Jim's change over the years

[ruralt]

I imagine if Jim ended up having to get surgery for his back then he's probably doing everything he can to make sure he doesn't make it worse - he seems a bit health conscious anyway. I have two herniated discs and even with it not being bad enough to require surgery it gives me hell a LOT. Just standing up near the front in Austin for a couple of hours had my back hurting like hell for the rest of the night. A guy I worked with had to have surgery for his and it still didn't fix it completely, so I can't imagine what Jim has to put up with. And it won't get better as he gets older. I doubt a doctor would recommend an extensive tour after back surgery, even if he had some time to recover beforehand.

I think it's a combination of his back and the mystique thing as previously mentioned. I'd hazard a guess he was told to take it easy, no going crazy on stage like before, so you might as well make the most of it and work it to your benefit somehow.

[wcazcooper95]

As far as Jim changing over the years, I think we can all agree that he has become less mobile. Looking at videos as far back as 2003 Jim can be seen rocking and jamming his face off, which IN MY OPINION made Jacket's stage presence a little better than it is today. This behavior was even apparent up until he did his solo album. I know he has had back problems and he is also getting older, but his stage presence has changed over the years. Not to say I don't like the new mystical Jim, pretty cool idea if you ask me, but I hope some day we can see Jim like he used to be.

Now getting to the biggest opinion based part of this thread, Jim's drug use. In interviews Jim has mentioned smoking joints several time, so we know that is around. Now as far as acid and hallucinogens no one will ever really know what he has done unless he comes out and says so. Having previously watched all of Jacket's performances at Red Rocks I could find it is apparent that place has some sort of effect on the band as a whole, those shows seem to always be incredible. Now whether it is just the forces that converge at that one special place, or some substance, we will never know, but the shows at Red Rocks always make to seem the band have a different type of aura about them.

[.Walt]

I look for what's new since the last time. There was a lot of ET one finger touches with the crowd, that was interesting.

[kholl44]

As far as Jim changing over the years, I think we can all agree that he has become less mobile. Looking at videos as far back as 2003 Jim can be seen rocking and jamming his face off, which IN MY OPINION made Jacket's stage presence a little better than it is today. This behavior was even apparent up until he did his solo album. I know he has had back problems and he is also getting older, but his stage presence has changed over the years. Not to say I don't like the new mystical Jim, pretty cool idea if you ask me, but I hope some day we can see Jim like he used to be.

Now getting to the biggest opinion based part of this thread, Jim's drug use. In interviews Jim has mentioned smoking joints several time, so we know that is around. Now as far as acid and hallucinogens no one will ever really know what he has done unless he comes out and says so. Having previously watched all of Jacket's performances at Red Rocks I could find it is apparent that place has some sort of effect on the band as a whole, those shows seem to always be incredible. Now whether it is just the forces that converge at that one special place, or some substance, we will never know, but the shows at Red Rocks always make to seem the band have a different type of aura about them.

He has said before that drugs have been a part of their process (but not that they necessarily still are), and has told several stories about acid trips in his younger days... I wouldn't be surprised if some songs like "I Think I'm Going To Hell" were directly inspired by a trip.
Perhaps we will never know what substances, if any, their pre-show routine might include, but in my opinion they take their jobs very seriously and wouldn't risk getting too fucked up just to get on some other level... They can do that sober.
When I saw them at Bonnaroo this year I was 100% not sober, and was amazed- best feeling ever! But I was so convinced that they're magic without drugs that I went to see them again at Forecastle, this time 100% sober. Comparing the 2 shows, there was no doubt in my mind that MMJ sober was still a better high than any drug I've tried.
I'd like to think Jim and the boys feel the same way about playing together.

As for Jim liking weed... I was lucky enough to share a joint with him once upon a time so I can vouch for that :)
He also prefers tequila over bourbon... go figure

[buymycar]

Why is this thread still open?