Dallas review (Part Two - long, overindulgent)

[George_Savage]

these new fans aren't familiar with first three albums?    Maybe not the first one,  or At Dawn, but I figure that the majority knows them all – hell, if they don't, then they should, right?!?    It was during this song that Jim *may* have recognized me and smiled; only he knows for sure, but he appeared to look directly at me, smile real big and I yelled "Jimmy!"   As you know, most parents have nicknames for their kids, and I've always called him 'Jimmy' – he either did or he didn't, as my old friend Casey used to say.   And I'm either delusional or I'm not!   Maybe he looked at somebody right around me and smile, maybe I imagined the whole thing, maybe I need a straightjacket installed!    Still, though, as I used to tell them, "No punches thrown, no restraining orders issued!"   Though Danny did once sign a poster to me "Low Dog, thanks for your years of support...and stalking!"    For the record, I'm not a stalker!
     During Phone Went West, Dondi and I just shook our heads at Brad's decision to forego this momentous event!    I'm usually the Dumbass, but this night he took the crown!     God Bless Brad, but he missed a helluva show.   Jim kind of sing parts of this one a little bit different.   He seemed to pause for a bit before singing "they'll be a knock on your back door" – damn, what a song, what a group!!!!   Jim was all over the stage all night, and at times he wore a towel over his head and face.   I'm guessing that was just to sop up the sweat, but I could be wrong.   I'd read that he'd done Librarian in Iowa, and I thought that if he was going to do it, he'd do it here at this solo point.   Instead we got Bermuda Highway and I was reminded of its' beauty.   Nuff sed.    Look At You was great, that's a favorite of mine from the new record.   Dondante was just as great as ever; the crowd loved Smokin from Shootin and we all went berserk during Touch Me Part 2.    Jim was doing that little keyboard intro  and it was exceptional.   It was a perfect touch, and this was a perfect song to end the first set with.   I don't like dance music much, but this song is just the type of song to make me want to like it a lot!    Of course, with My Morning Jacket's own little touch and interpretation, it's another figurative 'home run' out of the friggin' park.   They can STILL do no wrong!   I laughed out loud when they did that little ending like the record.   They slowed it down  and then that scream and "okay, cool" – at that point both Carl and Jim kind of ran off the stage together.   They crouched over as they ran, as though they were dodging gunfire.   It was hilarious!  
     They took probably four to five minutes to re-enter to a thunderous ovation.   It was well-deserved, but what we didn't realize yet was the special surprise just around the corner.   They started into a song and I wasn't sure what it was.    Dondi had asked me in the car on the way over to Dallas if I thought that they'd play Tyrone.   I quickly dismissed it!   Obviously, I didn't have a clue, but I didn't think that they'd played it in years.    I'd never heard the band play it, but Jim had sung it a few times in the early days, including the first-ever show for me: October 25, 2001 (a date which shall live in infamy)   After about 30 seconds I turned to her and said "This may be 'Tyrone'"   And quickly we never that it was!  
     The article on MMJ from last Thursday's paper mentioned Tyrone.   And in that article Jim said that it was be a 'dream come true' to be able to play with Erykah Badu.   It may have already been in the planning stages at that point, who knows?   The article mentioned that MMJ possibly recorded the song just so Jim could sing his own name.  She wrote 'you gotta bring Jim, James, Paul, and Tyrone' (I think those are the name)    When she came out, glorious Afro and all, the crowd went absolutely ballistic!   The band was obviously honored to have her up there.   Jim's dream came true, and it made this show just that much more special.    Jim said "we're fired up now!" after she left.  And they acted like it.   I know I've never seen a 40-45 minute encore by 'em, and that helped Dallas' cause to another 15-20 minutes of pure joy, I think!
     He donned the cape again for Wordless Chorus –a huge crowd favorite, and everybody sang along.  It didn't matter if we sounded awful or not – that song begs to be sung!     Highly Suspicious was another crowd favorite.   I like it, but it's down on the list of my favorites from the album.   Most of the happy throng appeared to not know Cobra, which is pretty understandable.   I was very happy to hear it again.  They played the same 3/7 of the song (I maintain that Cobra is broken into seven parts) that they played live at Exit/In on June 20, 2004, the first time I heard it live.   It fit well into the mix of the show's vibe.    Jim was doing a comedy bit with his guitar during this one.   I was laughing my ass off; he'd hold the guitar up and then turn it to the side or upside down.   It reminded me of those guys in the marching bands with rifles.    Then to the rockers:  Anytime, Run Thru, and OBH.  Dondi had asked me about OBH as well, and I thought that maybe they'd retired it.   I was dead wrong, and it's still probably their most beloved song.    Everybody sang along to it, and loudly.   Well, this is another long and drawn-out mess, but I figure why not carry on the tradition of meaningless meanderings!?    MMJ=greatness, love, absurdity, goodness, brilliance, history, and all-around badass-ishness!    I heart my boys!     As always, you never were a drawback, always were an asset!    MMJ rules.   And "there is no 'off' position for the genius switch" –Letterman      Thanks for the memories and for the music, y'all.  

     So Dondi goes to get a T-shirt and I go to get in line for the bathroom.   I'm standing there and these two dudes in front of me, approximately 20 years old are talking.   Everybody was probably just worn out by the intensity of what we'd just witnessed.  There were happy folks all around the place.   And one of these guys says that "Highly Suspicious has *got* to be the best thing that they've ever done.   It just makes you feel good to hear it"    To which I thought, "good answer about the feeling good part, but I'd choose a different song for 'best'.   To each their own, though – at least they're digging the Jacket!      I couldn't wait to tell Brad about this; and predictably he scoffed.    Again, to each their own.    He just doesn't dig this new album much, but I think he would if he'd listen a little bit more.    We drove back to Campbell  (55 miles) and got some Taco Bell and talked about the show's greatness in front of him.   We still couldn't convince him that he'd missed anything of worth.
     Fast-forward about six hours – I get to sleep about 3, wake up at 8 AM and I started thinking about going to church.   I am a Baptist by my upbringing, but I have attending, on and off, the Wesley United Methodist church in Greenville (neighboring town) for about four years.    I hadn't been in six months but I did make it over there yesterday and I enjoyed it.   One of the funnier things (of course, funny is subjective – and I am easily amused) is that we sang an old hymn that made me think of MMJ.   I can't recall it, but If you have your Methodist Hymnal handy there by your computer, it's No. 158!   The chorus includes "Allelujah" and "Amen" – I think it's the third of three verses that includes the phrase "Heaven's blissful shore" – so naturally, having just sung this a few hours ago at the MMJ show, I changed the lines to "Heaven's golden shore" when it came to that part of the song.   Nobody seemed to notice; well, maybe God did, but I'll sure that He'll understand, right?!?   I mean it's a nod to MMJ and that can't be wrong.  
     Lastly, please forgive the length if this thing even makes it onto the forum!  And I'm not going to even try to proofread this mess, sorry for the errors!   Please consider burning a copy of this show for Ol' Low Dog if it surfaces; and I damn sure hope that it does!   What a scorcher!   To paraphrase Sidney Poitier in To Sir, with Love, "the whole world's waiting for you...you're a smasher!" (the tape, if it surfaces).     Long live MMJ, God Bless 'em!

Low Dog
"goodnight everybody....everybody....everywhere!" –The Beatles, '68

[kymomandstuff]

Great review George!
I saw them in Louisville on August 16th and I can attest to the "magic" you described.These guys just keep getting better.I've concluded the "magic" isn't really magic at all but the fact that each member of MMJ has mastered his craft like a ninja.
I hope they never stop doing what they do or doing it together.In my 42 years I've seen dozens of shows but none better than My Morning Jacket.IMHO they really are the best live band ever.

[theswede]

Are you the famous Low dog who got War begun dedicated from Jim during the austin show in 2003  :)

[Kory]

George is in fact the famous Low Dog.

Good to see you back around George, I live to read your stories!

[Angry Ewok]

I love that George just sort of flies in here with pages of notations, but doesn't proof read the stuff... I don't know why, but with the random typos and whatnot, you just get the vibe that he's still sort of drunk from the reverb. Its cool. Its a good thing.

[mymonkeyfriend]

awesome play by play. i was there and wanted to write something like this. that show was incredible. i have seen them plenty of times before, and each time, i think they will not top what i just saw. then they do. Everytime i see them, i get a 2 day depression/hangover that i wont see them again for a while. i just cannot get sick of these guys no matter how hard i try. this has to be our generations led zep/allmann brothers. mmj may not be as big, yet. i am almost 30 and been into a ton of bands. i have not connected with one like this ever. sometimes i feel like  dumbass becuase i cram mmj the throats of everyone i know.

incredible, i dont know what else to say about them.

[Love Dogg]

Low Dog, it's nice to finally meet you.  I'm not one to hang on to the longer posts, but I had a feeling there was something special to be said in these.  Your words are unique to you, but understood by all.  Thank you for coming around.  And thank you for all those March 2002 shows!  And when this tape surfaces, I will include your review in the insert.  Thank you, sir.
Toby  

[Crispy]

Wow, a Low Dog sighting - always a pleasure to read your reviews! And I can't believe I missed a Dallas show for the first time in 4 years - and they whip out Tyrone!

Everytime i see them, i get a 2 day depression/hangover that i wont see them again for a while. i just cannot get sick of these guys no matter how hard i try. this has to be our generations led zep/allmann brothers. mmj may not be as big, yet. i am almost 30 and been into a ton of bands. i have not connected with one like this ever. sometimes i feel like  dumbass becuase i cram mmj the throats of everyone i know.

THIS.

[BH]

Thanks George!  Good to hear from you.  Hope things are well, all the way around! :)

[Adamn13er]

great review.  i was also there and it was amazing.  i saw them at bonnaroo also.  sidenote:  they played tyronne there too.  i enjoyed the dallas show more, just because i wasn't getting monsooned on.  badu was also a huge wonderful suprise.  Its sad to think i won't be able to see them again for awhile.....

[TemplePilot]

Did anyone get pictures of this show?  The photo gallery on the site skips right over this date :(

[mymonkeyfriend]

this show was so intense, even the local sports radio station packed up and went. and now they are breaking from talking about the shitty cowboys to discuss how awesome the show was.

[George_Savage]

Thanks George!  Good to hear from you.  Hope things are well, all the way around! :)

Thanks for all of the comments regarding my post, folks.  You are a kind bunch.   Have fun at the shows!  It's impossible not to experience a wonderful feeling during these events!  We hold these truths to be self-evident.   Keep me in mind if a tape does surface!   Still kicking myself for not taping...ugh!   I'm off to Houston for an Astros game tomorrow - then around Houston to find various "Brewster McCloud" sites - Brewster McCloud is a Robert Altman film from 1970, shot in the Astrodome and around Houston.  It's hilarious, I recommend it if you can find it.  Or holler at me and I'll see if I can send it to you if you are interested.    I'll be camping tonight in the Davy Crockett National Forest near Crockett and Nacodoches, Texas (look that up in your Rand-McNally!)...I'll have plenty of MMJ by the campsite on my jambox tonight...and other stuff like New Morning, Gram, and other stuff I've been into lately.   Long live the Jacket!

Low Dog
"any time your war gets out of hand I'll take it on"

[tinyorangepig]

this show was so intense, even the local sports radio station packed up and went. and now they are breaking from talking about the shitty cowboys to discuss how awesome the show was.

as so the ticket did cover it?  what did they say about it?  Corby was standing right by us on Jim's side in amazement.

[mymonkeyfriend]

were you in the front? i was on the rail, just to the right of the band. corby emailed me to say they went, it blew thier minds, and they would be talking about it on the air. but, i missed the segment