Let's play a game.

[jones]

Wordless Chorus, Bonnaroo 2006

This song was the opener for my first live MMJ experience.  When Jim came out on stage with a cape and lantern, that image was burned into my brain.  I was on the rail and happened to be right in front of the subwoofers, so the opening notes literally melted my face.

[Crispy]

As much as I would rather not repeat choder, et. al., I also have to go with Steam Engine. I'll make it the Radio City version, though, because I can visualize it, especially the ascent to the balcony...

<---------------------------------------------------------

(Second choice is Cobra)

[manicfanatic]

Steam Engine- Okonokos version

If I had to pick a studio version, it would be The Way That He Sings

[Crispy]

Studio Where to Begin or Osaka Gideon
EDIT:  This hasn't gotten enough love on this board

http://www.archive.org/details/mmj2009-02-06.ecm719.flac16

Whoa! I finally heard this, outstanding! Cool improv, working in the Evil Urges breakdown at the end...

[FiddleCastro]

Lay Low

This song is very satisfying and the solo gets me. Every. Time.

Same, feelin the Okonokos version

[el_chode]

Studio Where to Begin or Osaka Gideon
EDIT:  This hasn't gotten enough love on this board

http://www.archive.org/details/mmj2009-02-06.ecm719.flac16

Whoa! I finally heard this, outstanding! Cool improv, working in the Evil Urges breakdown at the end...

Ho
Lee
Shit
Wow

EDIT:

Touch Me pt 2 into Run Thru's thunderdome of sound and nearly instant-clock arms (I'm assuming)? AWESOME

That guy who is next to the mic during the set break? Sorry if that's one of you, but STFU

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

Careless Whisper.

[goose]

Tough call:  the top threefor me are:

Okonokos Lay low
War Begun- Live from Nashville
RS solo- Steam Engine

I think I will go with War Begun- Nashville.  the crescendo in that song is truly amazing.  You can feel it through the speakers.

[Ruckus]

Studio Where to Begin or Osaka Gideon
EDIT:  This hasn't gotten enough love on this board

http://www.archive.org/details/mmj2009-02-06.ecm719.flac16

Whoa! I finally heard this, outstanding! Cool improv, working in the Evil Urges breakdown at the end...

Ho
Lee
Shit
Wow

EDIT:

Touch Me pt 2 into Run Thru's thunderdome of sound and nearly instant-clock arms (I'm assuming)? AWESOME

That guy who is next to the mic during the set break? Sorry if that's one of you, but STFU

Awesome!  I'm glad you guys gave it a listen.  It's the kind jam we jacket nerds wish we got more of.  I mean that jam came out of left field when they never did anything like it on the entire tour as far as I know and at least for Gideon.  I wish I was there for that!

Dboy was at the show.  I think it may have been him ;)  If it wasn't Dboy, I would have smacked him with the back of my right hand then done the same with my left.

[el_chode]

Studio Where to Begin or Osaka Gideon
EDIT:  This hasn't gotten enough love on this board

http://www.archive.org/details/mmj2009-02-06.ecm719.flac16

Whoa! I finally heard this, outstanding! Cool improv, working in the Evil Urges breakdown at the end...

Ho
Lee
Shit
Wow

EDIT:

Touch Me pt 2 into Run Thru's thunderdome of sound and nearly instant-clock arms (I'm assuming)? AWESOME

That guy who is next to the mic during the set break? Sorry if that's one of you, but STFU

Awesome!  I'm glad you guys gave it a listen.  It's the kind jam we jacket nerds wish we got more of.  I mean that jam came out of left field when they never did anything like it on the entire tour as far as I know and at least for Gideon.  I wish I was there for that!

Dboy was at the show.  I think it may have been him ;)  If it wasn't Dboy, I would have smacked him with the back of my right hand then done the same with my left.

The only jam outs like that I'm used to are the various "easy morning rebel jams" where they work that staccato'd outro into other songs. 'Roo 2006 is the first that comes to mind, but I'm pretty sure it's happened a few times.

That show sounds intimate as hell though, and they really open up the songs. I'm really f'n jealous...a few more listens and I may swap out my choice for the purposes of the game to that touch me/run thru combo

[Jbones72]

Where To Begin- [Elizabethtown soundtrack version] it's the tune that helped me discover this great band, for that I'm eternally grateful!

A close second would be Lay Low, or Steam Engine :)

[weeniebeenie]

Phone Went West- Celebracion De La Ciudad Natal version.

[AMightyCaporal]

Lay Low - Okonokos version.

AMC, what's your pick?

Wow this thread picked up.  its tough, I've given it so much thought

I love touch me pt 1 and 2
phone went west
cobra
where to begin
rollin' back

so many songs.

I think though, for me, I have to go back to the original song that hooked me, one that makes me smile every time I listen.  The one that makes me sing the loudest, Wordless Chorus, Okonokos version.

(ps the Z version hooked me, but the Okonokos version is the one that gets me groovin')

[Sparkle]

Yeah I nearly went for Wordless Chorus but then I listened to Lay Low and the duel guitar solo at the end is just so bad ass that I had to pick it!

Nice thread btw  :)

[ALady]

Steam Engine from Taste of Chicago 2006, with Andrew Bird.  I get stuck on that one more often than I care to admit.

[AMightyCaporal]

Yeah I nearly went for Wordless Chorus but then I listened to Lay Low and the duel guitar solo at the end is just so bad ass that I had to pick it!

Nice thread btw  :)

can't argue your logic on that one. Lay Low is too good for words (as most of their songs are  :) )

glad you like the thread, its fun to see everyones preferences and get introduced to new/different versions of the songs we all love

[goodjam2bn]

I like the ones you all picked especially that one that is 11:07 long, but the bass and guitar on this one is a must have:

Off The Record - Okonokos  8-)

[NoVa_NoLa]

This is a toughie...

Lay Low - any version would keep me happy for a year but,

Then there's The Way That He Sings (still have to decide on a version)...love the swingy bass line...

But, if I had to go with just one, it would probably be Cobra, one of the Bonnaroo versions, I think.

[mlbrady89]

Studio Where to Begin or Osaka Gideon
EDIT:  This hasn't gotten enough love on this board

http://www.archive.org/details/mmj2009-02-06.ecm719.flac16

wow this show just melted my face. you are very right my friend. thanks for posting this! 9 minute gideon! whaaat

[tdb810]

I think I need to change mine.....Was driving yesterday listening to Okonokos, and think I would die if I couldn't hear Steam Engine...

Funny that I thought of this thread while driving, and actually had anxiety at the prospect of not being able to hear certain songs.   Such a gift to be able to hear this band whenever, wherever, whatever!