Last night at Madison Square Garden, Wilco closed out a run of 7 dates opening for Neil Young. Although Young did not sit in with Jeff Tweedy and Co., Norah Jones put in a surprise appearance, joining the group for Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’s ‘Jesus, etc.’ This was an apt selection on a few levels as in late October, Jones had covered the song in Wilco’s presence during Young’s Bridge School Benefit in Mountain View, California.
Young then took the stage for an extended set that blended such classics as ‘ Hey Hey, My My,’ ‘Powderfinger’ and ‘Cortez The Killer’ with newer tunes, including ‘Cough Up The Bucks,’ ‘Fuel Line’ and ‘Hit The Road.’ Near the close of the night, Young welcomed the members of Wilco to the stage along with the musicians in Everest (who had opened all 18 of Young’s fall dates, including a series of gigs with Death Cab for Cutie before Wilco joined the tour). Wilco and Everest then sang back-up on a version of ‘Rockin’ In The Free World. The night concluded with the cover of The Beatles’ ‘A Day In The Life’ that has been a staple of Young’s repertoire since earlier this year.