My Morning Jacket

-No Steam Engine (even though it's on the list), so no piss down the pants.
 -Added At Dawn and Bermuda Hwy (Jim and Carl) at the end.
-Tonight I Want to Celebrate on omnichord.
 -We saw John Prine there, hoping he'd pop up on stage, but no.
-Jim acknowledged our Sun Sphere sign and Brucie signed the back.

Really fantastic (once again) but pretty wiped. Got to get the cement out of my hair and be at work at 8.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f296/ycartrob/setlist.jpg)

I'll elaborate more on my Ryman experience tomorrow. For now, just know that it was incredible.

Quote-Jim acknowledged our Sun Sphere sign and Brucie signed the back.

I thought that had to be you when I saw those sequins! Hilarious!

also, great to see these here folks from the board

Corey, Trey, Tim, Meg (from Bowling Green), Tom,  Brian (and AB), Brad, and Alan.

what a great night!

Whew. Great show last night. I opened this thread when I got home at about 2:15, but was too tired to post anything.

It was nice to hang back and enjoy the show from the balcony. I've been "in the crunk" at every show I've been to, so it was definitely different to see the rock show from a difference perspective.

I finally got to hear "Phone Went West" in person. I'm pretty sure that makes my list of "MMJ songs I would like to hear live" complete. Also, we got "Tonite I want to celebrate with you". Good stuff.

It was definitely interesting to start the show with (a full band version of ) "Nashville to Kentucky" and ending with "Bermuda Highway".

I hate that I didn't grab a poster before the show, but I didn't want to bother with hanging on to it during the show. Now I fully regret that. :(


It was also great seeing Tracy, LA, Brian, AB, and Tom again. Too bad we didn't make it in town any earlier.

Thanks for the setlist!  Amazing is the only word I can think of to describe this one.  Knoxville was a doozy but you just can't beat the Ryman.  I missed out on the poster too...I'm guessing it was a Hatch show print...if so, I'll have to go downtown and grab one from the shop.

Amazing is the only thing i can say right now about last night at the Ryman!  Didn't they play The Way that he Sings?  I missed out on the poster too...guess I'll have to go back downtown to the Hatch store.

Whoops, now i see it, sorry.  still fuzzzzzzy from last night...shew!

Earlier this year, I paid premium dollar for Tool tickets. When one spends the equivalent of a paycheck on a show and travel, s/he should get something eternal. As much as I love Maynard and Co., the band did not, how can I say this delicately, "put out." Too short a setlist for a group with geeky, devoted fanbase at their station in life.

I share this anecdotal comment about another band because this is antithetical to what JJ and these four badass mothertruckin' Kentucky boys give us every night.

After releasing Okokonos, MMJ didn't have to tour. They could have kicked back for a few. JIm didn't have to wear a tie last night, but he did, because he was going to church.

After Z, I became a frequent listener. After the 'roo, I became a fan. Last night, I left the Ryman a believer.

I'm a  My (oh-my oh-my listen to them every freaking) Morning Jacket(astic) Fanatic.

Luckily, I took my wife, and she's smitten, too, even though the early stuff is "too country" for her.. .

Of course, this flavor must be tasted again. Of course, I will now waste crazy amounts of time and money on MMJ. Of course, I'll start collecting mp3s of shows and the like.

Trying to go to Denver.

QuoteEarlier this year, I paid premium dollar for Tool tickets. When one spends the equivalent of a paycheck on a show and travel, s/he should get something eternal. As much as I love Maynard and Co., the band did not, how can I say this delicately, "put out." Too short a setlist for a group with geeky, devoted fanbase at their station in life.

I share this anecdotal comment about another band because this is antithetical to what JJ and these four badass mothertruckin' Kentucky boys give us every night.

After releasing Okokonos, MMJ didn't have to tour. They could have kicked back for a few. JIm didn't have to wear a tie last night, but he did, because he was going to church.

After Z, I became a frequent listener. After the 'roo, I became a fan. Last night, I left the Ryman a believer.

I'm a  My (oh-my oh-my listen to them every freaking) Morning Jacket(astic) Fanatic.

Luckily, I took my wife, and she's smitten, too, even though the early stuff is "too country" for her.. .

Of course, this flavor must be tasted again. Of course, I will now waste crazy amounts of time and money on MMJ. Of course, I'll start collecting mp3s of shows and the like.

Trying to go to Denver.

thats awesome

nothing like being hooked to a band after seeing them at the Ryman

Did anyone else notice the songs they were playing before the band came on? One was a song by "three times one minus one," bob odenkirk and david cross' fake r&b band. ...

Quote

After Z, I became a frequent listener. After the 'roo, I became a fan. Last night, I left the Ryman a believer.

Well put... very well put!

From all what I'm reading in the 'shows" thread, It's seems like they (MMJ that is) are gaining momentum with every gig they play...

Kewl 8)

QuoteEarlier this year, I paid premium dollar for Tool tickets. When one spends the equivalent of a paycheck on a show and travel, s/he should get something eternal. As much as I love Maynard and Co., the band did not, how can I say this delicately, "put out." Too short a setlist for a group with geeky, devoted fanbase at their station in life.

I share this anecdotal comment about another band because this is antithetical to what JJ and these four badass mothertruckin' Kentucky boys give us every night.

After releasing Okokonos, MMJ didn't have to tour. They could have kicked back for a few. JIm didn't have to wear a tie last night, but he did, because he was going to church.

After Z, I became a frequent listener. After the 'roo, I became a fan. Last night, I left the Ryman a believer.

I'm a  My (oh-my oh-my listen to them every freaking) Morning Jacket(astic) Fanatic.

Luckily, I took my wife, and she's smitten, too, even though the early stuff is "too country" for her.. .

Of course, this flavor must be tasted again. Of course, I will now waste crazy amounts of time and money on MMJ. Of course, I'll start collecting mp3s of shows and the like.

Trying to go to Denver.

I really quite enjoyed reading this and identified greatly with your description of how you've come to the place you have with mmj. My own experience was a lot similiar, though it still moves was the album that hooked me. I liked your description so much, though, I quoted you in my blog on the matter.

Thank you kindly for sharing :)

QuoteDid anyone else notice the songs they were playing before the band came on? One was a song by "three times one minus one," bob odenkirk and david cross' fake r&b band. ...

Do any of you remember hearing that funky smooth song that sounds like something from Shaft?  Who sings that?  I feel like I should know but can't remember.

Wow, another life changing Jacket show. I had hoped since i saw that they were playing at the Ryman, that Jim would do Bermuda Highway.

They did do Bermuda Highway at the very end according to Tracy.  Read whole post close.

What does Berm. HWY have to do with the Ryman?  Is there a good story there?  Or am I missing something?

the ghosts at the ryman were dancing through the rafters.  dondante was excruciatingly beautiful.

i have a new favorite jacket show.

Jim said he wore a tie, since playing in the Ryman felt like being in church.

All I know is the gospel never sounded so good.

Hate to burst JJ's suit and tie bubble, but he wore the same thing in Knoxville.  The sunsphere dialogue there was pretty funny.  You guys saw the ghosts at the Ryman too?  Did ya'll see Jim trying to touch one of em?

The Gospel was brought the sermons were delivered.  It was only fitting that the show took place in a church.  Our seats were amazing right up front and it was so intimate.  I loved watching Jim's fingers during the Don Dante solo.  The band puts so much into each performance, I don't see how they do it night after night, there are definatly higher powers at work.  The sound in the Ryman is redonkulous I could really tell it was special when Jim opened with Nashville to Ky and it was just him and the guitar enveloping the room, Carls sax sounded so good in there I thought I was going to faint.  HIlarious when Patrick fixed his drum cymbal just in time to start the song and Jim gave him a high five.  I loved the bear standing right beside Jims stool (as in the thing you sit on) looking up  watching him play "Tonight I Wanna Celebrate With You".  I swear I actually levitate everytime they play "Anytime" and "Mahgeetah".  It's impossible to really put into words what the My Morning Jacket live experience is truly like but I'm sure many of you know what I'm talking about.   :-*

It's true that the band is just gainig momentum with each show.  Sadly my run of shows is over but for all of you that have shows coming up get ready to be taken to church.  It's electrifying, emotional, beuiful, and extremely powerful.  It was great to see everyone, much love to you all.  Till next time.  Love,

Brian

i still can't get over this show. It was a dream come true, and meeting the band afterwards was nice!

I got some videos but two fucks behind me kept talking and you can here them talking on all of them.

The Gospel was righteous fa sho!  I'm not new to the band but new to this forum.  Can someone give me a heads-up on the best way to get a copy of the show?  I've seen tons of bands in many venues, and I'm not shy when I say that this might possibly be the best show I've ever seen/heard.  "Phone Went West">knock on your back door...shewee!

Just got home. Show kicked ass. Mind not able to collect complete thoughts. Sound was the best I've ever heard anywhere. The seats were cool. The security was kinda lame. Meg was hot and I got a hug. Tom was hot but we kept it to the hand shake. Tracey had an awesome jacket. Went by first names and shook alot of hands. Hanging out with vikings was awesome - felt like a second family that I'd been hanging with for years. Seeing Specialist before the show made me feel "at home" as he was the first person I recognized.

Ryman overall was the absolute best experience I've ever had. Alan took some beautiful pictures.

QuoteHanging out with vikings was awesome - felt like a second family that I'd been hanging with for years..

Tho' we only met momentarily, the helmeted brethren deserve serious props. How cool were they!

I met you, Anu?

Quote
Alan took some beautiful pictures.

Can't wait to see them.

It was great meeting everyone, and although Tom's beard made him a prince among men, I give Tracy major cool points for his... luminescent ensemble.

 8)

you know what I'm going to ask... any tapers?  brian?

Brian didn't bring his rig.

I saw a pair of mics on the board last night, but I don't know if they were there for the bands purposes or what.

Brad/ Alan... I just saw some of the pics you guys uploaded to facebook. Why did I leave so early? I could have met the band. I've been waiting three years for that.

Son of a BITCH! I am a dumbass.

Why did I leave early?

I am currently kicking myself in the (dumb) ass.

Oh, and to add insult to injury: I left early b/c I had a 9am class. Woke up, went to class, and it was canceled.

(sigh)  :'(

Quoteyou know what I'm going to ask... any tapers?  brian?

I guess we chickened out.  They Ryman was rock solid in thier policy of no taping.  I don't really want to think about that though.  :'(  I can say that if I had taped you would have heard some really drunk harmonizing from some of the folks around me.  God love em, they were loving the show and I can respect that but it wasn't anything I want to hear more than once.  

One thing that has been sticking to me... the new version of They Ran is absolutely beautiful.

QuoteOne thing that has been sticking to me... the new version of They Ran is absolutely beautiful.

Yes it is.

And how awesome was it when Jim was singing/ jumping around while holding that stuffed animal (looked like a woolly mammoth from where I was)?

First time seeing MMJ.  Been listening to them for a few years now.  Planned to see them at Vandy earlier this year but I had to go train for work that weekend.  Fabulous show.  Was right in front of Jim.  I can't say anything that hasn't been said by anyone else.  The biggest things people need to know is that whenever a band they list plays the Ryman, you go.  Period.  I have seen Ben Harper, Wilco, String Cheese Incident, MMJ, etc there.  All proove to be the best shows that I have seen of said band(Ben Harper is 5 times at the most overall).

I got a few pictures I will post if that is ok.

First one is the aforementioned stuffed animal.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/z0s022/MyMorningJacket102.jpg)

Just rocking out...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/z0s022/MyMorningJacket095.jpg)

Early on before it got "fucking" hot on stage...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/z0s022/MyMorningJacket089.jpg)

I forget what this device is called...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/z0s022/MyMorningJacket125.jpg)

Yep this was a double post...

great pics, thanks for sharing

 :)

(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f296/ycartrob/IMGP3029.jpg)

Got Bucie to autograph it (sez: Don't eat yellow snow)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f296/ycartrob/IMGP3031.jpg)

Thanks for the pics osoZ, Jim looks so good in that suit!

Excellent Pics!

I introduced myself to Bruce last night, actually. I shook his hand and wanted to know his real name, so that I wouldn't have to yell "HOTWHEELS MAN!"...

Now what's the guy's name who does the sound checks? You know, the guy who goes, "YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. HEY, HEY. YEAH, YEAH."

Seriously, though, those guys are the unsung heroes of the band for all the hard work they do before/during/after the shows.

QuoteSeriously, though, those guys are the unsung heroes of the band for all the hard work they do before/during/after the shows.

Quite right.
I met some of the crew after the Astoria show & thanked them for their great work. Jim's guitar guy (is that Bruce? short hair, Slayer T-shirt, lots of tats) couldn't understand why I was thanking him but they do a great, great job that deserves to be acknowledged.

QuoteMeg was hot

Thanks for noticing.  8)

And the guy who does all the mic checks is Dave; he runs the sound equipment.

QuoteI introduced myself to Bruce last night, actually. I shook his hand and wanted to know his real name, so that I wouldn't have to yell "HOTWHEELS MAN!"...

Now what's the guy's name who does the sound checks? You know, the guy who goes, "YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. HEY, HEY. YEAH, YEAH."

Seriously, though, those guys are the unsung heroes of the band for all the hard work they do before/during/after the shows.

QuoteQuite right.  
I met some of the crew after the Astoria show & thanked them for their great work. Jim's guitar guy (is that Bruce? short hair, Slayer T-shirt, lots of tats) couldn't understand why I was thanking him but they do a great, great job that deserves to be acknowledged.

Give it up you guys, you're still not getting backstage. ;)

I was taking my seat as I was reading that, and totally missed the fucking chair. Nice one, haha.


Yeah, but press passes are fine, too.   :P

QuoteGive it up you guys, you're still not getting backstage. ;)

;D

new pics in the gallery.

Yey!  Thanks for new pics CC.

Quote

I really quite enjoyed reading this and identified greatly with your description of how you've come to the place you have with mmj. My own experience was a lot similiar, though it still moves was the album that hooked me. I liked your description so much, though, I quoted you in my blog on the matter.

Thank you kindly for sharing :)

I really enjoyed reading that post too!  And I too, was hooked by It Still Moves, but I LOVE ALL of their music! The early recordings are so awesome!  I am so psyched for the shows in Chicago and Indy - what a LONG and dreadful wait it's been for this puppy!  I've been listening only to Ray Lamontagne, just to take an MMJ break so I'll be TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY when I see them live again - FINALLY!  Then I get to see Ray here in Chicago at the Vic Theater on Tuesday, 11/28!  I have so much to be THANKFUL for this THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D

Here's a longer, more polished review, building from what I already posted. This will be submitted to the webzine Interference.com

My Morning Jacket
Ryman Auditorium,
Nashville, TN
13 November 2006

Earlier this year, I paid premium dollar for tickets to see top, touring bands as diverse as TOOL and Coldplay. As much as I love both of these acts, they did not entirely live up to my appropriately high expectations. When we as fans throw down the equivalent of a paycheck on a show and travel, we should get something eternal. However, a trend is emerging of too short setlists, even for groups playing arenas and charging more than fifty dollars a seat.

I hate to invoke the moralistic concept of a work ethic when it comes to something as adamantly anti-work as rock music, but frankly, for most bands, their "dayjob" has night hours and provides our fix of geeking and freaking—and a damn decent job it appears to be. So, if I'm going to spend a day's or a week's work on a night with my favorite artist, I want the group to—how can we say this delicately—"put out" for more than an hour and not replicate the exact song sequence for every night of a tour.  
 
I share these anecdotal comments about other bands and how they could give their fans more because this demise of a decent setlist is antithetical to what My Morning Jacket (MMJ)—Jim James, Two-Tone Tommy, Patrick Hallahan, Carl Broemel, and Bo Koster—give up every night. These five badass, mothertruckin' Kentucky boys love their work and keep working to please and increase what's still a small and devoted fanbase.
 
After releasing the live double album and accompanying DVD Okokonos, MMJ didn't have to tour. They could have kicked back for a few. MMJ spent much of 2005 and 2006 on tour; gigs are already scheduled into 2007. Jim didn't have to wear a suit and tie Monday night, but he did, because he was going to church. That's what a show at the Ryman is like, y'all, and with unrivaled acoustics and ambiance, the place must be experienced in musical immersion to be fully respected.

In middle Tennessee, many touring alternative rock acts skip us entirely. It's not uncommon for serious rock nerds to travel frequently to Atlanta, Chicago, and St. Louis if they want to catch shows. But My Morning Jacket has visited Nashville twice this year—and that's not including the three-hour early morning session for a huge crowd under and around That Tent at Bonnaroo.

According to The Fader, riding the adrenaline from the 'roo, "The Jacket is the best live band in rock & roll right now. The arrangements are breathtaking—the band storms through huge shred-sections, then stops on a dime for soaring statements from James's voice." Adding to the waves of critical acclaim, Spin named MMJ one of the top live acts in the business. All this backstory offers some context for what an effervescent and enthusiastic, inimitable and inspired act MMJ has become.

When MMJ took the stage at 8:45pm with an eerie yet appropriate "Nashville to Kentucky," the Monday-night, beer-wielding faithful were rapt and ready for a revival of a rocking kind. For the next 130 minutes, the five-piece rolled through almost the entire contents of the breathtaking, breakthrough album Z, interspersed with less-known gems from the three previous albums It Still Moves, At Dawn, and The Tennessee Fire.

Songs such as goose-pimple producing hymns "Gideon," "It Beats for U," "Wordless Chorus," and "One Big Holiday" were already engraved in me before Monday's magic, and their live renderings only further fortified my faith in them. But some tracks, such as the reggae-tinged "Phone Went West" or the sonically searing "Run Thru" finally came home for me at this show.

Since MMJ is still largely ignored by mainstream rock radio, a two-hour live show is not your typical Greatest Hits sampling of singles, and the setlists change frequently, much to the pleasure of the die-hards. Since MMJ is reputably friendly to fans' taping shows, lots of live gigs are available to stream or download for noncommercial purposes from websites like Archive-dot-org.

In a similar sense, the band cannot simply revolve around its mop-headed maestro Jim James, as some groups give too much play to egomaniacal frontpeople. Each member and each instrument contribute to musically complex and emotionally compelling compositions that change with each performance. Even though the band didn't take its short break until 90 minutes into the show, and the encore took us close to the 11'oclock hour, many fans would have stayed out late had MMJ continued.

While the incomparable Jacket sound draws heavily from southern rock, folk, and reverb-soaked indie-rock, the band possesses an undeniable jam-band ethic and aesthetic. Many fans are likely to indulge in various recreational sacraments as part of the concert experience and seek that ego-dissolving, "face-melting," dionysian moment while crunking it up close to the stage. People so primed also love three-hour sets.

When the music finally overtakes you, there's really no turning back. After Z, I became a frequent listener. After the 'roo, I became a fan. This past Monday night, I left the Ryman a believer.  
 
Setlist
1. Nashville To Kentucky
2. Lowdown
3. Gideon
4. What A Wonderful Man
5. Off The Record
6. The Way That He Sings
7. It Beats 4 U
8. Wordless Chorus
9. Phone Went West
10. Lay Low
11. Dondante
12. Xmas Curtain
13. One Big Holiday
14. Run Thru
15. They Ran
ENCORE
16. Tonight I Want To Celebrate With You
17. The Bear
18. Golden
19. Anytime
20. Mahgeetah
21. At Dawn
22. Bermuda Highway

Wonderful written work.  

The show was, of course, gorgeous.  Nice to talk to some of you there, as always.  I'm working on making it to Louisville.  We'll see what I can do!

more ryman in the gallery.

QuoteMany fans are likely to indulge in various recreational sacraments as part of the concert experience and seek that ego-dissolving, "face-melting," dionysian moment while crunking it up close to the stage. People so primed also love three-hour sets.

My face was definitely melting at Bonnaroo and in DC.  Oh how I love this band.  There are truly no words that can even begin to describe that feeling when you cease to exist as an individual and become the music itself.