Indianapolis Show 11/25/06

[LaurieBlue]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061126/COLUMNISTS15/611260459/-1/ZONES04

sound effect
Band lives up to all the hype
 
By David Lindquist
david.lindquist@indystar.com

After the onstage hosts of Saturday's "Rock for Riley" benefit concert at Clowes Hall introduced My Morning Jacket as America's greatest live band, the musicians from Louisville, Ky., made it difficult to dispute the hype.
 
My Morning Jacket

• Where: Clowes Hall.
• Bottom line: Well-armed band drops the hammer.
  
Distinguishing themselves as attentive caretakers of their gifts, the members of My Morning Jacket began the show with a five-song stretch that increased intensity at every turn.
Opening number "It Beats for You" pulsed as a controlled simmer under the hand of vocalist-guitarist Jim James.
Drummer Patrick Hallahan moved into the spotlight during following number "Lowdown," which revealed the band's affection for the infectious rhythms of early rock 'n' roll. My Morning Jacket spent some of its 2006 on tour with Pearl Jam, and "Lowdown" could serve as companion piece to Pearl Jam's cover of J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers' "Last Kiss."
For the evening's third song, "Gideon," James allowed his voice to be in the forefront. Unleashing a cry of "Listen, listen," he filled Clowes with a fittingly operatic howl.
Versatility defined song No. 4, "Off the Record." Proving that passable reggae can be routed through Kentucky, James sang in front of a blinding bank of sunny yellow lights to a melody seemingly nicked from the vintage TV series "Hawaii Five-O."
By the fifth song, it was time for My Morning Jacket's signature sound to move front and center. This is a band built on the necks of electric guitars. "One Big Holiday" emphasized this point through monstrous circular riffs played by James and fellow guitarist Carl Broemel.
Indianapolis native Broemel (known locally for his work in Old Pike) embraced his "hammer of the gods" moment.
It's not easy to make an impression when you're playing guitar next to James, who wields a Gibson Flying V and dials in a warm, reverberating tone rooted in the past and unsullied by the present.
A valid reference point might be Alvin Lee pushing Ten Years After into immortality at 1969's edition of Woodstock.
Saturday's concert raised $204,009.22 for Riley Hospital for Children.

[GrassyOne]

KILLER show in Indy!  Bermuda Highway and Gideon were phenomenal.  I was initially concerned about Clowes as a Venue, but it turned out well. The drink line was insane, but the show was incredible.  It was my first MMJ show and it lived up WELL to expectation.

Loved Jim's boots!  

[TFowl]

this show was not nearly as fun as the louisville show, im just being honest.

[benweasel]

I was lucky enough to be in attendance at the show last night, it was awesome!  Gideon was performed w/ great intensity, but I'm a sucker for Run Thru.  I wish I could have heard some "nashville to kentucky" but maybe that's a KY thing we should keep to ourselves :).  The venue was incredible.  MMJ should always play these types of halls, much more enjoyable than some "gardens" type venue.  My only complaint, I was underneath the balcony so when the balloon drop went down I didn't get to throw balloons.  It was really cool though to see them bouncing all around during the INCREDIBLE encore.  This was my 6-7th show, and one of my faves.  Wish they would play a little more around home, maybe a solo show?

Did anyone go to the afterparty at Moe and Johnny's?  I stopped by for a beer, but it seemed just like any crowded sports bar so I left around 1AM and went and found a hotel.  Did anyone else notice that Indy is short on hotels?  You'd think they would have at least one near the venue!

[ChiefOKONO]

This was another EXCELLENT show!!!  Not quite as good as the Chicago gig but we loved it just the same.  
The Bear and then Steam Engine was the highlight I'd say.. it was just simply magnificent and majestic!!! it bowled me over!
Of course though, dondante > run thru is always EPIC and they didn't fail to disappoint, jamming it out and changing that part up a bit which i always dig !
oh yeah and I will sing you songs was simply Sublime!!  
another one of my favorites was Just one Thing!

I also liked the different opener of It Beats for you, it is a great one and sets the mood very well.  Bermuda Highway was also pretty amazing although at that point people were popping balloons from the ceiling and it was kind of distracting.  I also love the new lighting on many of the songs.  It gives a more mystical feel to the stage.  

Jim was wearing a red shirt and a black vest which was a nice change.  I love the fact that they are changing up the sets this tour as well.  I cannot Wait to see them again, they are my favorite band right now!!!

Jacketgirl and I were dancin' our asses off at the end during Mahgeeta and Anytime..  we had a Blast!!!

[elwood77]

TThe Bear and then Steam Engine was the highlight I'd say..

yes! my 6th show, and I finally got to see steam engine. I can die happy. ;D

+1 for the hall. fantastic sound. the only negative was that the voices of the drunken a-holes in the back really carried over the whole room. if there were any recordings made (hope hope), they're certainly marred by some obnoxious shouting.

[ratliflm]

yes! my 6th show, and I finally got to see steam engine. I can die happy. ;D

YES!!!  My 4th show and FINALLY Steam Engine!!!  I flipped out! It was amazing  ;D

[Jim]

Tonight I Want To Celebrate With You


 ;D ;D

[suebeeboo]

Yo Chief! Yo JacketGirl!  Yo Rob! (don't forget about those Raconteur tics for 12/30 - call me!)  You guys are the best!  I agree with Chief's review of the show.  Chicago was definitely better.  You people waiting for drinks downstairs should have come upstairs.

I almost cried during Just One Thing.  It was my absolute favorite song of the night - totally blew me away it was SO BEAUTIFUL!  I also LOVED Jim's little talk about his 2 hour chill by the pond.  He told us about being on the road in lots of big cities you don't get too much down time, so he enjoyed being on the Butler University campus because it was quiet, lots of trees and the pond where he just sat and took a break.  He's such a cool person - what can I say?  He's got the sweetest personality and he's out-of-control talented!  Ya gotta love the guy!

The venue did NOT have the vibe that the Riv did.  I was up in the balcony, and stood in the back dancing the whole time - workin up the lather again!  Everyone else was sitting DOWN the whole time - all I can say is WHATEVER.  To each his own.  I'm only there for me and MMJ.  I could care less what anyone else does.

It was GREAT getting together with Adam for partying in Broadripple after the show!  We started out at Moe & Johnny's and then went over to 62nd Street and The Alley Cat - totally cool bar!  So many wasted college kids partying - it was a blast!  Got back to the hotel for some more drinking and then stumbled up to my room at 4:00 AM!   Whew!  What a gnarly commute back to Chicago yesterday - took 4 freaking hours!  No more INDY or DETROIT for this chiquita - EVER.  Take no offense, it's just my personal evaluation of those two cities on a scale of 1 to 10 is about a negative 5 for both....(please don't get mad at me!)

Well, thanks everyone for letting old Sue vent.  I'm hung-over as hell today.....5 straight nights of balls-out partying ain't easy for an old galster like me!

[BH]

Nice job SueB!  I'm proud of you! I wish i could have went on a mini tour like that!

[BH]

Did they really not play Wordless Chorus?  That's kind of weird.

[dhollensbe]

Did they really not play Wordless Chorus?  That's kind of weird.

Must have read my request to not play that song....

: P

[TFowl]

take no offense, its just chicago people are elitist assholes for the most part.  seriously but take no offense or anything.

[elwood77]

take no offense, its just chicago people are elitist assholes for the most part.  seriously but take no offense or anything.

LMAO ;D

[LaurieBlue]

http://www.musicpix.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=688

Review and photos

[suebeeboo]

take no offense, its just chicago people are elitist assholes for the most part.  seriously but take no offense or anything.

I take no offense whatsoever.   ffffffffffffff you muther fuker- if you don't have a sense of humor.

[grjammer]

hey all...the Indy show absolutely rocked.  Drove down from Grand Rapids, Michigan to see the show. It was my first "official" mmj show other than the two times I saw them open for pearl jam summer.  I'm looking forward to seeing many shows in the future.

Does anyone know if a recording of the show has surfaced yet?  Thanks!

[dhollensbe]

hey all...the Indy show absolutely rocked.  Drove down from Grand Rapids, Michigan to see the show. It was my first "official" mmj show other than the two times I saw them open for pearl jam summer.  I'm looking forward to seeing many shows in the future.

Does anyone know if a recording of the show has surfaced yet?  Thanks!

Didnt see any rigs on the main floor, couldnt tell if there were any in the balconies.....

[grjammer]

hopefully a recording turns up...