Jeff Tweedy Interprets Carl Sandburg Poem as New Song “Theme in Yellow”: Listen

One hundred years ago, Carl Sandburg released his poetry collection Chicago Poems. To celebrate the centennial, David Nagler (the musical director for Wesley Stace’s Cabinet of Wonders at City Winery) has brought together artists to create musical interpretations of Sandburg’s works. Among them are Jon Langford and Sally Timms of Mekons, Kelly Hogan, and more. Today, Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy has shared his interpretation of Sandburg’s “Theme in Yellow.” Hear it, and check out the tracklist and cover art for David Nagler & Friends’ Carl Sandburg’s Chicago Poems, below. Read the poem here.

Wilco recently announced a new record Schmilco, and shared the new tracks “Locator” and “If I Ever Was a Child.” Their album is out September 9.

Read “7 Times Uncle Tupelo Predicted This Political Mess We’re In” on the Pitch.

Carl Sandburg’s Chicago Poems:

01 David Nagler: “Chicago”
02 David Nagler: “Lost”
03 Sally Timms: “Happiness”
04 David Nagler: “Mag”
05 David Nagler: “Personality”
06 David Nagler: “Fog”
07 David Nagler: “Killers”
08 David Nagler: “Limited”
09 Jon Langford: “Under a Hat Rim”
10 Daniel Knox: “Child of the Romans”
11 Robbie Fulks: “Under the Harvest Moon”
12 David Nagler: “Nocturne in a Deserted Brickyard”
13 Jeff Tweedy: “Theme in Yellow”
14 The Cornhuskers: “Child”
15 David Nagler: “Gone”
16 David Nagler: “Under a Telephone Pole”

Watch Wilco on Pitchfork.tv’s “Over/Under”:

via Matthew Strauss