AmericanaramA, St. Paul

Anything I have to say about last night's event can be summed up in one word:

Magical.

Other words that can be used would be special, meaningful, beautiful, fun, historic, monumental. Coordinating with our generous/kind/super friends (who replaced the babysitter who canceled) on a week night meant missing Richard Thompson's opening set, and the last hour of Bob Dylan's phonemenal set. However,  I was grateful for every single minute of the four hours out with my husband. Every note of music we experienced from MMJ, Wilco, and Dylan was perfection. If you'd like more adjectives, just ask. This show was thesaurus worthy. A better written review can be read on the Current's blog.

Some proof (in order of the magical occurances):

Trampled by Turtles (Duluth band, loved by all in MN) joined My Morning Jacket. Below is the song performed last summer by both bands in Sommerset, WI. Last night's performance of the song was equally as wonderful:

My Morning Jacket joined the stage with Wilco to perform a pretty B.A. version of Neil Young's Cinnamon Girl:

The touching tribute to local legend Bobby Vee (that we regretably missed):

In addition to the magic that was happening on stage, there was magic happening on the field. I have lived in Minnesota for a cumulative total of 20 years. Last night felt like a celebration of those years. In a sold-out sea of 14,000, I met up with friends from college and family (thanks for the beer, NB:). I ran into friends of friends, friends from past jobs, two favorite teachers I've taught with at two different schools, and our next door neighbors. I even stood next to Lucy Michelle (of the Velvet Lapels) for 5 minutes during Wilco's set. It took all I had to not get all geeky fan on her, but I let her enjoy the song in peace. We also ran into some newly wed friends, only to learn that their honeymoon was identical to ours, down to the very Cabin D at Tettegouche we stayed in (the very cabin that Lucy Michelle's song 'Honeymoon' conjures up crystal clear memories of--whoa--). Last night, I was supposed to be at Midway Stadium. Sometimes it just feels good to be in the right place at the right time, with the right people.

dwstaple, I can't wait to read your AmericanaramA, Chicago post! Have SO MUCH FUN!