Oh Canada!

johnnYYac · Jul 15, 2011, 11:09 AM

Arrived in Montreal 4pm. Checked into Hotel Villa, up to 5th floor in a scary little elevator that DROPS! when it reaches your floor. One room- sink, bed, tiny TV.

Bathroom across the hall. From my window, could see my car and the drug dealers across the street.

But Metropolis is right next door!

Walked to Schwartz's. My tweet:

johnnYYac eats smoked meat @ Schwartz`s. C`est tres magnifique! MMJ in 3.5 hours!

Then back to get in line.

johnnYYac · Jul 15, 2011, 11:26 AM

On line, met Jeremy sporting his Roll Call t-shirt. We hung out the entire night. Good guy!

More tweets...

Scored the first 2 posters! 1 back from the rail, dead center.

Lots of room here. Come join us. Met Jeremy , Northern Neighbor, and his wife. Lights down,

Jake and The Leprechauns were good. Moments away. Guitar techs having fun. Setlist within reach... must resist.

Now for some pictures...

johnnYYac · Jul 15, 2011, 11:30 AM

These are pictures I took at Metropolis. My apologies to the boys for a couple of flashes. I set the camera to NO FLASH, but it resets each time I turned it off and a couple of times, I forgot. D'oh!

johnnYYac · Jul 15, 2011, 11:32 AM

johnnYYac · Jul 15, 2011, 11:34 AM

johnnYYac · Jul 15, 2011, 11:36 AM

Jaimoe · Jul 15, 2011, 11:46 AM

Great pics. Montreal is one of the great cities of the world; too bad about your hotel, but the city does have a seedy side amidst the English-French neighbourhood borders.

johnnYYac · Jul 15, 2011, 11:48 AM

My post-show tweet:

WOW! Honest Man. IWSYS.Evil Urges (been awhile). Dancefloors. epic Dondante! Extended Jim guitar jam @ end of Touch Me 2. Next stop Ottawa!

Now that I have more than 140 characters to play with...

WOW! Honest Man. IWSYS.Evil Urges (been awhile). Dancefloors. epic Dondante! Extended Jim guitar jam @ end of Touch Me 2. Next stop Ottawa!

;)

headhunter · Jul 15, 2011, 11:51 AM

great posts john and great pictures too. looks like u had a typical blast! wets my appetite for my upcoming shows.

Crispy · Jul 15, 2011, 11:53 AM

Great stuff Johnny, thanks! Seeing Schwartz's again makes me hungry!

johnnYYac · Jul 15, 2011, 11:53 AM

Quote from: Jaimoe on Jul 15, 2011, 11:46 AM
Great pics. Montreal is one of the great cities of the world; too bad about your hotel, but the city does have a seedy side amidst the English-French neighbourhood borders.

Most cities have their great and their not-so-great parts. Human struggle amid urban design. Some fluorish, others fail. Its why I often avoid the tourist view of a city.

johnnYYac · Jul 15, 2011, 12:12 PM

Oh, I'm not finished!

Seriously, I went to the Montreal show looking forward to the one or two rare gems they seem to have thrown into every setlist this tour. When one turned out to be Honest Man, I was initially let down as I'd seen it a few times and still have a pile I'm waiting to see (The Bear, War Begun, etc....). But they TORE IT UP! I've still yet to see the video posted by O, but will put it here on faith.

My Morning Jacket -- Honest Man -- Live at the Metropolis, July 12 2011

And I Will Sing You Songs was like watching something musically erotic. Like someone else said, I was surprised at how pleased I was to have Evil Urges return. We'd taken it for granted, I suppose.

Dancefloors is getting the Steam Engine treatment. From rare to regular, but that's ok. And Dondante was spectacular.

Finally, I'll mention some extended jams to Touch Me Part 2. He's been having more fun noodling on the Omnichord, something appreciated by anyone who's had the pleasure of playing one. Jim also had an extended guitar outro into the Omnichord outro that was a nice treat.

EDIT: Okay, just watched the Honest Man video. Yeah! Couldn't help but notice my bald head a'bobbin' as well.

Saw myself take a few pictures I haven't posted yet.

Penny Lane · Jul 15, 2011, 12:21 PM

Great pics, Johnny! I could go for some Honest Man.

johnnYYac · Jul 15, 2011, 12:49 PM

Day Two...

La Banquise. Coffee! Heaping mound of bacon, onion, gr. pepper, cheese curd atop a bed of fries smothered in gravy... Poutine Matty!

Nothing but light beer until MMJ in Ottawa!

Jaimoe · Jul 15, 2011, 12:50 PM

Quote from: johnnYYac on Jul 15, 2011, 11:53 AM
Quote from: Jaimoe on Jul 15, 2011, 11:46 AM
Great pics. Montreal is one of the great cities of the world; too bad about your hotel, but the city does have a seedy side amidst the English-French neighbourhood borders.
Most cities have their great and their not-so-great parts. Human struggle amid urban design. Some fluorish, others fail. Its why I often avoid the tourist view of a city.

Very true. Montreal is very safe a la Toronto. I'd move there if it weren't for the constant threat of Quebec separating from Canada.

BTW, I'm more of a fan of traditional poutine, which is just cheese curds, beef gravy and some nice home cut fries.

johnnYYac · Jul 15, 2011, 01:04 PM

Quote from: Jaimoe on Jul 15, 2011, 12:50 PM
Quote from: johnnYYac on Jul 15, 2011, 11:53 AM
Quote from: Jaimoe on Jul 15, 2011, 11:46 AM
Great pics. Montreal is one of the great cities of the world; too bad about your hotel, but the city does have a seedy side amidst the English-French neighbourhood borders.
Most cities have their great and their not-so-great parts. Human struggle amid urban design. Some fluorish, others fail. Its why I often avoid the tourist view of a city.

Very true. Montreal is very safe a la Toronto. I'd move there if it weren't for the constant threat of Quebec separating from Canada. Did you do any sightseeing or hit up some of the nightlife other than the show itself?

Y'know, I didn't do much sightseeing. After the show, I hung out with some folks, met Eric Meyers (MMJ tour manager), then went upstairs and tried to sleep. Too much noise from Ste Catherine kept me up, though.

johnnYYac · Jul 15, 2011, 01:21 PM

In Ottawa, arrived too early to check in to my hotel, so walked to the Bluesfest site.

Some random tweets:

So, it took me 10 shows over 3 years to realize Patrick plays barefoot... or is this something new?

Responding to Patrick: @patrickhallahan Thank you! Last night in Montreal, you were mighty! Listening to soundchecks in Ottawa right now, sounds like... AC/DC?

Ottawa soundcheck: Im Amazed. Sounds good, here in the condo lot across the street.

Carl`s pedal steel sings across this urban bleakscape... You Wanna Freak Out? C`mon!

Golden fights the wind to reach my ears. God, I love this band.

Victory Dance! Hell, soundcheck is turning into quite a nice set. Setting sun!!!

joel · Jul 15, 2011, 01:51 PM

Both the Montreal and Ottawa shows were fantastic! Those are some awesome pictures. :)

johnnYYac · Jul 15, 2011, 02:27 PM

Got to Bluesfest proper at 6 PM, hooked up with Northern Neighbour and wife, but got edged out for a while...

Waiting to reclaim the rail from Miguel (?) fans. : (

It was not good. No offense to Miguel fans (anyone?). Seems he's been on Leno, talked up on Billboard and Rolling Stone, but his band SUCKED! It was underwhelming to say the least.

johnnYYac · Jul 15, 2011, 02:42 PM

Finally, Jacket time nears. Joined by Rob (GO4IT) and wife Terri (a great couple, we met at Newport last year), sharing the rail with Ben, Carol, a couple of live MMJ virgins, and a random assortment of other folks.

MMJ started at 9 PM, fifteen minutes earlier than scheduled! Thank you!!!

Great solid show, no rarities but top notch performances and excellent sound.

Post-show tweets:

Whew! Finally got the TRUE rail! 2 solid hours, sound mix was excellent. Thanks, Ryan!

After show drinks with Rob & Terri, Ben & Carol. Sounds like a 70`s swingers movie. Boom chika wah wah!

Rob (GO4IT) shares his setlist over post-show drinks and snacks. Thanks to Ben and Carol (another fine couple) for the rides and covering our bar tab. I owe you.