I think he was important, but only in the way he was important to Wilco: studio style.
I mean, "Disconnection Notice" would sound the same, but wouldn't have the quasi-electronic fade-in happening throughout, y'know? Maybe "Sympathy For The Strawberry" would lack the keyboard. He seems very interested in subtle touches that fill out a production, not so interested in skeletal songwriting.
Just my guess. I wasn't there when they wrote/recorded, but...
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