Tribute in Honor of the Late Jay Bennett of the Band Wilco

I was saddened to read of the passing of musician Jay Bennett in the New York Times (May 26, 2009). Bennett was an integral member of Wilco, one of my favorite bands. Their best albums, Summerteeth and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, were recorded while Bennett was still a member.

Bennett obviously clicked with guitarist/vocalist Jeff Tweedy much in the way John Lennon clicked with Paul McCartney. Unfortunately their collaboration led to animosity, which quickly led to Bennett leaving the band. Though Tweedy has written some worthy tunes since his songwriting partner left Wilco, he has not quite attained the quality he had created with Bennett.

In tribute to the passing of Jay Bennett, I offer this list of the best ten songs that he and Jeff Tweedy recorded with Wilco.

10."I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot: It's kind of a strange song to open an album, but this slow country-folk number seems to be the perfect intro for the band's most popular album.

9."Kamera" from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot: In the first line the guy needs a camera to photograph which lies he has told, but by the second stanza he's already destroyed that camera. There is a message s in this song somewhere beneath Tweedy's raspy vocals.

8."She's a Jar" from Summerteeth: The title presents an unusual metaphor, and the enigmatic lyrics are served well by the song's breezy rhythm.

7."I'm the Man Who Loves You" from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot: This up-tempo number is strengthened by a psychadelic opening line that spouts nearly every color from the spectrum.

6."Nothing's Ever Gonna Stand in My Way Again" from Summerteeth: This is a true pop song, catchy and exuding with enough confidence that it would not be out of place in a sports locker room before a big game.

5. "Jesus, etc." from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot: The highlight of this laid-back number is the repeated line, "You were right about the stars, Each one is a setting sun."

4. "I'm Always in Love" from Summerteeth: Another one of the uptempo pop tracks from the band's second album, Tweedy sounds like someone who is happily in love. One can't help but smile when he sings, "I set the sun on a big-wheeled wagon."

3. "Pot Kettle Black" from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot: This tune is laden with psychadelic imagery, starting with the "Crazy rides rockets" and "a string I never strum." It actually has a moral a message similar to ones who live in glass houses.

2."Can't Stand It" from Summerteeth: Here is one of Wilco's first song's denouncing organized religion. The band is right when they say, "No love's as random as God's love."

1."Shot in the Arm" from Summerteeth: The title can be taken literally by fans who are aware of Tweedy's drug troubles. Musically it is a beautiful song, with clever wordplay about walking by the sea and walking the guitar from chord C to D.