I was part of the Songs For Slim team, a charitable effort led by Peter Jesperson with invaluable assistance from Benny Perlstein, Chris Trovero and others. SFS was designed to direct not only some aid to Slimbob (those of us who knew Slim pre-1987 knew him as Bob) after his catastrophic stroke in 2012 but we also shared a strong desire to raise Slim's musical profile, too. The original plan was to release a series of monthly limited edition, autographed singles that would be auctioned off on eBay with all of the profit going to the Dunlap family.
The series kicked off with The Replacements first new recordings in over two decades, a session at the late Ed Ackerson's Flowers Studio in Minneapolis that was slated for just one song. Atypically for the Mats - a band that hadn't existed in any meaningful form since 1991 -the vibe was good and they boys ended up recording 4 songs. Ed later told me, "I just hit record and let 'em go." Combined with a song from Chris Mars that he produced himself, those 5 songs became the first Songs For Slim release, a beautiful 10" slab o' vinyl with Chris Mars artwork (who did all of the SFS covers) limited to 250 copies. The eBay auction exceeded everyone's wildest dreams, generating a high 5 figure amount right out of the gate. Every single copy sold for over $300.
8 more 7 inch singles followed featuring a cavalcade of incredible artists like Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, various Scott McCaughey bands, Jakob Dylan, Craig Finn, Joe Henry, Patterson Hood, Jeff Tweedy and many others. Full list here: https://www.discogs.com/label/534966-Songs-For-Slim All the releases were auctioned off on eBay and limited to 100 copies except for the final Jeff Tweedy / Lucero pairing that we bumped up to 250 copies. It can't be overstated how generous all of the participating artists were. Everyone lined up to help Slim, a testament to his standing amongst his peers, especially those who had crossed his path at one point or another over the years.
The SFS series was capped off with a 2 CD compilation of the tracks from the 9 singles (minus the 3 Replacements "b sides" that were eventually included on a 12" commercial version of the Mats EP) + 10 additional bonus tracks, including a couple of Slim's kids covering their dad, Soul Asylum, MVP Scott McGaughey's third contribution to the project and The Jayhawks using a nom de plume of LP.ORG (long story).
I want to personally go on record to thank Jeff, Spencer, all star Mark Greenberg and Tony Lopez for knocking off a lovely version of Ballad of the Opening Band - one of Slim's finest creations - under what I understand was extremely tight deadline pressure. What a perfect way to end the series and one of the most rewarding projects I've ever been involved with. I've been relistening to the SFS material today in an attempt to kill the pain and I couldn't be more proud.
When Uncle Tupelo played the long gone Uptown Bar in Minneapolis in 1990 (opening for The Jayhawks) I was at the show with Slim and he was suitably impressed, especially because of their obvious love of old country music, one of Slim's greatest loves. And he wasn't somebody who was easily impressed (check out "Ain't Exactly Good" from his first solo album). As recounted above, Uncle Tupelo opened for the Mats on the east coast a few months later and not long before the Mats called it a day. Slim had a story or two about those shows and I'm sure Jeff does too. Greatly looking forward to hearing those someday.
I was at that concert at Toad’s Place in New Haven, CT in February 1991! I got there early to stake out a good spot near the beer soaked stage for the Replacements, and I ended up being completely floored by an opening band I’d never heard of from my home state of Illinois. My sister had told me she thought Uncle Tupelo was a Van Morrison cover band, but her intel on this wasn’t 100%. And here I am 33 years later still listening to the songs that were played that night! Rest in peace, Slim, and please give our best to Bob.
Thank you, Jeff, and thank you to everyone who participated in the Songs for Slim project. Not only did it help the Dunlaps cover their immense medical expenses, it introduced Bob's/Slim's music to a lot of listeners. I saw him and the Replacements in 1989 at Mississippi Nights in St. Louis. It certainly wasn't their best gig, but it was an unforgettable experience. May he rest in peace.
Like more than a few I'm guessing, I discovered this song through the cover you did. Always hoped to hear you play it live someday. This is just as good, almost, probably. Thanks for sharing it. And of course, condolences to all those who knew and loved Slim. If there's any consolation to his passing, it's knowing that he isn't in pain any longer. #RIPSlim
I bet I'm not the only one wishing he/she were at that show! Thanks Jeff! That inspired me to gift my son a subscription to your Starship Casual musings. Together, we've seen the band 18 times. I know, some people have seen you a lot more. But we always go together. So every show is an epic chapter in our collective Wilco saga. Thanks for the perpetual inspiration you provide.
Jeff, thank you for the beautiful poetry of your thoughtful words. I truly appreciate your work and the cover of Ballad of the Opening Band; truly sublime.
Just recalling back in the Tupelo day, a funny and encouraging conversation with Slim about of all things Marfan syndrome. So many people brought this up about me and my brothers, including our Mom. So I asked Slim if he ever felt this burden. “Funny you should ask…..” followed by some beautiful dark humor reassuring me that we didn’t.
Toad's Place was where I introduced my then-brand new girlfriend to the majesty of Wilco back in the fall of 2000. It was a test. She liked Wilco. She passed.
Like a lot of the music I’d like to think I’d die for, I was later to the ‘Mats than the rest of the world claim to be. My local record store hero, (and lifelong friend)Alan Kovan at PIA in Royal Oak turned me on to Pleased To Meet Me when it dropped, knowing I’d love it. By then, the band were no longer the “next big thing”, and before I knew it “Don’t Tell A Soul” was landing with a last gasp for a hit with “I’ll Be You” hitting college radio and MTV. Alan said he had 2 passes to see the boys at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor—he wasn’t interested but here, they’re yours. Oh! A chance to meet Paulie or Tommy! I went to the show with my girlfriend, who was a bigger fan by then than anyone I’d ever meet and afterwards we waited, our 20 year old selves, VIP access slapped on our thighs, for the band to emerge. The leaders came out, bored and drunk, speaking to some industry friends and never so much as glanced our way. But Slim did. He was the real replacement, in hindsight. The guy who took the place of the other guy and just like everyone is saying, sweet and without pretense, tired from the show but not too tired to say “how ya doing?” to some adoring fans. That mattered then. Still does.
I was part of the Songs For Slim team, a charitable effort led by Peter Jesperson with invaluable assistance from Benny Perlstein, Chris Trovero and others. SFS was designed to direct not only some aid to Slimbob (those of us who knew Slim pre-1987 knew him as Bob) after his catastrophic stroke in 2012 but we also shared a strong desire to raise Slim's musical profile, too. The original plan was to release a series of monthly limited edition, autographed singles that would be auctioned off on eBay with all of the profit going to the Dunlap family.
The series kicked off with The Replacements first new recordings in over two decades, a session at the late Ed Ackerson's Flowers Studio in Minneapolis that was slated for just one song. Atypically for the Mats - a band that hadn't existed in any meaningful form since 1991 -the vibe was good and they boys ended up recording 4 songs. Ed later told me, "I just hit record and let 'em go." Combined with a song from Chris Mars that he produced himself, those 5 songs became the first Songs For Slim release, a beautiful 10" slab o' vinyl with Chris Mars artwork (who did all of the SFS covers) limited to 250 copies. The eBay auction exceeded everyone's wildest dreams, generating a high 5 figure amount right out of the gate. Every single copy sold for over $300.
8 more 7 inch singles followed featuring a cavalcade of incredible artists like Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, various Scott McCaughey bands, Jakob Dylan, Craig Finn, Joe Henry, Patterson Hood, Jeff Tweedy and many others. Full list here: https://www.discogs.com/label/534966-Songs-For-Slim All the releases were auctioned off on eBay and limited to 100 copies except for the final Jeff Tweedy / Lucero pairing that we bumped up to 250 copies. It can't be overstated how generous all of the participating artists were. Everyone lined up to help Slim, a testament to his standing amongst his peers, especially those who had crossed his path at one point or another over the years.
The SFS series was capped off with a 2 CD compilation of the tracks from the 9 singles (minus the 3 Replacements "b sides" that were eventually included on a 12" commercial version of the Mats EP) + 10 additional bonus tracks, including a couple of Slim's kids covering their dad, Soul Asylum, MVP Scott McGaughey's third contribution to the project and The Jayhawks using a nom de plume of LP.ORG (long story).
I want to personally go on record to thank Jeff, Spencer, all star Mark Greenberg and Tony Lopez for knocking off a lovely version of Ballad of the Opening Band - one of Slim's finest creations - under what I understand was extremely tight deadline pressure. What a perfect way to end the series and one of the most rewarding projects I've ever been involved with. I've been relistening to the SFS material today in an attempt to kill the pain and I couldn't be more proud.
When Uncle Tupelo played the long gone Uptown Bar in Minneapolis in 1990 (opening for The Jayhawks) I was at the show with Slim and he was suitably impressed, especially because of their obvious love of old country music, one of Slim's greatest loves. And he wasn't somebody who was easily impressed (check out "Ain't Exactly Good" from his first solo album). As recounted above, Uncle Tupelo opened for the Mats on the east coast a few months later and not long before the Mats called it a day. Slim had a story or two about those shows and I'm sure Jeff does too. Greatly looking forward to hearing those someday.
Safe travels Bob.
I was at that concert at Toad’s Place in New Haven, CT in February 1991! I got there early to stake out a good spot near the beer soaked stage for the Replacements, and I ended up being completely floored by an opening band I’d never heard of from my home state of Illinois. My sister had told me she thought Uncle Tupelo was a Van Morrison cover band, but her intel on this wasn’t 100%. And here I am 33 years later still listening to the songs that were played that night! Rest in peace, Slim, and please give our best to Bob.
Whoa now that really is a tear jerker. Thank you for the deeply moving reminders of sincere Slim and the effervescent Judy.
Thank you, Jeff, and thank you to everyone who participated in the Songs for Slim project. Not only did it help the Dunlaps cover their immense medical expenses, it introduced Bob's/Slim's music to a lot of listeners. I saw him and the Replacements in 1989 at Mississippi Nights in St. Louis. It certainly wasn't their best gig, but it was an unforgettable experience. May he rest in peace.
Like more than a few I'm guessing, I discovered this song through the cover you did. Always hoped to hear you play it live someday. This is just as good, almost, probably. Thanks for sharing it. And of course, condolences to all those who knew and loved Slim. If there's any consolation to his passing, it's knowing that he isn't in pain any longer. #RIPSlim
I bet I'm not the only one wishing he/she were at that show! Thanks Jeff! That inspired me to gift my son a subscription to your Starship Casual musings. Together, we've seen the band 18 times. I know, some people have seen you a lot more. But we always go together. So every show is an epic chapter in our collective Wilco saga. Thanks for the perpetual inspiration you provide.
Jeff, thank you for the beautiful poetry of your thoughtful words. I truly appreciate your work and the cover of Ballad of the Opening Band; truly sublime.
Saw The Replacements many many times, the times of my life.
Ah Toad's Place - only got to go there a couple times but what a venue
I saw him with the Replacements at the old Syria Mosque here in Pittsburgh in 1989. Fantastic show — they rocked so hard. RIP
Just recalling back in the Tupelo day, a funny and encouraging conversation with Slim about of all things Marfan syndrome. So many people brought this up about me and my brothers, including our Mom. So I asked Slim if he ever felt this burden. “Funny you should ask…..” followed by some beautiful dark humor reassuring me that we didn’t.
Beautiful. Slim was an undeniable talent. I know your love for The ‘Mats…I’m there with you. So thank you for that and RIP to one of the late greats
Toad's Place was where I introduced my then-brand new girlfriend to the majesty of Wilco back in the fall of 2000. It was a test. She liked Wilco. She passed.
Ain’t nothin’ but a heartache. 😔 See ya down the road, Slim. Thanks for the cover, of course. I cry every time. 💜💜
Thanks for another excellent take. Happy holiday season to you and your family.
Always loved this cover. You make such sense out of it capt.
Like a lot of the music I’d like to think I’d die for, I was later to the ‘Mats than the rest of the world claim to be. My local record store hero, (and lifelong friend)Alan Kovan at PIA in Royal Oak turned me on to Pleased To Meet Me when it dropped, knowing I’d love it. By then, the band were no longer the “next big thing”, and before I knew it “Don’t Tell A Soul” was landing with a last gasp for a hit with “I’ll Be You” hitting college radio and MTV. Alan said he had 2 passes to see the boys at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor—he wasn’t interested but here, they’re yours. Oh! A chance to meet Paulie or Tommy! I went to the show with my girlfriend, who was a bigger fan by then than anyone I’d ever meet and afterwards we waited, our 20 year old selves, VIP access slapped on our thighs, for the band to emerge. The leaders came out, bored and drunk, speaking to some industry friends and never so much as glanced our way. But Slim did. He was the real replacement, in hindsight. The guy who took the place of the other guy and just like everyone is saying, sweet and without pretense, tired from the show but not too tired to say “how ya doing?” to some adoring fans. That mattered then. Still does.