Miss. Nights Review

[LaurieBlue]

http://www.studlife.com/media/paper337/news/2005/11/30/Cadenza/Thank.God.For.Jim.James-1115973.shtml?norewrite&sourcedomain=www.studlife.com

Thank God for Jim James
By: Cody Elam
Issue date: 11/30/05 Section: Cadenza
Article Tools: Page 1 of 1

I've often thought about how much I wish I could go back and see at least one concert by one of the great rock bands from the classic rock era. Sure, I've seen plenty of old fogies in summer shows at outdoor amphitheaters, but nothing can compare to seeing a band play in its moment.

My Morning Jacket's performance last Tuesday night at Mississippi Nights was probably the closest I could get to seeing a classic rock band play as it was in the '70s. Raw rock energy and grit hung in the dark smoky air, so much so that My Morning Jacket seemed like one of the most truly genuine live performers of our generation - the band didn't resign itself to be the indie rock band that plays its songs verbatim or the type of jam band that jams just for the sake of jamming. My Morning Jacket never left a song with a feeling of wanting more or with that feeling of wanting the song to end ("goddamn it!"). Sprouting long hair and shaggy beards and wearing dark clothes, they stunk of that vintage vibe.

Lead singer and guitar player Jim James acted like a true rock star, his high warble bleeding into the air while his guitar solos screamed like a coyote from his own Kentucky woods. Late into a magnificent jam on "Lay Low," I realized that every member of the group was doing something really special: making as much noise as they could but still adding the perfect touch for that genuine hard-rocking rock and roll blend. James and guitarist Johnny Quaid shared spread-leg poses while twisting and turning their mopheads along with dueling guitar wails. The closer, "Anytime," was the obvious favorite, a powerful guitar-driven tune from beginning to end.

The band played most heavily from their recent release, "Z," followed by an scattering of tunes from their older albums. They split their time playing songs of different styles, some acoustic and folksy, allowing listeners to soak up the subtleties of James' voice, some from the ethereal and psychedelic realm that glues you down to the moment, and the rest characteristic of head banging and eardrum-blowing rock and roll.

James' personality came out not only onstage and in his music but in a story he shared about the Phil Collins song "Against All Odds." He recalled driving through the woods on a crisp fall day with the windows down and belting out the song so loudly that the tissue in his nose exploded blood all over his face. It was a weird "country-boy Jim James" meets "pop-music Jim James" story. Thank God we have him.

[cmccubbin25]

was Quaid there or did this guy just get it wrong?

[marino13]

No Quaid.  He got it wrong.

[Dee.]

Against All Odds?  Right on.  :)

[marino13]

It was a funny story and he even sang a little bit of it.  This was my first MMJ show and I am blown away.  It was one of those moments where everything aligned for me.  My interest in the band had been growing exponentially over the last year, and then I see them in an awesome venue.  They are now easily my favorite band.  Studio albums are amazing.  Awesome live shows with some length and changed up setlists.  Adding something to the songs, but without the self-indulgent jamming. Being all about the music and fans and not feeling the need to spend a half hour of the show talking politics.  Yes, yes, yes!!! 8)

[chonser]

I agree it was a rousing show--right on par with the previous ones at Miss. Nights.

However, I must stringly disagree that it's a good venue.  Actually, I think it's a terrible one, especially if it's packed.  The sight lines are terrible and the sound is average. Smoke doesn't really bother me, but it is one of the smokiest places on the face of the earth.

I know it's historic and what not, but I get increasingly frustrated with it, and I've seen plenty of shows there.  It's okay if its half crowded.

Although I did get my request played--The St. Louis Arch Song.

[chonser]

One more thing--the crowd was lame.

How are you going to stand, dead still, in the front rows while the guys are obviouldy rocking their asses off, putting a ton of energy into the show?  Must be them damn hipsters--too cool to dance.  The band feeds off of the the crowd's energy, and they weren't getting in return what they were putting out.  Not from the dopes around me at least.

Also, the former post should read "previous one," as this was only their second show at Miss. Nights.

[marino13]

I can't say that I disagree with your comments on Miss. Nights.  I should qualify my statement that I saw MMJ at an "awesome" venue.  It was awesome to me because it was a small venue and I was front and center right behind the wall of the pit.  To be able to see MMJ in that atmosphere was cool for me.  However, my wife was especially bothered by the smoke and the crowd wasn't the greatest.  

[peanut butter puddin surprise]

Against All Odds?  Right on.  :)

total co-ink-a-dink...that movie was on AMC the other day.....

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

yeah, the crowd sometimes ruins an otherwise fab show experience.  what to do?  be a nazi and force everyone to be the same, or try to ignore the idgits??

[TheLink]

the Boston crowd was just as lame.  I just piss them off by being especially animated in my drunken air guitar beer spillin fun.  The only thing that bothers me a bit is that all the hipsters crowd up the front to just stand there arms crossed and staring blanky at the band.  Move motherfukcers!  I know you can do it. >:(  I am a Nazi. ;D

[marino13]

I have to admit that I didn't pay much attention to the crowd.  When my eyes were open, I was either totally focused on the band or looking at my wife for approval.  The crowd at this show wasn't bad enough totally ruin the experience.  I remember a Black Crowes show I went to in Rockford a few weeks after 9/11.  The place was only about half full and most of the crowd just wanted to hear Hard to Handle.  Totally ruined the vibe and the Crowes played one of their shortest shows of the tour.

[TheLink]

seems to happen at Black Crowes show a lot.  I went to a show in 99 up here in MA and someone in the crowd threw a shoe onstage and Chris flipped out and finished the show after 6 songs.  Then, the crowd was pissed and there was only 1 way out of the show as it was at some small Polish club.  Man, I thought I was going to get tampled like at a Who show man.  Yea, jacket crowds are chill, but not very fun at times.  Oh well, can't complain about that.

[wellfleet]

i know i'm chiming in a little late, but that's just piss-poor reporting if you can't be bothered to check out the band's bio and learn that quaid is no longer with the band. uh... duh! and how big a fan are you if you don't even know the names?