New songs at OBH2

rincon2 · Jan 22, 2015, 01:14 AM

We all expected some new ones last year, as they had been recording for several months beforehand. Obviously they did not. I sense some strong anticipation for many that they will next week.(OK, 10 days). So, even though I am not going to this one, I have pondered this issue a bit. A few things are notable. First, the sets are shorter this year, and they followed it pretty close to what was announced last year. That means a huge give and take if they play new stuff. Second, I'm assuming downloads of the shows are included, and even unlucky folks like me can pay for the downloads. I really don't think they are going to want to leak more than one or two songs at the most for general distribution. I seems like it would take some serious oomph out of the April release. Is this just a downer idea, or something logical to think about so one does not get bummed if they don't play any new stuff? There is way too much fun to be had there to have unrequited expectations cast a shadow on everything.

mahgeetah · Jan 22, 2015, 01:30 AM

parkervb · Jan 22, 2015, 08:27 AM

I'm not going to OBH, but it would be my expectation that they would play 1-2 new songs. But, I also think rincon2 makes some good points.

My theory for why I think they will play some new tunes is that this is a very special event that attracts the biggest fans and it would be a great way for the band to show appreciation.

BigHerm · Jan 22, 2015, 09:23 AM

It would be great but it's not going to cast a shadow on anything either way. If they play them I doubt they will release the recordings before April - didn't it take a while for them to be released last year?

I think we hear one or two.

markcel · Jan 22, 2015, 09:41 AM

I know they are completely different bands, but Phish did play Fuego in its entirety at their Halloween 2013 show, which I think was immediately available for download, though the studio album was not available until mid-2014. (This is not to say the philosophies of the bands are similar or that I think a lot of new material will be played, but more to say it would not be unprecedented for new material to be released as a live download prior to studio release).

oz_lieb · Jan 22, 2015, 09:59 AM

I could def see them playing 1-2 new songs, and those songs will be the first singles released off the new album. those singles could be released soon after obh even if the album doesn't come out until april. i have a feeling at least 1 new song will be on the 7" for rc members that's supposedly coming w/in the week

subinai · Jan 22, 2015, 10:51 AM

i cant find the interview but i recall when Jim's solo album came out, he wanted to perform the songs live after the album was out. mentioned something about how new songs live are recorded and put on youtube prior to the studio version being released. not sure if this is something he felt specifically for his solo work or if this idea is going to be put forward for MMJ songs too. i also could be totally misconstruing this.

rincon2 · Jan 22, 2015, 12:25 PM

Quote from: subinai on Jan 22, 2015, 10:51 AM
i cant find the interview but i recall when Jim's solo album came out, he wanted to perform the songs live after the album was out. mentioned something about how new songs live are recorded and put on youtube prior to the studio version being released. not sure if this is something he felt specifically for his solo work or if this idea is going to be put forward for MMJ songs too. i also could be totally misconstruing this.

Realistically, some songs were recorded over a year ago. The reason they have not been released is marketing strategy. With various side projects going on, the release of new MMJ is very calculated, as in 2 already completed albums a year apart vs a double album. I believe that philosophy Jim stated for his solo stuff would apply to the band. Just as an example, Let it Bleed, Beggars Banquet, Sticky fingers, and Exile were all released in the amount of time since Circuital came out. MMJ may not be the Stones, but I have read people claiming it takes so long to produce an album nowadays, when in fact, due to technology, it is much easier now. So, they have a definite plan. We can only make educated guesses as to what it is.
(P.S. The term calculated is not intended to be negative in any respect. They have every right in the world to do things the way they want.)

Stevie · Jan 23, 2015, 12:11 AM

It will be very interesting to see what they do. Like someone else said, they have every right to do what they want, but how cool would it be if they played the new album from front to back? Yeah, just saying that out loud... It wont happen. Also would be really cool if they thought of a way to tie OBH into the release for the first single. Maybe just include it as an alternate version kind of thing.

Either way, they will do something cool.

By the way... If i were a die hard phish fan id be angry about them wasting a whole set on that album. They have such a huge catalog! Although, if im a phish fan im probably hitting a bunch of stops on the tour anyway so whatever.

rincon2 · Jan 23, 2015, 03:11 AM

Quote from: Stevie on Jan 23, 2015, 12:11 AM
It will be very interesting to see what they do. Like someone else said, they have every right to do what they want, but how cool would it be if they played the new album from front to back? Yeah, just saying that out loud... It wont happen. Also would be really cool if they thought of a way to tie OBH into the release for the first single. Maybe just include it as an alternate version kind of thing.

Either way, they will do something cool.

By the way... If i were a die hard phish fan id be angry about them wasting a whole set on that album. They have such a huge catalog! Although, if im a phish fan im probably hitting a bunch of stops on the tour anyway so whatever.

I would love it if they played the new album complete. How great would a live version be before the studio? Maybe they can set a precedent. Seriously. But then what about the deep tracks and covers they did not play? Just saying, you can't have it all in a set time frame.

Stevie · Jan 23, 2015, 08:27 AM

I hate to say it, but with the shorter set times and the band's propensity to go cover heavy in certain situations, ive pretty much resigned myself to the expectation that there wont be a ton of deeper cuts. However, im okay with this. Ill save my hopes and dreams for red rocks or some other more musically-serious event and look at this as a really nice vacation in which my favorite band is playing at the resort.

That said, how sweet would it be if they simply cut out songs like: im amazed, off the record, heck even the way he sings, golden, most of circuital, and went with a combination of the 2003 and 2005 era setlists with all the odds and ends that used to show up back then. Its plausible, you have to believe a large contingent of fans from obh 1 are coming back and that was the last set of shows they played...so maybe just this once they break the formula.

rincon2 · Jan 23, 2015, 01:09 PM

Quote from: Stevie on Jan 23, 2015, 08:27 AM
I hate to say it, but with the shorter set times and the band's propensity to go cover heavy in certain situations, ive pretty much resigned myself to the expectation that there wont be a ton of deeper cuts. However, im okay with this. Ill save my hopes and dreams for red rocks or some other more musically-serious event and look at this as a really nice vacation in which my favorite band is playing at the resort.

That said, how sweet would it be if they simply cut out songs like: im amazed, off the record, heck even the way he sings, golden, most of circuital, and went with a combination of the 2003 and 2005 era setlists with all the odds and ends that used to show up back then. Its plausible, you have to believe a large contingent of fans from obh 1 are coming back and that was the last set of shows they played...so maybe just this once they break the formula.

I whole heartily agree with everything you said, except TWTHS. That song live is a drug. A very good drug.

easy way · Jan 25, 2015, 03:42 PM

I'd expect 1-2 new songs per night tops... no more than 3-4 total between all three shows.

I don't think the band is worried about taking away from album sales... between the vinyl packages and revenue generated from the live releases, I'm sure they're hitting their numbers.

Super glad that they've jumped on board with licensed SBD releases!

If anything, I'm sure they're excited to play some new stuff and start the buzz about it all prior to the release and the festival support tour.

Either way... looking forward to whatever they bring our way. Can't wait to see you crazies down on the Riviera!

rincon2 · Jan 25, 2015, 08:36 PM

I would not expect anything. No one knows. But I never implied they would not play the songs due to album sales. I just don't think they want more than one or two leaked before the release. Not for $$ reasons, but I believe, and may be proven wrong, that is just how they feel.

easy way · Jan 26, 2015, 09:09 PM

Quote from: rincon2 on Jan 25, 2015, 08:36 PM
I would not expect anything. No one knows. But I never implied they would not play the songs due to album sales. I just don't think they want more than one or two leaked before the release. Not for $$ reasons, but I believe, and may be proven wrong, that is just how they feel.

Point taken. To 'expect' may be a bit over zealous, though if you look back on each album pre-Circuital, they were playing unreleased material for months prior to the release. Not just a few here and there either... heavy rotation. Below are a few quick examples:

Look at that Mercury Lounge show from February '03... then every show leading up to the September release of ISM. 7 months of pre-release material.

The boys were playing stuff from Z in May of '05 with an Oct. '05 release date.

The shows in '08 had 3 months of EU songs before the June release.

They did the same thing for the first two records and they only played two shows pre-Circuital in 2011... and still touched on a few songs. The point is that if history shows us anything, it's that they are excited to give the fans more than a sneak peak while they work out the new material. Although they've been anything but typical since 2012. I know one thing for sure... they'll bring the HEAT, be it old or new!

rincon2 · Jan 27, 2015, 08:22 PM

I hope they play new songs. With high demand for new covers, deep cuts, and new songs, plus a shorter allotted playtime, it is simply a matter of math that all these wishes will likely not be fulfilled.

getinthevan · Jan 29, 2015, 09:30 PM

I see this thread, and I keep thinking of the night they played at SXSW before Evil Urges came out. We forum folk were hoping for reports that maybe they had played a new song or two, and they played 6, maybe 8 new songs at that show (I think M. Ward opened). It was such a cool thing to see the Evil Urges tour cycle kick off so unexpectedly. I'm not saying that that's not what's about to happen, just that it's happened in the past.

I've been away from the forums for a bit, but I think that we're about to embark on a really excited time in Jacket history.

APR · Jan 29, 2015, 09:41 PM

The surprise factor is going to be great (good surprise potentially but also disappointment surprise if it's Careless Whisper, All Night Long, Hungry Heart again). I like that during MMJ's shows with the in between song guitar/keys/drums noodling you still don't really know what's up next.

getinthevan · Jan 29, 2015, 09:44 PM

Quote from: APR on Jan 29, 2015, 09:41 PM
I like that during MMJ's shows with the in between song guitar/keys/drums noodling you still don't really know what's up next.

I think that's what keep us all coming back.

GO4IT · Jan 29, 2015, 11:50 PM

Quote from: rincon2 on Jan 23, 2015, 01:09 PM
Quote from: Stevie on Jan 23, 2015, 08:27 AM
I hate to say it, but with the shorter set times and the band's propensity to go cover heavy in certain situations, ive pretty much resigned myself to the expectation that there wont be a ton of deeper cuts. However, im okay with this. Ill save my hopes and dreams for red rocks or some other more musically-serious event and look at this as a really nice vacation in which my favorite band is playing at the resort.

That said, how sweet would it be if they simply cut out songs like: im amazed, off the record, heck even the way he sings, golden, most of circuital, and went with a combination of the 2003 and 2005 era setlists with all the odds and ends that used to show up back then. Its plausible, you have to believe a large contingent of fans from obh 1 are coming back and that was the last set of shows they played...so maybe just this once they break the formula.
I whole heartily agree with everything you said, except TWTHS. That song live is a drug. A very good drug.

You've got it right on TWTHS! None better live.

I would be shocked if you don't get a few new tunes off the new album(s).

I hope we also get to hear them ASAP in the rest of the world.