Any love for John Stirratt of Wilco?

[thebbconspiracy]

I think he's a great bassist, and extremely tasteful. He kind of reminds me of Rick Danko in a way. What do you guys think of him?

[Marial]

He's fantastic.

[MICKUSS]

Definitely one of my favourite bassists. He's really good at getting different bass sounds to suit a specific song. WILCO is one of the best live bands out there right now for sure!

[White Beard]

This is by no means a back handed complement or a slight to Stirratt, I mean this in all sincerety, because it's a skill that not a lot of people really appreciate: The dude knows how to keep a job. No one else in Wilco (except Tweedy) was around in the AM days. Not only that, but he was also in Uncle Tupelo's last touring line up. He knows that Jeff Tweedy's the boss and he just needs to shut up and do what he's told, and I'm sure he gets well paid for it. If he's got a song idea, that's why he's got Blue Mountain (or whatever his band's called). Jeff Tweedy's laid a path a carnage behind him of ex-band members, and John Stirratt is the only one that's got the skill to have a lengthy career with Wilco.

[patzilla83]

great bassist.

[Kawai-chang]

Originally Posted by White Beard

This is by no means a back handed complement or a slight to Stirratt, I mean this in all sincerety, because it's a skill that not a lot of people really appreciate: The dude knows how to keep a job. No one else in Wilco (except Tweedy) was around in the AM days. Not only that, but he was also in Uncle Tupelo's last touring line up. He knows that Jeff Tweedy's the boss and he just needs to shut up and do what he's told, and I'm sure he gets well paid for it. If he's got a song idea, that's why he's got Blue Mountain (or whatever his band's called). Jeff Tweedy's laid a path a carnage behind him of ex-band members, and John Stirratt is the only one that's got the skill to have a lengthy career with Wilco.

Maybe one day after Tweedy made some comments about getting another bass player, Stirrat stepped up and slapped him around and said "Try it."

It could have happened.

[Johnpjm]

He was one of the main reasons I started listening to Wilco. One of my bass playing pals said "Check this out!" and I've been a fan since!

I forget what song he played me, but there was a great bassline in it...

[alembicguy]

John has a fantastic live tone and the ability to provide the song the right groove and feel while drawing minimum attention to himself. Top notch player.

[thebbconspiracy]

Originally Posted by White Beard

This is by no means a back handed complement or a slight to Stirratt, I mean this in all sincerety, because it's a skill that not a lot of people really appreciate: The dude knows how to keep a job. No one else in Wilco (except Tweedy) was around in the AM days. Not only that, but he was also in Uncle Tupelo's last touring line up. He knows that Jeff Tweedy's the boss and he just needs to shut up and do what he's told, and I'm sure he gets well paid for it. If he's got a song idea, that's why he's got Blue Mountain (or whatever his band's called). Jeff Tweedy's laid a path a carnage behind him of ex-band members, and John Stirratt is the only one that's got the skill to have a lengthy career with Wilco.

I can believe that! I read in an interview with Jay Bennett that Jeff was thinking about replacing John because he was getting upset that he wasn't getting any songs in. I know when Wilco first started, Stirratt had the intentions of being a second songwriter, and we all know how that ended. I love Tweedy though. I really think this lineup is the best one so far. Whole Love was great, IMO. Nels Cline really added a lot to the band after Bennett was fired.

[ShoeManiac]

I've actually heard Jeff Tweedy say that John Stirratt was (along with himself) essential to the Wilco sound. And that without Stirratt the band really couldn't go on. Interesting to hear something like that in light of the personnel changes over the years.

I think that Stirratt & Tweedy have that kind of working relationship, where John has an innate sense of what works for the songs. There have been partnerships like that before, but its kind of cool to recognize it while that partnership is still working on writing new songs & making records.

[levonrocks]

I just heard a Wilco song on a college radio station yesterday. It was like ten minutes long, and it was awesome. I said to myself, "self, I need to listen to this band." And now, as I read this forum, I am again reminded that I should listen to the band Wilco.

[levonrocks]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZAKTCeE70Y The bass tone is fantastic on this "tiny desk concert" he gets a real nice palm mute sound.

[MICKUSS]

Originally Posted by ShoeManiac

I've actually heard Jeff Tweedy say that John Stirratt was (along with himself) essential to the Wilco sound. And that without Stirratt the band really couldn't go on. Interesting to hear something like that in light of the personnel changes over the years.

I think that Stirratt & Tweedy have that kind of working relationship, where John has an innate sense of what works for the songs. There have been partnerships like that before, but its kind of cool to recognize it while that partnership is still working on writing new songs & making records.

Yes, Tweedy says this in the Ashes of American Flags DVD where they're all talking about each other.

[kai_ski]

Originally Posted by levonrocks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZAKTCeE70Y The bass tone is fantastic on this "tiny desk concert" he gets a real nice palm mute sound.

Cool early performance of War on War.

Originally Posted by ShoeManiac

I've actually heard Jeff Tweedy say that John Stirratt was (along with himself) essential to the Wilco sound. And that without Stirratt the band really couldn't go on. Interesting to hear something like that in light of the personnel changes over the years.

I think that Stirratt & Tweedy have that kind of working relationship, where John has an innate sense of what works for the songs. There have been partnerships like that before, but its kind of cool to recognize it while that partnership is still working on writing new songs & making records.

I think that example gets brought up all the time, but pretty much every interview I've seen with Stirrat compliments his longevity in the band. And most of the time, he just says that he and Tweedy are friends. And also that Stirratt has a calm personality, that helped him get through the tumultuous years when other personalities couldn't handle it.

Originally Posted by thebbconspiracy

I can believe that! I read in an interview with Jay Bennett that Jeff was thinking about replacing John because he was getting upset that he wasn't getting any songs in. I know when Wilco first started, Stirratt had the intentions of being a second songwriter, and we all know how that ended. I love Tweedy though. I really think this lineup is the best one so far. Whole Love was great, IMO. Nels Cline really added a lot to the band after Bennett was fired.

Funny how that turned out for Bennett.


As a Wilco fan, I'm totally pleased with the band the last 9 years. Every time I've seen them live they have been stellar and they keep releasing great music. You couldn't ask for more as a fan. Stirratt has always been a bass playing influence of mine. I love how he keeps it simple and tight, yet melodic, and throws in great vocal harmonies as well.

[thebbconspiracy]

The interview I saw was around the time after when Bennett was kicked out of the band, so he probably had some bad blood and just telling people that Jeff wanted John gone. I have the "Ashes" DVD, and I've seen that part. I think it's true. I really can't see anyone else playing bass for them. But I really love the lineup now, and I hope this is the final lineup, and no more changes.