i was just thinking this might be a worthy thread because each live version of don dante sounds a bit different. the ending solo and jim's voice really make each don dante its own. anyway here's my vote for the best.
10.19.05 - Toronto http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=30571
clocking in at a mild 10:09, the blistering solo at the end is great and jim's voice sounds like a train wreck. (which i would imagine as loud and powerful).
Got to go with the Bogart's, Cincy show, Oct. 26.
http://www.archive.org/audio/etree-details-db.php?id=30541
Saw them do it 5 times since June and this time was the most magical, most energized, most spiritual. I usually catch them early in the tour, since I live in Nashville, but the Cincy show had a middle of the tour rhythm and groove, plus they were close enough to home to feel the vibe.
My vote, Bogart's in Cincinnati, Oct. 26th, 2006 (Tom's 18th B'day show!)
Also met Ratsprayer after the gig. :)
i'm choosing between asheville (pre-bonnaroo), knoxville (sundown in the city), indy, and the aforementioned cincy show. the asheville version is good, mostly because it was the first time i heard it and was really all fucked up by what i had just heard. i'm going to agree with tracy on this one though, in fact, i think we both mentioned to each other after the show of it being the best version of don dante we both had heard.
Quotei'm choosing between asheville (pre-bonnaroo), knoxville (sundown in the city), indy, and the aforementioned cincy show. the asheville version is good, mostly because it was the first time i heard it and was really all fucked up by what i had just heard. i'm going to agree with tracy on this one though, in fact, i think we both mentioned to each other after the show of it being the best version of don dante we both had heard.
yeah, too bad Tom and I had to haul ass back to Nashville after that show, we could have all hung out and talked politics... ;)
Quote
yeah, too bad Tom and I had to haul ass back to Nashville after that show, we could have all hung out and talked politics... ;)
we also could have enjoyed the ghetto fabulous section of cincinnati where bogart's is located...
damn. i wish i would have been able to go to that show too.
Listen to the Dallas version (11/18/05)....if you can find it...
I don't mean to be bias, but that Dallas Gypsy Tea Room version is pretty sick.
I agree with Asheville - June 05
QuoteI agree with Asheville - June 05
that was the first time i heard, so thats a special one for me.
Yeah, I listened to it all summer
The 2nd show in Philly was amazing. Jim was feeling frisky, and it was the night they played Z start to finish....so Don Dante was before the first encore............and to see and hear Jim struggle to hit those notes--not in a technical sense, but emotionally, as it seemed he was draining himself all nite.....my god, it was heart wrenching and brilliant!!!!!
i'll never forget it!
Cat's Cradle, NC, June 2005.
I don't know if a really great recording exists, though. The one I have is pretty quiet. I believe I've heard the Ashville version, and I would have to agree that it is awesome.
Just downloaded Bonneroo 2005 and played Don Dante for the first time.
Tears are rolling down my cheeks. :'(
Sorry, but it is a thing of immeasurable beauty :-[
Cincy Bogart's. Confirmed.
Austin City Limits! ;)
QuoteAustin City Limits! ;)
No doubt about this one anymore. Might as well lock this thread up. ACL = Best. Version. Ever.
the acl versh is stunning. even high five worthy.
ACL is right up there with the best i've heard
Of the ones I've heard I have to say it's Louisville 11/23/05. Absolutely majestic and amazing. I was at the show and thanks to people clapping and hooting I didn't really hear all the nuances until I heard the recording.
Love the ACL version too but Jim didn't quite take the solo to the breathtaking heights he reached on the Louisville one. Definitive for me.
fyi, they did ACL less than 48 hours after the Dallas show and just a few days before the homecoming gig. seems like they were in the groove.
QuoteListen to the Dallas version (11/18/05)....if you can find it...
Do you have a copy of this? I would love to get it!!!! 'Twas my first live Jacket experience!
Well it may or may not be the best version ever, but i'd have to say the version from the 9:30 Club - Washington, D.C. October 10th, 2005.
Its the only time i've seen it live and well i've listen to the web-cast about 50 times. So yeah thats my pick.
QuoteWell it may or may not be the best version ever, but i'd have to say the version from the 9:30 Club - Washington, D.C. October 10th, 2005.
Its the only time i've seen it live and well i've listen to the web-cast about 50 times. So yeah thats my pick.
Hey are you going to catch Pearl Jam and My Morning Jacket on this upcoming tour?
La Zona Rosa, Austin TX November 17th 2005.
well i just got back from bonnaroo 06, and i specifically remember after they played dondante, leaning over to my friend and saying "that was worth the 180 dollars right there". ive only seen dondante live once before this, but i know it was not at all like this unreal version from bonnaroo 06. the song began with carl on the sax, and had a different kind of jazzy rhythm, and i think a different beginning bassline until the second verse. carl held down the sax during the verses and didnt even pick up the guitar until right before the little mini bendy guitar riff before the You had me worried rock out part. after this they preceded to tear the house down with epic guitar and jim vocals for at least 5 minutes of rock. they eventually died down, and carl went back and picked up his sax and slowly winding the song down with at least another 2 minutes of saxophone goodness. i had no timer, but considering the bonnaroo set was from 12pm-3am, i highly believe it clocked in at somewhere around fifteen minutes. fucking unbelievable. they were at the top of their game that night, and seriously dropped some jaws. if anyone else was at this show, i wanna hear your opinion of it. anyway, bonnaroo 06 is my vote.
There are two different versions of Don Dante. So I'm not even sure which version of the song I like, much less which performance...
We have the studio version, and we have the redux that, from what I understand, was first played at Vanderbilt this year, and then at Northwestern University... Unfortunately, I've never seen the Vanderbilt show (or even the portions of it) up for grabs online... but as we were all clamored up front, it really was the most incredible thing I had ever heard... Jim James tore into the guitar in a way I had never seen him do before... he was a madman...
Studio version - Bonnaroo 2005
This is my favorite just because of its impact on the crowd... Not only did it really stir me up and give me goosebumps, but some folks who were actually going to walk past MMJ's stage on the way to see someone else stopped in their tracks to hear this lion of a man hit these soft notes... furious screams... guitar absolutely wailing and howling... then of course the sax is perfect at the end.
Redux - Vanderbilt 2006
I hope someday a recording of this surfaces for all of those who were unable to see it firsthand... I sure wish I didn't have to rely on my shot-up memory, too.