i mentioned in my last post that mark knopfler was an artist that i track pretty carefully. another person i follow closely is jeff tweedy. as such, it was pretty much a no brainer to pick up his new autobiography when i saw it come out a few weeks back. i can’t remember exactly where i first picked up on his work. it was either in the later stages of the uncle tupelo era, or his first album or two of wilco. regardless, i am pretty sure i have everything he has ever released and have seen him live a few times. after reading this, i have a more profound and informed view of his artistry. it also shed a light on him as a human being.

it is a dry witted and honest examination of both his personal life and musical career, and it is so well written and engaging that i think even the most casual fan will enjoy it. it starts in his early childhood, and then winds its way through his introduction to jay farrar in high school, the eventual success and then breakup of uncle tupelo, and then his long career with his band wilco. he also spends time on his wife and family, and how he and his sons became a side project (‘tweedy’) and went on their own tour. he says in the introduction to the book that he would not be discussing anything regarding his prescription drug issues, then in the next paragraph jokingly says that of course he would tell all about it. and he does, in quite some detail. by the way, if you are waffling on whether this book is for you, and you see it in a bookstore (it just debuted at number 6 on the nyt bestsellers list), just open it up and read his introduction. one of the best i have ever read. very funny.

serious tupelo/wilco fans will be able to round out their knowledge of the bands’ work – the amazing amount of punk rock jay and jeff listened to as teenagers, the creative  process of jeff’s songwriting, why he likes old guitar strings, the revolving door of wilco members in the early years, and much, much more. all told in an honest and jovial fashion, making it difficult to put down. in fact, i am reading it again as we speak. a good stocking stuffer for your holiday reading list.

on top of that, he just released his first solo album of entirely original material, ‘warm’, last friday. stay tuned.