzled guitar tech ever);
- the genuine look of surprise and excitement in the general admission floor sections when Neil suddenly launched into Powderfinger, "Lookout Mama!";
- some random mysterious dude behind the drummer, painting on a canvas through every song;
- did I mention Cortez The Killer?;
- awesome sing-alongs Oh, Lonesome Me and Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (la la laa, la la la laaa);
- the encore closer A Day In The Life - expected, but still pretty special...

Highlights from the Wilco set - definitely Handshake Drugs and Via Chicago, and any time their guitarist launched into a solo (see above, and Impossible Germany). It was a good night from the get-go.

Advice for those who may be checking out the show later on the tour - I recommend viewing on 4-5 drinks, which for me was just enough to loosen up my legs and tongue, and likely annoy everyone within earshot with long run-on stories that don't go anywhere, and jokes that are probably only funny to me...