Wilco performing "Impossible Germany" Live on KCRW

[@jefffujita9864]

My wife was diagnosed with early dementia back in 2019, but showed symptoms as early as 2015, I believe. We began our early retirement as full-timers in a travel trailer in 2014 and lived, traveled, worked, and explored across the western states until she dropped off a plateau in her dementia; it's not a gradual downward path but rather a series of plateaus. We gave up our cherished road life in the spring of 2021 and settled back down into the life we had once escaped. A few years ago I realized I was very late to the party which appreciated Wilco, but I fell in love. When I first heard this track, the realization I was about to lose most of the characteristics I loved about my wife was just kicking in - the ones that helped pushed me to realize my dream, and hers, of living outside the rat race and the time clock, and living life on our terms. There finally came a point at which I could no longer protect her from her confusion, fears, and agitations, and finally had to admit her into a memory care facility. There was a two-and-a-half month long painful learning curve over which I had to learn how to deal with her drastically changing health and also find professionals in health care to help me care for my wife. This song, both in its lyrics and instrumentals, represent the whole gamut of experience: the melancholy, confusion, stress, incredible sorrow, and ratcheting of emotion before we finally broke through to now, where the clouds have parted and she is living under wonderful care, so much so that despite not living together, we are still a loving couple and will be til the end of our days. With no larger problems that need to be erased, nothing more important than me listening to her and she listening to me. This is my song. Thank you, Wilco.

[@pattymatthews8108]

Your story is so devastatingly sad, for both of you. Dementia is awful but early onset is unforgivably horrible. May you find peace in the memories of the past and hope in being reunited with your love in the spirit realm some day. Rest in the love you two created. It is still there in your heart.

[@rlmcdo]

All my love to you, brother, be strong

[@rockmeamodeo]

Beautiful Jeff

[@billybromberg5024]

The song has majesty, sweet, but a towering, majestic presence. Beautiful like a vision, both simple and complex. I don't know how that relates to you and yours, but choosing the song as yours says something to me about you. Freedom as we know it is a human endeavour, thus it is not of this forever, yet we shall all be free. Good luck, and all the best.

[@anthonyfisher5076]

thanks for sharing..........bless you and her.

[@cabassonsebastien8485]

Wilco’s marquee moon. Incredible band.

[@sludge486]

never thought of it this way but it's totally true

[@allstarwatt7246]

👍

[@peace-hp6vh]

real

[@marcoVGpolo]

wow never thought of it that way

[@rome8180]

I enjoy how he tunes his guitar mid solo. Seriously, though, this is one of my favorite guitar solos ever. Solos should be about taking the listener on an emotional journey, not just about playing a bunch of notes as fast as possible. This is melodic soloing at its finest.

[@charlesjay7596]

I could not have said it better

[@jrgalicia-q1h]

I agree

[@scrimmerman]

Absolutely! Well said. This tune just puts me in a state of pure bliss every time I hear it, be it live or the studio recording.

[@likearollingstone007]

Luckely, you are here to enlighten us.

[@sixtobarberajordan6655]

That's what music is about. Amen

[@9UaYXxB]

Gotta show some love for the recording engineer here , this is such a fine listen

[@outboundterrain6454]

Yes indeed...

[@malcolmbliss777]

Wilco does kind of seem to “mix themselves” - I’ve heard so many awesome live recordings. It’s almost a magical collection of musicians. So jealous.

[@haivoeten]

@@malcolmbliss777 Don't be jealous, be part! ;-)

[@malcolmbliss777]

@@haivoeten Jealousy is good. It keeps me motivated.

[@haivoeten]

@@malcolmbliss777 Oh sure. I didn't want to interfere. ;-)

[@shills437]

I just heard this on the Hulu show called The Bear. I had to Shazam and find out who this is. Love it 🥰 They’re great 😌

[@rubenzamora4079]

SAME, they have really good music in the show

[@gregmontgomery9726]

Welcome to the fan club :-)

[@shills437]

@@gregmontgomery9726 Thank you! ☺️

[@jeffbruce616]

SAAAAAME

[@declanjohnston2963]

That is exactly how I got here

[@shoshannah5401]

Man I want this song playing as I fade into the afterlife

[@sofdrink]

"We need a super chill Chicago rock song to round out this episode" YES CHEF

[@chuckcabrera1032]

And the whole show.

[@dancingclair]

JEFF

[@mariamoooooo]

thank you to the bear for playing this masterpiece in episode 5 : ' )

[@smisBellaSwan]

Literally just finished that episode!

[@martynwedlake9273]

Same here! Watching The Bear and this made me really sit up. Beautiful…. How on earth did I miss Wilco😵‍💫

[@evangarcia944]

haven't seen music used so effectively to end an episode since the Sopranos

[@jasonremy8688]

​@@evangarcia944don't compare bear with that bull***.

[@Styl849]

I just watched this episode and immediately had to look this song up. It's beautiful.

[@MrLosfuegos]

Best case for Fender guitars ever.

[@thejanglesheep2408]

Ever heard of Jimi Hendrix?

[@angerysig1]

I think MrLosfueagos means that they are all playing Fenders. Not that Nels is the end all be all of Fender examples

[@slavmeister73]

Isn't it amazing how they each play different models and all bring out this incredible musicality these guitars were built for?

[@brismaclean]

Wilco hotel Arizona

[@louderthangod]

Anthony Gutierrez I think you mean “authentic” men...but then their fragile masculinity gets the best of them and time for a new headstock....and then their guitar also breaks ;)

[@runawayuniverse]

I love coming here and reading all the positive comments for Nels.

[@jpgsf1978]

runawayuniverse He listened to a lot of Tom Verlaine & Richard Lloyd.

[@erichart2093]

All deserved

[@louman235]

He's as good a guy as he is a player/musician. maybe even more so. Had a brief chat with him at a small club in Santa Monica more years ago than care to count. He was humble, and inspirational to the young musician I was. Much love!

[@closertotheheart]

Oddly enough, I discovered this solo through a metalhead I knew who generally thought "hipster guitar" was just proud ineptitude. One day, he showed me this and said without irony that it was one of the greatest guitar solos he'd ever heard.

[@BaldursPicketFence]

Every time I listen to this song I look forward to the end when the three guitars start doing their thing and it’s always heaven!

[@manganese333]

InTurtleBleeting same here!

[@lmpnchi9416]

For a very Thin Lizzyish homage, IMO; the best

[@poc3148]

@@lmpnchi9416 Yes💯

[@chrismoose64]

There are only a few songs that fall into the category of "it doesn't get any better than that" and this, in my opinion, is one of them.

[@Gabes47]

This solo brings tears to my eyes. Unbelievable

[@jmeado19]

That guitar solo will always be my happy place.

[@doekebekius1271]

WOW! Nels always kills it with the solo!

[@twinoak1706]

"I got blisters on my fingers".

[@gusmercado6704]

My favorite Wilco song!

[@justinizgd]

my favorite nels cline song!

[@Berbs73]

Mine too. It just stuck. This song just does something to me. Just like California Stars.

[@mtease9247]

Mine too ! Many are so good, but this awesome 👏!!

[@azbillbrandon]

Lovely harmony, a great example of how three guitars can work together! Very sensitive musicians!

[@TheZooropaBaby]

Brandon Azbill ....Radiohead? No?

[@dariocaporuscio8701]

Brandon Azbill listen a live recording of The River by King Gizzard and the Wizard Lizard... So good

[@cristiansanchez689]

Sky blue sky, its a great album

[@iwillnevergetone5]

here for Nels!

[@shruggzdastr8-facedclown]

Thanks (my real first name, also!)!;^}

[@conradclipper]

Saaaaaame dude. 4 years later.

[@misswinter3361]

This may be one of the most perfect songs I've ever heard.

[@when1250]

I’m 19 and funnily enough this is easily my favourite song of all time despite all the other genres I listen to

[@misswinter3361]

@when1250 My daughter is 22, and isn't familiar with most modern music. She listens to Wilco & Animal Collective.

[@shadygroves8252]

so much Marquee Moon influence. love it

[@twinoak1706]

Yeah, I can hear that.

[@anodyneforever3996]

yup- a little bit of Marquee in there. its all good.

[@jpgsf1978]

Yup. Lots of Verlaine and Lloyd soul

[@blakewhittington4336]

Nel actually put part of the Marquee moon solo in hand shake drugs he talks about it in an interview I saw

[@JasonUmbrellabird]

Apparently Jeff got some one to one with Verlaine.

[@okrajoe]

Impossible perfection, unlikely brilliance. Amazing song.

[@greenbrightly]

Nels’ jazzmaster is just beautiful, stunning guitar.

[@billbowie8772]

Neil that guitar belonged to Mike Watt of minutemen.

[@colbybrady2187]

I think I've watched this 30 times or more just in the last 24 hours.

[@fridayjuly24smmv17]

One of the best songs written and performed in the last 100 years.

[@Charles-ij1ow]

Seams like an average chill song and the view count lets me know I'm not crazy.

[@johnhennessey5]

@@Charles-ij1owview count doesn’t mean anything dumbass. Despacito has over 2 billion more view counts than this

[@cgo5161]

@@Charles-ij1owyou must think gangam style is the best song ever then😂

[@Lightningrod75]

I'm 47. Somehow I just discovered Wilco through this video in early 2022. I am so grateful. I was smothered in grunge...

[@saxonsteve]

Check out Marcus King, Blackberry Smoke,Chris Stapleton, Cody Jinks, The Heathen, Storyville, David Grissom. This should keep ya busy for a while. Keep Rockin!

[@tacobellas]

How Nels casually tuned the guitar mid solo :')

[@shadygroves8252]

was also going to comment on that haha what an unbelievably talented musician

[@Amplificator95]

4:21 if anything ;)

[@schu1324]

he also checked the tuning after he did it and worked that into the solo too HAHAHA FUCK

[@andrewptob]

Using the whammy bar will often throw off the tuning. 🙂

[@urwholefamilydied]

@@shadygroves8252 shit, I was going to comment that I actually thought it was distracting. I'm a seasoned guitarist and didn't for one second think anything sounded out of tune... then he stops mid solo to fiddle with his tuning?? Tweedy was thinking the same thing as me. LOL.

[@NathanMaharaj]

I love how Nels locks in on the riff in the upper register at the end like he wasn't in the middle of melting his pick.

[@jimmymash6863]

Nel’s guitar solo is so good! It’s a perfect example of playing lots of notes but each note still means something. It’s not just a bunch of mindless shredding. I just wish they would have turned up the volume for him a bit more. This song got me into Wilco. I’ve listened to two albums by them and I need to catch up

[@rome8180]

This. I love a melodic solo that pays attention to the chord changes and dynamics. I find most solos, even many of the famous ones, are just "look at how fast I can play the pentatonic scale." Good for you, bro.

[@James-wj8eq]

I disagree with turning up the volume, it fit perfectly

[@robrob1723]

Nils is a top 25 guitar player of all time . Living legend. Believe it

[@robertduncombe7684]

Love to my daughter Kate in Halifax for just sending me the link to this! This is one of those songs that takes you on a journey and literally amazes upon first listen and/or view. Nels Cline + '59 Jazzmaster = I going to watch this again! Thanks Kate!

[@philipheubeck]

KCRW sure know how to record live music!

[@timoraymo]

Easily one of the best guitar solos ever. Don’t say otherwise. I’m a huge guitar player fan. Haha. I’m right. It’s just raw, imaginative, has the duel part, and just is amazing.

[@theadhouse]

Nels is simply one of the very best, and certainly most creative guitarists alive

[@janmuenther]

he's my favorite living guitar player. Not only technically brilliant, but such a deep understanding of melody, feel and tone. Never fails to grip me.

[@tylermcswain9760]

Always incredible. The thing about Wilco is they all are among the best at what they do. Jeff is one of the most talented songwriters ever. Nels is IMO the GOAT. Glenn is widely regarded as one of the best living drummers. Pat and Mikal's parts are literally a perfect fit for whatever they song is. It's just really good stuff.

[@jeremyprocter1226]

That sums them up! Nice one.

[@WordsAmpersand]

You forgot John, who is (honestly) the heart of so many of the band's songs.

[@googoogachoob]

I totally agree man the best band of the last 20 yrs no doubt. You can take that to the bank.

[@abrahamkim1078]

Best drummer? Lol. Stfu.

[@THEBATMAN28AHH]

@@abrahamkim1078 maybe not the GOAT, but those off-kiltered fills on YHF are hard to argue with.

[@mattball2700]

I can't tell you how much I love this song.

[@JohnSmith-gv4mc]

Saw Wilco live last year and the whole time me and my Dad were blown away by Nels

[@DoesRwjsmom]

My parents took me to a Wilco concert when I was 3 months old. Been a fan ever since.

[@peterw.5984]

incredible version on the last tour. Nels is a guitar God of the first order.

[@ACOUSTIC_4LOVE]

Whoa- just landed on their planet!!!! Tremendous display of inter- woven tapestry!!!! I’m hooked

[@xxMrBaldyxx]

this sounds just as good as the recorded version, perhaps even better, what a performance

[@bethfowler4473]

I cry every time. Sublime guitar.

[@kyledonnelly6716]

I remember hearing this band & song for the first time in my car some years ago. Immediately you'tubed it when I got home. Now my go to song. That guitar solo by Nels is unforgettable. And Jeff's voice is perfectly fit to this tune.

[@donaldarees8161]

Thank you Wilco for this incredible song. What a solo. It just evokes so many emotions. I love you Wilco

[@paulboudreau8841]

Jeff: hey guys, I wrote this new song but I only have 2:30 worth of lyrics so it seems kinda short. Nels: hold my beer.

[@LS-mi8xj]

Ha ha ha, that cpmmrnt cracks me up :D

[@lmpnchi9416]

He is a master

[@duninstefan1074]

Brilliant comment, no idea what the song is about,however great it is

[@ManuscriptRe591]

Such a beautiful solo. This song is as close to perfection as a song can be IMO. Every instrument is perfect.

[@bkipniss7451]

I absolutely concur. Maybe I'm jaded, but I've seen way too many guitar solos turn into three minutes of string-banging gymnastics. This one is lush and absorbing.

[@splogadAlter]

One of the best solo I ever heard

[@Troy-Monroe]

I watch this specific video every 3 months or so. Just the greatest Sunday morning listen ever.

[@davesemail3151]

Here to listen again as Nels has mentioned today in his note on Dickey Betts’ passing that he was a big influence on this particular song.

[@VanirTraditionalist]

Makes me love it even more. Thank you for sharing.

[@golfjunki]

perfect example of playing for the song, and that only. Highest Caliber Musicianship

[@joeboonmusic4004]

Couldn't agree more. Something guitarists often forget. I can't stand a random interjecting solo that doesn't work with the most important thing: the song...

[@JustinMoore4Texas]

Not too many things can bring me to tears than listening to Nels Cline's guitar solo here. This was truly inspired work.

[@pikkuapuri]

Wilco has some seriously good tunes. This is one of them.

[@brndgtl]

Nels is my spirit animal

[@iongarroecxarte9564]

With all the respect of wilcos álbum. The diferencia between a wilcos álbum and an wilcos live is great, in a live favour always.

[@fridayjuly24smmv17]

the best guitar solo of the last 30 years at least.

[@bernardwalker1874]

I've known of Wilco forever and Jeff Tweedy's prior band Uncle Tupelo. There is a spirituality and grounding aspect to his music that never escapes me. Literally every single person I've ever turned on to his music gets hooked. Love it.

[@BarneyDavey]

If this were a vinyl lp or 45 it would be worn beyond repair from the number of times I've listened. The band is so tight. They have each other's backs at all times-grooving in the pocket even when Nels is playing tasty, wizardly mindblowing runs.

[@magisterdixit6944]

this track has an incredible thin lizzy feeling, love it so much

[@rickdrury3520]

Good on you for picking that!!!!

[@muzikhead-ibj]

Very cool band! And great song too!

[@themindactionconflict]

This is so good! Thank you guys!

[@tomkinsg]

i never tire of listening to this song. i hear something new every time that i do. It is absolutely magical. I would love to hear the creative process behind this masterpiece.

[@nicolesque]

this kind of perfection brings me to my knees

[@yah9983]

This song will always be special to me. It will always remind me of a specific person whom I parted with, but whenever I hear it all the memories just take over me. I get this sense of serenity and look back with gratefulness on the time we spent with one another and the emotions we felt for each other, thanks to this song. Parting always hurts but now I can look back on all the good parts knowing I shared those emotions with someone and it was beautiful while it lasted, but sometimes things just aren‘t ment to be forever and we have to continue.

[@simplysteve5149]

Wow. I cannot stop playing this. I have been playing Tedeschi Trucks Band's 'Midnight in Harlem' over and over again.......now this one is on the top of my list. Just beautiful. Do I hear a hint of John Lennon in his voice?

[@WookieLove1]

Give a listen to Clapton/Winwood live from Madison Square garden. There are some gems in that concert. Cheers

[@jayknable8398]

I love the TTB tune you referenced as well.. it's up there for sure !

[@BatmanHQYT]

This is one of the best songs I've ever listened to.

[@Oakheart]

Wilco is the effect of craft and talent blending seamlessly.

[@joelmiddaugh8229]

My favorite Wilco song by a long shot. And a guitar solo that should be bloody famous. One of the best ever.

[@stevenchampion8137]

Intricate drumming...this is bliss

[@sdm031]

I don't mess with the KZbin mechanics much, but I wish I could like this multiple times, to be honest. Can't count how many times I've come back to this recording, and I always appreciate it.

[@twinoak1706]

I saw Wilco a couple of weeks ago, and John Prine last night...two more things off my bucket list.

[@donmcallister3745]

Perfect... John Prine...IS.... an American treasure... I’ve seen him live several times... Wilco.. in a small place.. once...just an INCREDIBLE... band... so casual.. But... playing like their lives... depended... on THAT... nights show...love this band...such great music... Thanks.. Wilco... for such great tunes...Peace... DM

[@davidellis5141]

RIP John Prine.

[@cathsalazar9930]

Damn that guitarist is f in incredible damn!!! Totally all of em rocked it out of the world!.... love love loved it!.... lol 👍🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️☮️💯💋🎶🎵🧨

[@sejuyz]

Man, this guy KILLED IT in the guitar solo. Amazing composition.

[@leonardomariles]

How do you define a perfect song! Impossible Germany by Wilco

[@nguyendown4983]

4 năm rồi nghe vẫn như ngày đầu

[@flame2me]

Absolutely sublime ... just wonderful!

[@carriecollins4542]

Oh I don't know why it just rips my soul in two then sews it back together. Thank you.

[@PesteNegro]

It's their best song, hands down. 5 minutes after and I'm still shivering lol

[@eleonoradini2371]

I saw Wilco yesterday evening in a beautiful place in Italy, San Mauro Pascoli, a small town in the region Emilia Romagna. What a show! I remember seeing Wilco in 1999 in Bologna and they are really improved!

[@steeler63]

Great song which highlights Nels awesome guitar playing.

[@andywalnuts8342]

damn, just can't get enough of this brilliant effing song! love it

[@MarquisDeSade415]

Loved this song when it came out, but I lost it from my library and never remember the name of the song in the last 2 years but as I lay down at almost 1:00 am in my bed the feeling and distant memory of this song struck my little heart and my brain did not let me forget. After an hour looking for the song the name of the band came back to me.

[@alanc6576]

For some reason when I saw this played live (in the same way) I decided it is the greatest song of all time!

[@Ben_Mdws]

To the team who recorded and mixed this - great work

[@gilbertspader7974]

When you use the tremolo allot on a Fender the higher strings hang in the nut causing it go out of tune . Of course if you can tune mid solo no problem.

[@jerryoates5690]

Jeff rocking the Ghost shirt I love it

[@aldohanel4884]

Hahaha I know this song goes all over Nels' solo but damn, first thing I noticed

[@anitaandersen5340]

Dude, my boyfriend likes that shitty ass band! But now he likes Wilco too so I guess it's a win win.

[@Vingul]

@@anitaandersen5340 yeah Ghost is really crap.

[@demo081]

This song is just so perfect

[@lmnopgr]

okay, this, too: that backdrop, with these insanely talented folks in the foreground. love. it.

[@trroland1248]

Wow, just wow! That tangent Nels Cline goes off on! Bravo.

[@S_Hyde]

That solo was freaking mesmerizing,

[@dbswir]

perfect...best guitar solo i've heard..this band is as tight as it gets..reminds me of Beatle type chemistry...amazing..really amazing

[@gemmabrandy5207]

Aw, that was beautiful

[@davidoneill4379]

Proper musicians, absolutely amazing song, nels looks like my friend from school, noel kealy how are you, remember those nights in your father's garage, if only we learned those instruments properly, we had the lyrics ha ha ha, makes me smile

[@livemusicisbetter2]

I heard the album version of this for the first time 2 weeks ago (i always meant to get around to Wilco someday, the day finally came). Now i have listened to this and every other live version i can find at least 100 times since then. I think this is one of the best.

[@bobratcliffe3599]

Right up there with the greatest guitar interplays I've ever heard and I've heard a bunch! Bravo!!

[@tsopuaifa]

This is so close to perfection... and thank God for Stereo.

[@kathihanna6226]

This song is so beautiful that it always makes me cry. Every time.

[@Mizzbeef]

Madly in love with this song

[@connorkelly5792]

Its such a tight song! They're always together its amazing. This is why all other bands should kiss the boots of every member of wilco. Tweedy is my main inspiration.

[@fromaugustisland]

My name is also Conor Kelly and I also love Wilco!

[@jeremyfarrell5723]

I did not think this song could get any better...but then I noticed Maynard James Keenan on the keys and there you go!

[@wasabyMICH]

this song is EVERYTHING

[@Pancho308]

Never gets old...love these guys since they started. Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt

[@carolynalter5726]

Truly beautiful song.