BeRKeLeY - Sept 19th, 2008 * The Greek *

[pawpaw]

I've got to start out by saying, that on Tuesday I really didn't think I'd be able to go to this show. At that time, I had an impossible Friday deadline which I knew I'd be working into the night on...BUT, I ended up getting an extension. I'm at work today, but damn right I made it to the Greek!

It's been a dry year here in California...it hasn't rained a drop in most of the state since early Spring. Sho nuff though, leading up to the scheduled showtime there was a heavy drizzle/light rain soaking the Greek Theatre and surrounding eucalyptus groves. Probably about 15 minutes before they started, the rain stopped, and things remained dry through the show. It was just a short, oddly timed, late summer rain storm, gettin' the crowd good and primed for a monster of a performance.

We were sitting about 10 rows behind the sound board - perfect, elevated view and LOUD! It was really interesting to see the scale of their concerts now...it's quite a production! Great lights, large venue, and a BOOMING, stomach quaking sound! Damn, they were fucking LOUD! (In a great way, of course). I will agree with another poster though, Carl and Bo were too low in the mix. Jim's voice sounded wonderful, and STRONG! And it seems to me like the mix was better suited for the EU songs, a little unbalanced for some of the older stuff. But this is now, and I really can't complain - get me into a Jacket show, anywhere, and I'm flying high!

Props to Funky! I saw the flag dude, it looked GREAT! During Jim's first, between song conversation with the crowd, he was thanking us for waiting through the storm, and he likened the rain soaked hills of Berkeley to a Scottish battlefield. During the rant, mid-sentence, he sees Funky hold up his flag from the middle of a densely packed floor, and says "whoa. That's Awesome!" Funky, I felt really happy for you man! You totally got some recognition from THE MAN for a job well done!

As far as the songs, well, they were just SO GOOD! I was up high, so I could see the BIG crowd react to the energy from the stage. Dancefloors was INSANE! Definitely one of the wildest points in the evening, that place was just rockin SO HARD! Off The Record, of course, got everyone off. War Begun was perfect. From the new songs, both Touch Me...s were outstanding live, but, well, everything was. There wasn't a low point to the evening. The band was VERY noticeably excited to be playing back in the Bay Area to a VERY appreciative crowd. The interaction between band and crowd was just really energetic throughout the evening.

And yes, ROLLIN BACK!!! I don't know, I've been SO STRESSED the past three weeks with work, it's just worn me down. Rollin Back has been a really calming song for me, and I've become even closer to it lately than I ever have been. It was perfect that they played it for the encore, just perfect. I don't know if I've ever been as appreciative to hear any song as I was to hear ROLLIN BACK on Friday. I couldn't have asked for anything more from them...it was just an amazing night.

We spent the night in the East Bay with some great friends, went into the city yesterday to soothe the food cravings of my pregnant wife (we found out last week that we're having a boy :)), saw some more old friends. Just such a great time, and damn, what a show!

[pawpaw]

I'm so happy bbill got to see Rollin Back and Yvon got to see War Begun!

Turns out I had a friend in attendance.  He flew in last night and came to the party I was at.  He had rave reviews for the venue and the performance.  He said musically it was as good as Louisville.

Yeah, I'm pretty happy about that too  :)

[MarkW]

Looks like a great show, guys.  I'm really looking forward to Manchester in November.  Cobra?  Rollin' Back?  That would make my night...

[DaFunkyPrecedent]

So the crowd looked cool from above?  I was hoping we would...we were all losing our shit in the pit!  

Dancefloors, Off the Record, Touch Me Pt 2, Wordless and OBH seemed to be the crowd pleasers.  

Some other people that went to the show said the same thing about Carl and Bo - I didn't "hear" the difference, but then again, I was never attracted to Carl during the show...usually I am.  So maybe cause the sound was off my attention was never given to him.  Also, Jim was like 20 feet infront of me, and it's really hard to take your eyes off of him.  Although, me and this guy I met at the show (ty) both watched Patrick the whole time during Gideon.  That is now BY FAR my favorite drums!  Just listen to the build up next time....WOW.  

[elzar]

everyone and everything looked awesome from above - originally we were sitting on the right side right behind the pit, we decided to go all the way to the top center where the sound was amazing. the pit crowd looked awesome too!

anyone see those autographed LP's they had for sale at the merch booth? any info on these? i think they were $40

[Elizanne33]

This was another in a long line of fantastic shows I have been lucky enough to see. The MMJ flag looked great from where I was sitting, and I'm glad the band noticed it! It was awesome for sure. I really enjoyed watching the crowd almost as much as I enjoyed watching the band. Just a sea of bodies all flowing to the music, heads bobbing. As far as the music goes War Begun and Rollin Back were definitely the highlights for me.

[Drawk]

Hooray for the color orange!

Video of War Begun:
http://blip.tv/file/1282763

[DaFunkyPrecedent]

Hooray for the color orange!

Video of War Begun:
http://blip.tv/file/1282763

Wow...brings me right back :)

[coldnebraskablue]

Hooray for orange indeed! Thanks for doing this, can't wait to see the whole thing up on Dime! 8-)

[rmpotsy]

I'm so happy bbill got to see Rollin Back and Yvon got to see War Begun!

Turns out I had a friend in attendance.  He flew in last night and came to the party I was at.  He had rave reviews for the venue and the performance.  He said musically it was as good as Louisville.

are you talking about me...

musically it was every bit as strong as louisville, i just dont know that the intensity and emotion from the ville show could ever be topped.   all in all i loved the greek, i loved the show, l loved all my bay area friends i was with, and i loved it... well i just loved it all.  it was great to see you dylan/candace on saturday if that is who i have quoted above.

[BH]

Rollin Back'
http://blip.tv/file/1280443

Awesome dude.  Thanks for that window into a wonderful night.

oh oh oh you had me. wrapped up in your mystery...

[DaFunkyPrecedent]

remember when jim tried to slide across the stage during wordless and it didn't really work...? I DO!!!!

[ms. yvon]

i was at the show with a friend who is a uc berk. alum.  she was disappointed that at least one of the bears wasn't wearing bears garb.  i suggested it was to avoid giving the impression of partiality.   ;D

[doEVILslittle]

where's poochette?

[the_wizzard]

All I can add to the discussion is how AMAZING the night was!  The band sounded soooooo good and that Dondante....whew....knocked the wind right out of me.  Everyone there was having a good time, even though I saw that some people were talking, it was so LOUD that I never got distracted...well except for that one girl at the end.  It was too weird for words (but harmless and loving....so all's good).
Rollin Back was a nice treat....and War Begun  :o :o :o

[CC]

http://www.mymorningjacket.com/gogo/gallery/2008/09192008-greek-theatre-berkeley-ca/

[tdogjuwan]

Another great Jambase review
http://www.jambase.com/Articles/15125/My-Morning-Jacket-09.19.08-Berkeley

[reenie]

Just got back to the east coast last night...what a trip.  Great show!!! As always.  My brother had never been to a show, he was blown away.  
It was great seeing Ms Yvon again and meeting other board members.  Yvon...thanks for the sticker, love it! Funky Pres & friends...nice job on the flag.
I loved the show, love you guys.  Love my poster. Going to get it framed today.
Hope to see you all again soon.  NYE perhaps?
Peace!

[ms. yvon]

Another great Jambase review
http://www.jambase.com/Articles/15125/My-Morning-Jacket-09.19.08-Berkeley

boy, what a terrific write up!  he nailed the vibe, but right!

just reading about that show has put me in an even better mood this morning.  thanks the for the link, tdog.

glad you made it home alright, reenie!  and if all goes well, i will see you nye!   8-)

[PCS]

Over all a great show.  Haven't seen the boys since 2000ish.  They've really stepped it up a notch since then.  Think I met one or two of y'all in the beer line.  Any who, good times, nice pics whoever took em'.  Only complaint is that the sound was a little distorted toward the end, besides that...great show.