I love Television. I love Tom Verlaine. A lot of people rightfully think of him mostly for his guitar playing, but I can’t think of a song better than this one. I’m still trying to write a song as good as this song. Television played Solid Sound in 2017, and after their set, I thanked Tom for being there. He looked at me and smiled, and he thanked me for having them. I hadn't really seen him smile before that. It seems like a very small thing, but it meant a lot to me. That’s a totally typical interaction with almost anybody else, but for some reason, when Tom Verlaine smiled, it felt like I had communicated with another world.
Is it all right to “woo” this? Because it deserves an earnest woo. But then I think of Verlaine and what he would think of a woo, and, well, I retract the theoretical woo in favor of a hopefully more elegant #LovelyTributeSir . It sounds like it should have been played acoustically the whole time...
Marquee Moon came out when I was 6 or 7. I heard it for the first time around age 11, probably from an older sibling of a friend or my older cousin who introduced me to so much music. I didn’t know why, but I loved it. As I got older it made more sense to me. As I sit here in my early 50s I can say it is one my most often listened to records. I don’t have favorites or lists or anything, but if I did, Marquee Moon is at or near the very top. One of my prized vinyl possessions is a Marquee Moon first press from Specialty Records (vinyl nerd stuff). Boy did I play it loudly on Saturday. Thank you for this, Jeff. A beautiful interpretation of an already beautiful song.
Guitar nerd question: what fret do you have that capoed at? What’s the key? I love that song but couldn’t imagine it as an acoustic song......until now!!!!!
Jeff - many thanks for this truly beautiful take on Venus. I’m still at a loss for words and if anyone hasn’t seen them - I’d recommend Chris Forsyth’s guitar focused piece in The Guardian, Patti Smith’s poetic tribute in The New Yorker, and Dean Wareham’s writing on his encounters with Tom in Counterpunch. They have said why he meant so much to so many (like me) and why he changed everything instantly and forever. I’ve been processing my own feelings about his brilliance and this loss by playing my own extended guitar versions of his gorgeous Spirtual from 1992’s instrumental LP Warm and Cool . Love to all who will miss him. 🙏❤️
Jan 31, 2023·edited Jan 31, 2023Liked by Jeff Tweedy
What a lovely reimagination of a perfect song. The TV studio and live electric versions are burned into my brain....I guess I have make room for a new etching.
That was beautiful Jeff, as someone who also loves Television it was always obvious how you and your band mates felt about the band. I was in my early 20’s when all those great bands from NYC were coming into their own. I still dig them but Television was always my favorite, Tom and Richard’s guitar work was incredible and like nothing I had heard. Tom’s writing was tremendous as well and his solo work is exceptional. Thanks so much for treating all of us today.💛
Thank you! A really lovely tribute to Verlaine. Yes, he was otherworldly. I saw Television for the first time when I was in college, at the old Waldorf in S.F. in 1978. Went into the concert not really knowing them very well - came out a lifelong fan. He'll be missed.
The YouTube of "Venus" from TTS got a thousand views the first 24 hours. So how’s about that Covers Album? You could call it Chocolate Egg Cream
Captain (and other Starship Casual passengers) -- did you read Caryn Rose's piece on Verlaine? I thought it was very good.
https://jukeboxgraduate.substack.com/p/on-tom-verlaine
Thank you for the lovely song and reminiscence!
Is it all right to “woo” this? Because it deserves an earnest woo. But then I think of Verlaine and what he would think of a woo, and, well, I retract the theoretical woo in favor of a hopefully more elegant #LovelyTributeSir . It sounds like it should have been played acoustically the whole time...
Marquee Moon came out when I was 6 or 7. I heard it for the first time around age 11, probably from an older sibling of a friend or my older cousin who introduced me to so much music. I didn’t know why, but I loved it. As I got older it made more sense to me. As I sit here in my early 50s I can say it is one my most often listened to records. I don’t have favorites or lists or anything, but if I did, Marquee Moon is at or near the very top. One of my prized vinyl possessions is a Marquee Moon first press from Specialty Records (vinyl nerd stuff). Boy did I play it loudly on Saturday. Thank you for this, Jeff. A beautiful interpretation of an already beautiful song.
I've never listened so closely to the incredible lyrics before. A revelation. Thank you.
Guitar nerd question: what fret do you have that capoed at? What’s the key? I love that song but couldn’t imagine it as an acoustic song......until now!!!!!
Jeff - many thanks for this truly beautiful take on Venus. I’m still at a loss for words and if anyone hasn’t seen them - I’d recommend Chris Forsyth’s guitar focused piece in The Guardian, Patti Smith’s poetic tribute in The New Yorker, and Dean Wareham’s writing on his encounters with Tom in Counterpunch. They have said why he meant so much to so many (like me) and why he changed everything instantly and forever. I’ve been processing my own feelings about his brilliance and this loss by playing my own extended guitar versions of his gorgeous Spirtual from 1992’s instrumental LP Warm and Cool . Love to all who will miss him. 🙏❤️
What a lovely reimagination of a perfect song. The TV studio and live electric versions are burned into my brain....I guess I have make room for a new etching.
Such beautiful guitar work Jeff.
Beautiful cover. By the way- I always considered Impossible Germany the best song Television never did.
Television one of my favorite bands ever! Love the guitars…they sing in harmony, as well as the vocals…marquee moon comes to the deserted island!
That was beautiful Jeff, as someone who also loves Television it was always obvious how you and your band mates felt about the band. I was in my early 20’s when all those great bands from NYC were coming into their own. I still dig them but Television was always my favorite, Tom and Richard’s guitar work was incredible and like nothing I had heard. Tom’s writing was tremendous as well and his solo work is exceptional. Thanks so much for treating all of us today.💛
Thanks for sharing. I infer a link between "Marquee Moon" and "Impossible Germany," even if you never implied it.
Can everyone else recognize Jeff’s warm guitar playing on the first few notes? Amazing tribute. RIP Tom Verlaine
Thank you! A really lovely tribute to Verlaine. Yes, he was otherworldly. I saw Television for the first time when I was in college, at the old Waldorf in S.F. in 1978. Went into the concert not really knowing them very well - came out a lifelong fan. He'll be missed.
As usual, you make difficult songs sound deceptively simple. Excellent job with this! RIP Tom and thank you for the amazing music.