St. Augustine Show - my thoughts

[Haldon]

1. neat venue.  real small amphitheater, maybe had the capacity to hold a few thousand, including those who were standing in the pit.  Probably a little under 3,000 people were there. A far cry from the last time I saw them at MSG on NYE.

2. PHJB.  I loved them.  When they came out around 7pm, there could not have been more than 1,000 people there.  They played with lots of energy, and of course it was great when Jim came out and sang with them.

3. My spot: I was lucky enough to get there early and make my way to the front row of the pit directly in front of Jim.  Was standing next to a couple from California who had come all the way to celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary.  Was also next to a kid who was at his first MMJ show. Needless to say I have never seen someone's face melted so thoroughly at a show before. Kids face was melted into a permanent grin, which was only widened when he was able to snag Jim's copy of the setlist.

The Music:
That new intro into OBH, is fucking unbelievable.  The intro builds so well leading into the first few notes of the song that it almost seems like it was always meant to be there from the beginning. And the light synching with the guitars was excellent as well.  I was definitely sporting a bit of wood from those very first moments.

The guys definitely seemed well rested, as was alluded to by Jim during one the breaks when he spoke to the crowd.  They all played with great energy, and were constantly smiling and cracking some laughs with each other and the crowd throughout the set.

Highlights of the set.  Besides OBH.  I'm Amazed rocked pretty fucking hard. Its definitely not one of my favorite songs of theirs, but I really enjoyed it last night. I had seen them play it once before, but I don't remember my hair being blown back quite so far during that song.
The guitar solo at the end of LayLow has always been one of my favorites, but last night it was fucking epic. Again, and I think I could say this for most of the songs last night, it just seemed to be played with so much more energy and emotion than I recall seeing from them. (But of course this could all be due to not having seen them for over a year and forgetting just how hard they do rock)

Getting to hear Wonderful was, well, wonderful.  I was not a big fan of Losin Yo Head. I actually like that song on the MOF album, but of all the songs, it seemed to be the least tight (for obvious reasons) and I think that when comparing it to all the songs they played (even the covers with the PHJB) it really was the only "weak" part of the show, in my humble opinion.

If I hadn't blown my load by LayLow, Steam Engine pretty much finished me off.  What they did at the end was epic.  All I can say is, I hope it was taped and you can hear for yourself.  

Smokin from Shootin was equally as fantastic as LayLow, again, with the boys just flat out slaying the song.

Would have liked the full Run Thru (seeing as how the set did end about 15 minutes before the curfew time) but I guess thats what they've been doing all tour, so I don't feel that shorted.

The covers at the end were nice.  I really liked carnival time, hadn't heard that one before, and the guys from PHJB really got into the action as well.

All in all it was a great show.  It reminded me of why I looooove this band so fucking much.  

I left the show thinking the same thing I've thought after every show of theirs, "Now that is what a Rock n' Roll show is supposed to sound like."

I'd love to hear the comments of other folks who were there last night.

Haldon

P.s. I took some photos on my camera phone, and I'd like to share them, if someone can give me directions on how to put a jpeg in one of these messages.  thanks

[SaraBananaBear]

1. neat venue.  real small amphitheater, maybe had the capacity to hold a few thousand, including those who were standing in the pit.  Probably a little under 3,000 people were there. A far cry from the last time I saw them at MSG on NYE.

2. PHJB.  I loved them.  When they came out around 7pm, there could not have been more than 1,000 people there.  They played with lots of energy, and of course it was great when Jim came out and sang with them.

3. My spot: I was lucky enough to get there early and make my way to the front row of the pit directly in front of Jim.  Was standing next to a couple from California who had come all the way to celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary.  Was also next to a kid who was at his first MMJ show. Needless to say I have never seen someone's face melted so thoroughly at a show before. Kids face was melted into a permanent grin, which was only widened when he was able to snag Jim's copy of the setlist.

The Music:
That new intro into OBH, is fucking unbelievable.  The intro builds so well leading into the first few notes of the song that it almost seems like it was always meant to be there from the beginning. And the light synching with the guitars was excellent as well.  I was definitely sporting a bit of wood from those very first moments.

The guys definitely seemed well rested, as was alluded to by Jim during one the breaks when he spoke to the crowd.  They all played with great energy, and were constantly smiling and cracking some laughs with each other and the crowd throughout the set.

Highlights of the set.  Besides OBH.  I'm Amazed rocked pretty fucking hard. Its definitely not one of my favorite songs of theirs, but I really enjoyed it last night. I had seen them play it once before, but I don't remember my hair being blown back quite so far during that song.
The guitar solo at the end of LayLow has always been one of my favorites, but last night it was fucking epic. Again, and I think I could say this for most of the songs last night, it just seemed to be played with so much more energy and emotion than I recall seeing from them. (But of course this could all be due to not having seen them for over a year and forgetting just how hard they do rock)

Getting to hear Wonderful was, well, wonderful.  I was not a big fan of Losin Yo Head. I actually like that song on the MOF album, but of all the songs, it seemed to be the least tight (for obvious reasons) and I think that when comparing it to all the songs they played (even the covers with the PHJB) it really was the only "weak" part of the show, in my humble opinion.

If I hadn't blown my load by LayLow, Steam Engine pretty much finished me off.  What they did at the end was epic.  All I can say is, I hope it was taped and you can hear for yourself.  

Smokin from Shootin was equally as fantastic as LayLow, again, with the boys just flat out slaying the song.

Would have liked the full Run Thru (seeing as how the set did end about 15 minutes before the curfew time) but I guess thats what they've been doing all tour, so I don't feel that shorted.

The covers at the end were nice.  I really liked carnival time, hadn't heard that one before, and the guys from PHJB really got into the action as well.

All in all it was a great show.  It reminded me of why I looooove this band so fucking much.  

I left the show thinking the same thing I've thought after every show of theirs, "Now that is what a Rock n' Roll show is supposed to sound like."

I'd love to hear the comments of other folks who were there last night.

Haldon

P.s. I took some photos on my camera phone, and I'd like to share them, if someone can give me directions on how to put a jpeg in one of these messages.  thanks

Woohoo, great review, thanks a lot for sharing  :) I'm not sure if it's the best way to add photos, but I upload mine to sites like photobucket.com and then I just paste the img code that you get there here and abracadabra - photo!  Hope that helps, or if there's some easier way, maybe someone else can help you  :)

[amishjacket]

I agree 100%, the show was amazing!!! Steam Engine was awesome, I could have stood there for another 3 hrs. Best band out there, no question!!!!!

[ALady]

I left the show thinking the same thing I've thought after every show of theirs, "Now that is what a Rock n' Roll show is supposed to sound like."

Right on.  Glad you had a good time!

[APR]

Haldon summed it up pretty well.  The show was stellar and of course  another 30 minutes of music wouldn't have hurt.  Magheeta was phenomenal and the band seemed way into it.  They lost a little momentum following it up with the MOF song.  But then Lay Low just was off the charts.  Following that was another that didn't continue the strong momentum.  But then Steam Engine destroyed.  I think MMJ's variety and styles are so brilliant and diverse, that listening to an album is sometimes like listening to a good mix tape.  So I likened that part of the show to a a mix tape.  Jim's voice was on (Masters Voice was great) throughout.  

The venue and weather were great.  The fact that it wasn't a full house didn't put a damper on the night.  Being up close in the pit without being packed in tight like sardines was just another added bonus.  I still have Move On Up stuck in my head today!

[ebum192]

I saw them Atlanta on Friday too... I enjoyed St. Augustine more. I've been to this venue before, and jump at the chance to see shows there... great tiny, intimate venue... you can get really close, and we did! Chastain in Atlanta is aesthetically pleasing, and comfortable, and the sound may be clearer, but it's not as loud, and you end up too far away from the stage even with good seats....

Very happy with song selection in St. Augustine, and happy they mixed and matched with the set list...

I echo your sentiments on Losing yo' head. I was disappointed they didn't play it in ATL, but after seeing it, i could take it or leave it.

I'm pretty sure there were no tapers. But I would imagine Charleston will have some...

I was in the pit, but i'm pretty sure the skies opened up and it briefly started pouring rain right when steam engine was about to lift off..."brain melts in the twilight...."

Overall, a very good time, and Jim was having a ton of fun...

[lolcoolj]

This was my first MMJ show, and my mind is still blown. My girlfriend and I were right on the rail...I made eye contact with Jim when he came up to our section in the middle of Touch Me I'm going to Scream Pt. 1, and I yelled "you fuckin rock Jim!". I like to think he heard me, cuz he shot a grin in my direction that said "I know man, I know". Other than that, Magheeta and Steam Engine were my other two high, high points. And my girlfriend and the drummer for Preservation Hall kept pointing at each other because they had the same yellow glasses.

[vwxg14a]

This was my 6th show,  I have seen them at Boston Pops, Langerado, Lollapalooza, Radio City, MSG and Miami Fillmore.  This beats them all.

I am an oldish (48) fan, and for the very first time, I think the entire audience was congealed as one.  

The range in ages for the show were teens to 50's and for once the entire venue was in sync.  I brought along new people to the show and met up with others who have seen them before and never did.  But everyone was completely blown away.  

My god STEAM ENGINE was off the charts and I get goose bumps just thinking about MOF his master's voice.  

Yeah I wish it was longer, but my god what a show.  

I recommend this to every MMJ fan.  Always buy one extra ticket.  Get someone who has given up on music and make them go.  I have done this every show and I think others are doing the same.

Jim James is a m**ther F**ck***  rock star.  Everyone should know this.   We should demand this.

Shout out to kipper and his buds!

[SaraBananaBear]

Oh, great reviews everyone, makes me wish I could have been there even more  :D

[TEO]

Awesome reviews everybody!

[Erik26]

This was my first MMJ show, and my mind is still blown. My girlfriend and I were right on the rail...I made eye contact with Jim when he came up to our section in the middle of Touch Me I'm going to Scream Pt. 1, [highlight]and I yelled "you fuckin rock Jim!". I like to think he heard me, cuz he shot a grin in my direction that said "I know man, I know[/highlight]". Other than that, Magheeta and Steam Engine were my other two high, high points. And my girlfriend and the drummer for Preservation Hall kept pointing at each other because they had the same yellow glasses.

Awesome!! The rail is a wicked place to spend your first show!!

[Haldon]

A follow up f somethings I forgot to initially mention:

Magheeta:  Wow, again, another song that the band just sounded so tight on.  It completely blew me away.

Jim's voice really was on.  Perhaps it was the few days off that he had after Jazzfest, but it was really crisp.  Think it only "cracked" one time while attempting to hit a high note, but otherwise, it was spot on.  The one thing that always amazes me about his voice is how its like its own instrument.  Sometimes I'll close my eyes when he sings, and its as if I'm not even listening to a sound made by a human, but rather a musical instrument. The sounds and notes that he hits are truly magical at times.

One thing I forgot to comment on was the weather.  It was a perfect breezy night.  The outdoor venue was great, and the wind kept whipping up at various times, and it would make the smoke on the stage blow around and it would whip up Jim and Carl's hair.  And yes, there was a time during Steam Engine where there were a few drops falling from the sky, and I really was praying that the sky would open up and just blow this fucker into a new universe.  The rain never fully came though.

the Pit: I didn't really have any problems in the pit.  No rudeness, no drunk frat kids, no pushing or shoving.  Just felt a lot of lovin'.

Also, I don't have photo bucket, but I'll try and see if I can get the pics up here soon.

[Love Dogg]

Awesome reviews everybody!

Great reviews!  Sounds like they're getting looser and tighter at the same time...just in time for Columbus, huh TEO!!!?

[vwxg14a]

Concert Pics http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30659004&l=fd30a02e73&id=1499922123

[Haldon]

ok, so I took these with my camera phone, and they are all a bit small, but I figured that I would share them anyway

http://s982.photobucket.com/albums/ae309/hgreenburg/mmj/

[pawpaw]

Great reviews! Thorough, personal show reviews have always been one of my favorite things about this forum. Thanks guys!  8-)

[Matt00Prince]

2nd time seeing them live.

My first time I had just been introduced.  Since then I've become a really big fan. Especially since being on a kick for the last 6 months of watching Okonokos and The Last Waltz. I recommend this combination if you're missing an emotional connection with music.

Does anyone know anything about the song "Friends Again"?  It really was one of my favorite parts of the show, it's been stuck in my head since then. I think it should definitely be a single!  

Smokin' from shootin' is a perfect song. BTW.

[Ruckus]

1. neat venue.  real small amphitheater, maybe had the capacity to hold a few thousand, including those who were standing in the pit.  Probably a little under 3,000 people were there. A far cry from the last time I saw them at MSG on NYE.

2. PHJB.  I loved them.  When they came out around 7pm, there [highlight][/highlight]could not have been more than 1,000 people there.  They played with lots of energy, and of course it was great when Jim came out and sang with them.

3. My spot: I was lucky enough to get there early and make my way to the front row of the pit directly in front of Jim.  Was standing next to a couple from California who had come all the way to celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary.  Was also next to a kid who was at his first MMJ show. Needless to say I have never seen someone's face melted so thoroughly at a show before. Kids face was melted into a permanent grin, which was only widened when he was able to snag Jim's copy of the setlist.

The Music:
That new intro into OBH, is fucking unbelievable.  The intro builds so well leading into the first few notes of the song that it almost seems like it was always meant to be there from the beginning. And the light synching with the guitars was excellent as well.  I was definitely sporting a bit of wood from those very first moments.

The guys definitely seemed well rested, as was alluded to by Jim during one the breaks when he spoke to the crowd.  They all played with great energy, and were constantly smiling and cracking some laughs with each other and the crowd throughout the set.

Highlights of the set.  Besides OBH.  I'm Amazed rocked pretty fucking hard. Its definitely not one of my favorite songs of theirs, but I really enjoyed it last night. I had seen them play it once before, but I don't remember my hair being blown back quite so far during that song.
The guitar solo at the end of LayLow has always been one of my favorites, but last night it was fucking epic. Again, and I think I could say this for most of the songs last night, it just seemed to be played with so much more energy and emotion than I recall seeing from them. (But of course this could all be due to not having seen them for over a year and forgetting just how hard they do rock)

Getting to hear Wonderful was, well, wonderful.  I was not a big fan of Losin Yo Head. I actually like that song on the MOF album, but of all the songs, it seemed to be the least tight (for obvious reasons) and I think that when comparing it to all the songs they played (even the covers with the PHJB) it really was the only "weak" part of the show, in my humble opinion.

If I hadn't blown my load by LayLow, [highlight]Steam Engine pretty much finished me off.  What they did at the end was epic.  All I can say is, I hope it was taped and you can hear for yourself. [/highlight] 

Smokin from Shootin was equally as fantastic as LayLow, again, with the boys just flat out slaying the song.

Would have liked the full Run Thru (seeing as how the set did end about 15 minutes before the curfew time) but I guess thats what they've been doing all tour, so I don't feel that shorted.

The covers at the end were nice.  I really liked carnival time, hadn't heard that one before, and the guys from PHJB really got into the action as well.

All in all it was a great show.  It reminded me of why I looooove this band so fucking much.  

I left the show thinking the same thing I've thought after every show of theirs, "Now that is what a Rock n' Roll show is supposed to sound like."

I'd love to hear the comments of other folks who were there last night.

Haldon

P.s. I took some photos on my camera phone, and I'd like to share them, if someone can give me directions on how to put a jpeg in one of these messages.  thanks

Great review Haldon.  I'm wondering if the Steam Engines were comparable or if they changed it up for Charleston.  Either way, I'd never heard like that before.

[TEO]

Awesome reviews everybody!

Great reviews!  Sounds like they're getting looser and tighter at the same time...just in time for Columbus, huh TEO!!!?

You have discovered one of the keys of life my new found friend. Running loose and tight all at once...like letting your skis run down a hill...like playing licks without thought, just let it flow...

[wankityspank]

youtube vids are starting to pop up... anyone know if the show audio was taped??

links:

End of Run Thru
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXhRKHkKudk&feature=related

Lay Low
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H98u_IAHcs&feature=related

Gideon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb3mOK7rAck&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiAIAnjDtPM&feature=related

Highly Suspicious
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pyPlYQ-Ka8&feature=related

Move On Up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QLv4HsUKG4&feature=related

End of Wordless
http://www.youtube.com/watch?eurl=http://www.youtube.com/user/prinzo75%23p/u/3/nknjaYCdYBg&v=nknjaYCdYBg&feature=player_profilepage

One Big Holiday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuKNwAUQZy0

Off the Record Clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMDbxkV_ouk