MMJ @ Mountain Park, Holyoke, MA 8/25- Roll Call!

[mahg33ta]

other random thoughts:  

the end of Where to Begin was brilliant - great jam that took the song well beyond the recorded version

pretty sure Jim messed up the Low Down lyrics pretty badly

Not quite sure I get the Rollin' Back intro.   To play just the first 45 seconds - that's such a tease.   To open a show maybe, that's a cool way to start... but since it didn't open, to just throw in that snippet?   A bit of a head scratcher.    Rollin Back is definitely my answer to the question "what song do you most want to hear live" at this point (probably was Where to Begin before last night).

[mahg33ta]

http://blog.masslive.com/playback/2010/08/my_morning_jacket_grace_potter.html

[atomicpunk]

My first show was great, but a little weird.  I haven't been feeling well the past few days with a stomach flu and sore back.  I made it through "Mahgeetah" and then had to go sit up on the hill because I wasn't feeling great.  I was going to try to make it back down for the encore, but I said fuck it.  Next time I'll be up close.

Great set, though.  I got most everything I wanted plus a few rarities.  I probably would've had a much better time had I been feeling better, but MMJ did not let me down with their first show.  Their lights show was spectacular!  

What a tight band that makes everything look easy.  I always knew Carl was a monster guitarist, but finally seeing him in person just cemented it.  Tom and Pat are one of the tightest rhythm sections I've ever heard and Jim is, well...  Jim.  The guy I was most impressed with was Bo.  So smooth, lays down a good groove and some good fills.  What a fantastic band!

Also my third time seeing Grace Potter open for a band and I still have the same reaction as always...  meh.  Nothing that interesting and I don't think Grace is as sexy as everyone makes her out to be.  I was definitely more into her bassist Catherine Popper than I was Grace.  Coincidentally one of the friends I was with...  it was his 14th time seeing her.  Yet, he and his girlfriend fought throughout the entire MMJ set.  Don't get me started on that, though lol.

[Ruckus]

Goddamn broken foot is all I have to say, "I hate you, foot!".  Man, you win some you lose some.  This show was a winner, I just couldn't do it.  When you lose the use of one of your appendages, you are awarded with 50% mobility, good times!  I will never take my foot for granted ever again!  Sorry for telling you off, foot.  My bad...

So sorry monkeyboy.  Hey man, even though you didn't make this one, your story is legend.  Way to rock out til the end with a broken foot. [smiley=beer.gif]

[ynwa]

that is a kick ass setlist!  so glad those who were there got to experience that awesomness.  from what y'all are saying - the band was really on too, apart from jim slipping up on the low down lyrics, which is pretty funny.  a unique moment that only happened there, on that night.  it's a gem!!!  my kingdom for this show!  please tell me someone taped it.

also, everyone seems to be saying that the band was totally digging the venue.  i often wonder what it's like to be a band on tour, being in a different city every night.  would it get old?  would you become numb & not even notice?  honestly, i think everything i've heard & read includes jim commenting on how beautiful, magical etc. the venue is.  and i really believe he's not just blowing smoke up the crowd's collective ass either.  i think he's just as in awe of the scene from his vantage point as we are from ours.    

i love it!!!

[Bigsky]

I am still catching my breath...wow.

The evening started off a bit strange...it was lightly raining and grey. The drive up from Hartford was an anxious breeze; little traffic, but we couldn't get there quick enough. The parking lot was brand new and there was no tailgating...no tailgating, not even inside our cars. This made me worry that the cops were going to be everywhere. I luckily was wrong; once in the venue, security was minor and friendly.

On our way up the hill to the stage we were blessed with a full rainbow...into the woods we went. The stage was nice and small and easily approachable, so when the hot thing of Grace Potter started to rock I was right there. She is a wonderful opener and Grace and her band know how to warm the crowd up...she's one incredible performer (she's also easy to look at).

The crowd was in a great mood (despite the weather) and everyone was enjoying the vibrations. Once the lights went out and we remember why we came...Steam Engine knocked me over... this as an opener just set the night right. The boys were pumped...I don't know what it was, but they were having so much fun; Carl couldn't stop smiling. As JJ stated is was a "hot n' sticky" night. I was worried at first that the boys would be tame because the crowd was only 2,000 at most (with only 1,000 in front of the stage), but they rocked the hardest that I have seen them...see the set list.

The new song Circuital, was amazing live, but I must say that my favorite songs of the night (beside Steam Engine) were Honest Man & Easy Morning Rebel. The boys absolutely nailed it...holy shit it was pure power. I thought the stage was going to catch on fire...I had to take 2 steps back. With that stated...every song was perfectly energized and linked to the circuit.

Walking out was a nice stroll down hill with the energy of the night pushing us. What a night: the venue was beautiful and friendly, the crowd was perfect, and the music was religious.

[atomicpunk]

that is a kick ass setlist!  so glad those who were there got to experience that awesomness.  from what y'all are saying - the band was really on too, apart from jim slipping up on the low down lyrics, which is pretty funny.  a unique moment that only happened there, on that night.  it's a gem!!!  my kingdom for this show!  please tell me someone taped it.   

There was some mics set up that I saw.  

[jones]

I am still catching my breath...wow.

The evening started off a bit strange...it was lightly raining and grey. The drive up from Hartford was an anxious breeze; little traffic, but we couldn't get there quick enough. The parking lot was brand new and there was no tailgating...no tailgating, not even inside our cars. This made me worry that the cops were going to be everywhere. I luckily was wrong; once in the venue, security was minor and friendly.

On our way up the hill to the stage we were blessed with a full rainbow...into the woods we went. The stage was nice and small and easily approachable, so when the hot thing of Grace Potter started to rock I was right there. She is a wonderful opener and Grace and her band know how to warm the crowd up...she's one incredible performer (she's also easy to look at).

The crowd was in a great mood (despite the weather) and everyone was enjoying the vibrations. Once the lights went out and we remember why we came...Steam Engine knocked me over... this as an opener just set the night right. The boys were pumped...I don't know what it was, but they were having so much fun; Carl couldn't stop smiling. As JJ stated is was a "hot n' sticky" night. I was worried at first that the boys would be tame because the crowd was only 2,000 at most (with only 1,000 in front of the stage), but they rocked the hardest that I have seen them...see the set list.

The new song Circuital, was amazing live, but I must say that my favorite songs of the night (beside Steam Engine) were Honest Man & Easy Morning Rebel. The boys absolutely nailed it...holy shit it was pure power. I thought the stage was going to catch on fire...I had to take 2 steps back. With that stated...every song was perfectly energized and linked to the circuit.

Walking out was a nice stroll down hill with the energy of the night pushing us. What a night: the venue was beautiful and friendly, the crowd was perfect, and the music was religious.

Nice write up.

[Soulshine]

HONEST MAN?!  8-)

[TheLurker]

Shit was awesome... front row and dead center for this one... please enjoy this video of Touch Me 2 > Lay Low.  Disregard the last 30 seconds as I forgot I was recording because Lay Low was exploding my head.  And turn it up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9U7wlwKTRA

[ynwa]

that is a kick ass setlist!  so glad those who were there got to experience that awesomness.  from what y'all are saying - the band was really on too, apart from jim slipping up on the low down lyrics, which is pretty funny.  a unique moment that only happened there, on that night.  it's a gem!!!  my kingdom for this show!  please tell me someone taped it.   

There was some mics set up that I saw.  

awesome.
*fingers crossed*

[TheLurker]

Check out some more photos here... http://www.acerraphotography.com/Unlisted-Galleries/MMJ-Mountain-Park-Holyoke-MA/13499492_piCwv#983335785_r6gtv

[mahg33ta]

also, everyone seems to be saying that the band was totally digging the venue.  i often wonder what it's like to be a band on tour, being in a different city every night.  would it get old?  would you become numb & not even notice?  honestly, i think everything i've heard & read includes jim commenting on how beautiful, magical etc. the venue is.  and i really believe he's not just blowing smoke up the crowd's collective ass either.  i think he's just as in awe of the scene from his vantage point as we are from ours.    

i love it!!!

Jim had a funny little monologue - as best as I can remember it he said "I dunno if y'all noticed on the way in, but over there (pointing to the right) there's a big rock.   A really big rock.   It's pretty neat, you should go check it out.   If you guys remember one thing from tonight, I want you to remember that big rock.    A rock that's always been there.... and always will be".

The guy's a nut, for sure.   And I'm not capturing it well, hopefully a recording will surface.

[Bigsky]

also, everyone seems to be saying that the band was totally digging the venue.  i often wonder what it's like to be a band on tour, being in a different city every night.  would it get old?  would you become numb & not even notice?  honestly, i think everything i've heard & read includes jim commenting on how beautiful, magical etc. the venue is.  and i really believe he's not just blowing smoke up the crowd's collective ass either.  i think he's just as in awe of the scene from his vantage point as we are from ours.    

i love it!!!

Jim had a funny little monologue - as best as I can remember it he said "I dunno if y'all noticed on the way in, but over there (pointing to the right) there's a big rock.   A really big rock.   It's pretty neat, you should go check it out.   If you guys remember one thing from tonight, I want you to remember that big rock.    A rock that's always been there.... and always will be".

The guy's a nut, for sure.   And I'm not capturing it well, hopefully a recording will surface.

Jim was in one of those silly moods...his banter was too funny.

[CTdeadhead]

http://blogs.courant.com/eric_danton_sound_check/2010/08/my-morning-jacket-mountain-park-holyoke.html

[mahg33ta]

http://blogs.courant.com/eric_danton_sound_check/2010/08/my-morning-jacket-mountain-park-holyoke.html

thanks for the review!

note to author:  setlist was almost 2 hrs before encore, not 90 mins

Jefferson Airplane song is called White Rabbit (not "feed your head" lol)

[Tim Tames]

Great show, going deep into their catalog, everyone in the band seems to be enjoying themselves, but what is up with all of the snipits of songs?  

[Bigsky]

Great show, going deep into their catalog, everyone in the band seems to be enjoying themselves, but what is up with all of the snipits of songs?  

Welcome to the forum Tim Tames...

I loved all of the little snipits...it was very refreshing and kept me on my feet.

[deathstick]

Seriously, as soon as the show was done EVERYONE (including security) went home, so The Lurker, his mrs. and I stuck around and ended up having a nice conversation with Two Tone Tommy. They eventually left and I got this (it's missing JJ):

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1643261&fbid=1600249572770&id=1431974298

Nicest bunch of guys ever, and they mentioned the MPP show as a standout from earlier in the tour. Patrick especially liked Mountain Park's scenery. I'm waiting to see how much Philly tops this but it was an amazing evening yet again.  :D

[deathstick]

Check out some more photos here... http://www.acerraphotography.com/Unlisted-Galleries/MMJ-Mountain-Park-Holyoke-MA/13499492_piCwv#983335785_r6gtv

what kind of camera is that, it takes amazing photos for being a point and shoot!