Featuring the band that was assembled after the release of A ghost is born (Nonesuch, 2004), Sky Blue Sky is the first studio album from a lineup that has received overwhelmingly positive critical and popular acclaim for its nearly three years of live shows, documented on the 2005 live double-disc Kicking Television: Live in Chicago. Rolling Stone called that recording "a definitive live statement from America's foremost rock impressionists." Sky Blue Sky features guitarist, singer, and principal songwriter Jeff Tweedy; longtime Tweedy bandmate bassist John Stirratt; percussionist Glenn Kotche; keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen; multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone; and avant-jazz guitarist Nels Cline (recently named one of the Top 20 New Guitar Gods by Rolling Stone magazine). The twelve new songs on Sky Blue Sky were recorded at the band's Chicago studio, The Loft. The album was produced by Wilco, recorded by TJ Doherty (Sonic Youth, the Hold Steady), and mixed by Jim Scott (The Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Dixie Chicks, the Rolling Stones).