Wilco - California Stars (Live on KEXP)

KEXP.ORG presents Wilco performing "California Stars" live at the Columbia City Theater. Recorded on August 10, 2015.
Host: Kevin Cole
Audio Engineer: Jackson Long
Assistant Engineer: Gary Mula
Cameras: Shelly Corbett, Luke Knecht, Christopher Meister & Christopher Somerville
Editor: Luke Knecht
kexp.org

[@koa2341]

Thank you Woodie Guthrie , the father of American folk music, for these lyrics he wrote in about 1938, while visiting Long Beach

[@jacqdaniels9093]

Thanks for the comment. Just heard it on soundstage 5 minutes ago, was tryna find it with no name, he did mention woodie Guthrie.

[@RataStuey]

Is this a cover?

[@koa2341]

@@RataStuey - It depends on your theory. Woodie wrote the lyrics in ‘38 and Wilco put it to music in their album, Melrose Ave with help from his daughter

[@ewanatkinson5506]

@@koa2341 and don't forget Billy Bragg

[@ToolTalkCanada]

@@koa2341 The album is Mermaid Avenue by Billy Bragg and Wilco.

[@James-ke4gq]

Honestly the mess up makes it even better. What a time to be there in that crowd, human and watching Wilco. ❤️

[@huckruppee]

Hope I hear this song just before my final resting place and time.

[@osamabinbootyhole3526]

You will, friend.

[@choosky]

I love this song!!! This song is a natural anti-depressant!!!

[@michaelflanagan5450]

Oh you love true Americana WILCO & BILLY BRAGG

[@swinehorde9118]

What consummate professionals! Jeff called it out, made light of it like an elite Front Man. Pat and Nels just absorbed that misstep and turned this into my favourite version of this song. Glenn and Mikael didn't even flinch. They gave us an extra verse, basically. John's recovery was a a schooling in the art of showmanship.

[@Kitandrox]

Mine as well!!

[@mooh83]

This is the best version ever! Absolutely

[@heyklackey]

I just know I'll never hear this song with dry eyes ever again. Yesterday it came on my shuffle as I was crossing a bridge on the last leg of a trip to the beach with my wife, my son, my dog (and hopefully nobody I know sees this cuz it's still a secret, but we also have an extra passenger in my wife's tummy!) and that thing happened where the movement of the water made it almost feel like I was driving backwards for a second. And I just thought some force was pushing me back so I could just stay there in that perfect moment for longer. I swear the song was at least 15 minutes long!

[@kathyliska2805]

Wow! Love!

[@goffdroid]

3:00-3:15 . They get back on track. That banjo and drummer went for it.

[@marcatkinson5187]

They're so good, I didn't even notice.

[@fnaright]

EPIC!! That was incredible

[@johnchandler8967]

Wow! What a great version! I love that they goof in the middle and laugh it off. Why can't we all do that, in just about every walk of life?

[@arleneshanley9889]

This is seriously hard to learn. I mess up the lyrics all the time!

[@stephenviesti5066]

The way the banjo stepped into it to make that flub even more enjoyable...gives it a human touch.

[@paulcockerill4260]

@@arleneshanley9889 the song is quite simple to learn on guitar though.

[@jacqdaniels9093]

Cause most people suck. Feel the need to be the impossible perfect. Many have no clue how to be humble.

[@timothylewis2450]

@@stephenviesti5066 Pat was like “ I got this” 😊

[@jumpysan2663]

I love Wilco! I love this song! I love this version!

[@gregoryjeffers3600]

Lap steel solo AND banjo solo in one song, not sure I've seen that done before ... Best version of California Staars I've ever heard!

[@kennethfaught8754]

This. Band. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@jarrydbeard]

Awesome performance -- plus banjo save ftw!

[@timothylewis2450]

Pat said “ I got this “.. 😀

[@stevekoller2596]

Putting the team on his back at 2:55.

[@choosky]

Steven Koll

[@thegreatsalaam]

i got this. take some nasty and pull it together!

[@jamesytheblue]

This song is just perfect.

[@missmelisa1823]

Why does this not have more likes? It's Amazing

[@PauloHenrique-fc3jx]

This is the lyrics: "I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight On a bed of California stars I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight On a bed of California stars I'd love to feel your hand touching mine And tell me why I must keep working on Yes, I'd give my life to lay my head tonight On a bed of California stars I'd like to dream my troubles all away On a bed of California stars Jump up from my starbed and make another day Underneath my California stars They hang like grapes on vines that shine And warm the lovers glass like friendly wine So, I'd give this world just to dream a dream with you On our bed of California stars I'd like to rest my heavy head tonight On a bed of California stars I'd like to lay my weary bones tonight On a bed of California stars I'd love to feel your hand touching mine And tell me why I must keep working on Yes, I'd give my life to lay my head tonight On a bed of California stars I'd like to dream my troubles all away On a bed of California stars Jump up from my starbed and make another day Underneath my California stars They hang like grapes on vines that shine And warm the lovers glass like friendly wine So, I'd give this world just to dream a dream with you On our bed of California stars"

[@steviebunch8854]

Awesome 💖

[@kalinnikolov3876]

Such a great song...such lovely lirics... Thank you Woodie...

[@mattsmith306]

this is the most important song in the world

[@dlm425]

This is music, this is god given musical talent

[@koa2341]

Really nice banjo work

[@christeevan]

The best live version I've seen of this gorgeous Woody Guthrie tune -

[@dejordyball]

Tune actually by Billy Bragg/Wilco. Guthrie's words.

[@michele21auntiem]

Check out the live version with Jason Isbill.

[@benjaminmatte5225]

Damn good, what a great tune

[@petersaurine1906]

Great version of a great song.

[@bluedream8707]

the king of california!!

[@ciropellegrino]

simply wonderful

[@CindyVinderwishVonderwish]

love wilco love this song!

[@CindyVinderwishVonderwish]

I love this song!!!!!

[@elchiponr1]

Missed these guys at a festival in belgium, like ten years ago, and to be honest I don't regret it at all. Because I didn't know this beautiful song then...

[@natalieclubine7804]

He performed this solo July 2023 live at The Steifel as his “oncore…so pleasantly surprised

[@montsegarcia2902]

Vaya lujo...... impresionante

[@barrysullivan39]

U can see in their faces the joy their having playing.the last 2 years I've seen them at Pritzker n Chicago Theater. N Riviera.Different show every time.The only ones playing live. ,Besides Wilco,who made my. Hair on my neck stick up were early police,early U2,Garbage,Luscious Jackson,Ministry,R.E.M. ,Pixies ,N Sonic Youth.

[@jimmyhigham9146]

love it

[@RudolfGetel]

Beautiful.

[@olddirtytattooedwarhorse7772]

that banjo solo really pops! edit: so does the Dobro... and the harmonica... i'm learning to play guitar and working on this as my first song... normally i listen to the album version, but i found this one and YT keeps throwing it back to me... the more i listen to it the more i REALLY LISTEN to it and the more it grows on me... it's a great live rendition, even with them flubbing the lyrics, i mean, it's live, you let it slide, right? especially when it's this well put together...

[@dawnrosalind9058]

This has become my FAVORITE to chillax with........

[@steviebunch8854]

Love this.....oh man ...

[@steviebunch8854]

Awesome 💖

[@andrewholmes3116]

1:51 the real MVP

[@chandrashekhermishra5847]

Such a beautiful song written by woodie

[@jimmyhigham9146]

is this good r what,from the uk love it

[@bamadave83]

Lyric flub and all this is probably my favorite version

[@Abacadabra1974]

luke perry on guitar.

[@MhandBoutrih]

❤❤❤❤

[@anefernandezdearroiabe4835]

🎉

[@userer4579]

saved by the banjo

[@arleneshanley9889]

OK, so it isn't just me that messed up the lyrics to this song! 😂 💕

[@charlieedwards9103]

cant believe there are so few views :(

[@bamadave83]

It's a f'n shame

[@badmoonrison3777]

Possibly because there are so many live versions of the song by them but this is my favorite right ahead of the version that Jason Isbell was on guitar. The mess up makes this version so special

[@mitchkenvin259]

Is the guy playing the acoustic 12, playing the same chords as Tweety?

[@joejohnson273]

Yes, but the capo’s are in different places so the chord shapes are different which gives the song a little more texture

[@Misszumicat]

I LOVE THIS! does anyone know what key they are playing in?

[@TheTennesseeYankee]

I think it is the Key of A - capo on the second fret. Without a capo the chords are A, E and D. With the capo the chord shapes are G, D and C

[@jasonedenilson]

how do they not get feedback from playing acoustically with those condensors?

[@jsmaack]

Jason Edenilson cause they’re wilco

[@felipenain6017]

Came here for the song, stayed for Pat Sansone.

[@user-hf8ie8mf3n]

Pretty sweet, especially with the slight goof. Wish I could mess up that well. 👍🤪🏳️‍🌈

[@stratenec]

love it