TITANIC LOVE AFFAIR

[JohnnyOstentatious]

Good god-damn, what a perfect song! Love how no instrument is slighted. Twenty years on, and I still love it. . . .

[tonemachine11]

(cont)Somewhere out there is a videotape that I loaned to Nina of she, Jay and I in the audience of the Joan Rivers show on that trip- yeah, we couldn't sneak into Letterman. I also have some pics of us goofing around in the Bronx Zoo for any friends, family or obsessive fans that might be interested. RIP, Jay. I wish I knew you better, your musicianship was fantastic. Taking nothing away from Tweedy, Wilco would not have been noticed as much if it weren't for your incongruity and creativity.

[tonemachine11]

(cont)Somewhere out there is a videotape that I loaned to Nina of she, Jay and I in the audience of the Joan Rivers show on that trip- yeah, we couldn't sneak into Letterman. I also have some pics of us goofing around in the Bronx Zoo for any friends, family or obsessive fans that might be interested. RIP, Jay. I wish I knew you better, your musicianship was fantastic and I can hear your envelope-pushing in the arrangements. Wilco might not have been noticed much if it weren't for you.

[tonemachine11]

Spring 2000, I decided to go from U of I to New York City for spring break. A girl whom I knew casually from an organization we worked in (StarCourse) was up for joining me. She was the very beautiful Nina _? A couple days before leaving she asked if I would mind if her boyfriend came so he could shop some music. I said "no problem." It was Jay Bennett, of course. And at the last minute Lars joined, too. Jay told me a year or so later that he got his deal from that trip.

[tonemachine11]

(cont). That was at a party where we ran into each other. That was the first time I saw him after our trip; we did not become fast friends even after sharing a week just about 24/7. Hey, he was a young, true artist with his own agenda and that's okay. He was very friendly nonetheless. I like to think that were it not for that trip, TLA might not have been signed and maybe Jay wouldn't have had the credibility for Mr. Tweedy. Tweedy is excellent, Wilco made it because of Jay's abilities.

[babarouche]

TLA used to practice in my basement, before they got signed. This song is good but by no means their best. Unfortunately their label went bankrupt not long after the debut album an TLA eventually disbanded. Jay was a really nice guy, but he had his demons... I believe Tweedy forced him out of Wilco because Jay's imprint on the music had come to overshadow Tweedy's. RIP Jay Bennett -- you are not forgotten

[fabrasham]

While TLA was a cool band....and Wilco with Jay was a cool band......and Wilco without Jay is ok..........neither band can come close to the greatness of the Replacements.

[cogscretin]

I agree that Coomer's drumming really wouldn't have any place on YHF. To me, he's like an Alt-Country John Bonham. And when I say Kotche blows--I mean "I don't like his style", not "he is incompetent".

I don't know how true to life the Wilco movie was, but the way they dealt with Jay was awful. I'm sure first-time filmmaker Sam Jones was giddy filming it all and tarting up the "Spinal Tap" aspect of it by showing Jay, post-firing, doing an acoustic show to an almost empty bar.

[dashofchutmeg]

@cogscretin Have you read Learning How to Die by Greg Kot? He fleshes out the story a little more. I'm pretty sure it wasn't Tweedy losing control that pushed Jay out of the band-- it was his alpha-male attitude. Unfortunately, we suffered. Wilco, on the other hand, would never have become the uber-professional (jam) band we know them as today, selling out large arenas around the world.

[cogscretin]

...that is if the 'Mats practiced their chops instead of drank! RIP, Jay. And yes, Wilco became unlistenable for me post-Coomer/Bennett. Gratuitously artsy-fartsy, and Glenn Kotche absolutely blows. Drums should be hit HARD--not all "elbows out" and tap-tap-tappy!

[dashofchutmeg]

@cogscretin Agreed that Jay-era Wilco is WAY better than before (Anodyne/A.M.) and after, but Kotche blows? You're crazy! Coomer was great, but Yankee Hotel Foxtrot would have been awkward without Kotche! Coomer was a one trick pony.

[iamlameduck]

Weird verse, awesome chorus, terrible video. The 'Mats featuring Jay B.

Wilco with Jay > Wilco before and after Jay

[ypmtrga]

Bye Jay and RIP TLA.

Folks - Jay's new solo album - out just a couple of months is available for download. It's called Whatever Happened I Apologize. Search for it, you'll dig it I bet.

[slaxwax]

What up with Jay's guitar? What kind is it?

[sarzothegreat]

it's a telecaster copy made by ampeg.

[alexharvey]

This song is seriously great.RIP JB.

[HatFactory09]

RIP Jay

[dartingoxcart]

So sorry to hear about Jay, fuckin' hell...this is not cool....TLA used to rehearse in my Mom's basement, Kenny recorded my 1st solo demo.

I miss my days in Cham-Bana and TLA were the best band and there thing brought attention to other bands.

[Badgerheadsuperhero]

It sounds like it should be a followup tune to the Replacements "Another Girl, Another Planet"

And that is a serious compliment.

[iamlameduck]

Yup.

[Grantalonus]

I've followed Jay since TLA- Wilco. WCBR in NW Chi used to play these guys all the time. Terrible news about Jay's death, just terrible.

[dkk294]

Rest in peace, Jay. Sorry your gone

[aheavylid]

i wish i didn't associate this with a man. this song is awesome.

[AAASparky]

Holy Shit! Love the song (saw them a few times downtown Chicago), terrible video.

[fhhubbard]

Gentlemen, Your mission here was too brief. We remain true to the cause, we look forward to your return, and we await your instructions.

[azoret]

great comment :)

We will...

[sacredo07]

Almost coulda filled the void the Mat's left when they checked out....but the attitude wasn't there...big time dick factor!

[fhhubbard]

I used to jam with Mike back in the 80s. AWESOME DRUMMER!!! Let's get the band back together man!! Regards, Frank

[fabrasham]

i second their shit don't stink / asshole attitude. karmas a bitch.

[elvismilk]

amazing album

[4thPOC]

Are they doing anything now? I know Bennett made a record with them after the YHF disaster (for him, anyhow.) is it any good?

[shiznicks74]

amazing band, shitty video - I'm sure they know that now though - try to find their "no charisma" ep - gone but not forgotten TLA

[fenderman0463]

the drummer mike hazelrigg is from the town i live in...he was kind of an asshole, at least to me he was...acted like his shit didn't stink...

[elvismilk]

this album is one of the best of the 90,s