My Morning Jacket

My Morning Jacket => The Band => Topic started by: el_chode on Sep 02, 2009, 06:34 PM

Title: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: el_chode on Sep 02, 2009, 06:34 PM
Dear Jim and company,

There are relatively few resources these days for getting one's hands on new, good music. It's even harder to be exposed to the songs of yesterday that have fallen out of favor with top-40 format of "oldies" radio.  A few magazines are insightful, as are some indie radio stations, but my friends are just as limited as these resources are. The most unexpected exposure for new music for me has become My Morning Jacket concerts, whether I'm in the audience or streaming them off archive. Without your opener on New Years Eve, I would never have investigated Curtis Mayfield beyond Superfly and Freddie's Dead. If it weren't for your cover of Hit it and Quit It, I would have probably forgotten that I even owned a copy of Maggot Brain. You even make lite fm old sad bastard music tolerable, so much so that I have to reconcile myself with the fact that I like a song by Bread. WTF!? And Wax Fang? Holy shitcakes!

How about an occasional update us on what you guys are listening to on the bus, when you're sleeping, or just hanging out during your downtime? I need to know what to anticipate on the next tour so I can sound hip and pretend to recognize every song you throw at us, even if its the Flying Burrito Brothers.

Yours truly,

El Choderino, or Choder, if you're not into that whole brevity thing.

P.S. No matter what anyone thinks about doing covers during a concert, please keep it up. I look forward to it everytime I pay LiveNation a $50 convenience charge on top of the $75 online ticket purchase fee
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: Nikkogino on Sep 02, 2009, 10:03 PM
QuoteDear Jim and company,

There are relatively few resources these days for getting one's hands on new, good music. It's even harder to be exposed to the songs of yesterday that have fallen out of favor with top-40 format of "oldies" radio.  A few magazines are insightful, as are some indie radio stations, but my friends are just as limited as these resources are. The most unexpected exposure for new music for me has become My Morning Jacket concerts, whether I'm in the audience or streaming them off archive. Without your opener on New Years Eve, I would never have investigated Curtis Mayfield beyond Superfly and Freddie's Dead. If it weren't for your cover of Hit it and Quit It, I would have probably forgotten that I even owned a copy of Maggot Brain. You even make lite fm old sad bastard music tolerable, so much so that I have to reconcile myself with the fact that I like a song by Bread. WTF!? And Wax Fang? Holy shitcakes!

How about an occasional update us on what you guys are listening to on the bus, when you're sleeping, or just hanging out during your downtime? I need to know what to anticipate on the next tour so I can sound hip and pretend to recognize every song you throw at us, even if its the Flying Burrito Brothers.

Yours truly,

El Choderino, or Choder, if you're not into that whole brevity thing.

P.S. No matter what anyone thinks about doing covers during a concert, please keep it up. I look forward to it everytime I pay LiveNation a $50 convenience charge on top of the $75 online ticket purchase fee

I support this message.  I love the diversity in an MMJ setlist from tour to tour.  It's why no one in their right might would skip a show if it passed within a day's drive.

And yes, MMJ is one of the few bands that I do enjoy covers out of....because they don't just try to imitate the song, they try to dominate the song.  And they dominate it hard.

Oh, and you forgot the $15 service charge to have them do you the favor of selling you the ticket....you're lucky they are there for you.  You really are.

P.S.---who is in your avatar?
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: el_chode on Sep 02, 2009, 11:31 PM
I have no idea, I just saw it one day, and since the majority of my posts on message boards are either complaints or complaining about someone complaining, I thought it was appropriate.

And yes, they absolutely own their covers. I'll never forget at Bonnaroo '06 when I realized that Older Guys became Head Held High

Not every show has a cover, and that's fine. But I love the excitement of wondering "what are they gonna play tonite" both for MMJ songs and any possible covers.
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: Love Dogg on Sep 03, 2009, 01:58 AM
QuoteBut I love the excitement of wondering "what are they gonna play tonite" both for MMJ songs and any possible covers.

That's what it's all about!
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: Nikkogino on Sep 03, 2009, 06:54 AM
I was saying a few months ago that if MMJ wasn't so good at writing and performing their own shit, they would be the world's best cover band.  
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: Sparkle on Sep 03, 2009, 07:23 AM
QuoteP.S.---who is in your avatar?

I always thought it was Kerry Katona... I could be wrong.
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: AMightyCaporal on Sep 03, 2009, 10:33 AM
Sexy thread El Chodino  ;D

I whole heartedly agree with what has been said here.
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: el_chode on Sep 03, 2009, 10:34 AM
I'm not saying the band needs to be "bloggers" but I would be curious to see what each member is spinning while they're sipping beers on their porch and whatnot. I mean even Jay-Z is raving about Grizzly Bear
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: Penny Lane on Sep 03, 2009, 10:56 AM
Quote
QuoteP.S.---who is in your avatar?

I always thought it was Kerry Katona... I could be wrong.

i thought it was tara reid
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: weeniebeenie on Sep 04, 2009, 09:38 AM
I'd love to hear MMJ play a Raspberries (for the harmonies) or a Tom Petty song.
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: st. john on Sep 06, 2009, 03:26 PM
it so is kerry.
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: capt. scotty on Sep 09, 2009, 11:52 AM
After checking out BH's song chart again, I propose they reform the setlist by playing Into The Woods more than 15 times, Where To Begin more than 10 times, Rollin Back more than 6 times, and start playing Devil's Peanut Butter live.
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: el_chode on Sep 09, 2009, 03:10 PM
QuoteAfter checking out BH's song chart again, I propose they reform the setlist by playing Into The Woods more than 15 times, Where To Begin more than 10 times, Rollin Back more than 6 times, and start playing Devil's Peanut Butter live.

Ok, well I can see Where to Begin getting more plays now that it's sort of been re-released.

Into the woods is about Death Panels for Children, so I doubt it.
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: Soulshine on Sep 10, 2009, 10:30 AM
Honest Man....but not a lot. It should def be a rarity-its just so fucking bad it needs to be played.
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: Love Dogg on Sep 10, 2009, 12:39 PM
QuoteHonest Man....but not a lot. It should def be a rarity-its just so fucking bad it needs to be played.

Bad, as in good, right!?   ;)
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: Soulshine on Sep 10, 2009, 12:45 PM
Quote
QuoteHonest Man....but not a lot. It should def be a rarity-its just so fucking bad it needs to be played.

Bad, as in good, right!?   ;)

Yes of course...bad as in effing awesome!  8-)
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: pawpaw on Sep 25, 2009, 10:16 AM
I've always thought that they could NAIL some Faces tunes. That'd be sweet if they booked a tour under an alias band name and did full sets of covers at dives across the country. That's my dream...one of 'em anyway.
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: BH on Sep 25, 2009, 10:33 AM
QuoteI've always thought that they could NAIL some Faces tunes. That'd be sweet if they booked a tour under an alias band name and did full sets of covers at dives across the country. That's my dream...one of 'em anyway.

;D  (One of them anyway.)

The Faces rule.  
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: el_chode on Sep 25, 2009, 11:00 AM
Wow. My dreams were more simple: steal a pie from a windowsill and go through the Double Dare final challenge face first, mouth open
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: AMightyCaporal on Sep 25, 2009, 12:04 PM
Quote
QuoteI've always thought that they could NAIL some Faces tunes. That'd be sweet if they booked a tour under an alias band name and did full sets of covers at dives across the country. That's my dream...one of 'em anyway.

;D  (One of them anyway.)

The Faces rule.  


i also enjoy the  Faces.  My fiancee loves singing Ohh La La  :-*
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: capt. scotty on Sep 25, 2009, 07:22 PM
QuoteI've always thought that they could NAIL some Faces tunes. That'd be sweet if they booked a tour under an alias band name and did full sets of covers at dives across the country. That's my dream...one of 'em anyway.

a Wicked Messenger or Around The Plynth cover would make me jizz in my pants

The Faces are legit....I never knew why so many people thought Rod Stewart was cool until I found out he was in the Faces for a few albums and also a couple great ones with Jeff Beck.
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: DaFunkyPrecedent on Sep 29, 2009, 01:30 AM
Quote
Quote
QuoteI've always thought that they could NAIL some Faces tunes. That'd be sweet if they booked a tour under an alias band name and did full sets of covers at dives across the country. That's my dream...one of 'em anyway.

;D  (One of them anyway.)

The Faces rule.  


i also enjoy the  Faces.  My fiancee loves singing Ohh La La  :-*

I wish I knew all I know now
when I was younger
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: jsandr on Oct 01, 2009, 05:14 AM
only thing I would say is that I wish MMJ would explore the rarities in their own catalogue at the 'special' shows rather than the covers. I loved Bonnaroo in 08, but then had to miss NYE, and, seeing the setlist, I don't think I would have been as blown away.

I'd love to see the guys mix up there setlists more... maybe add an acoustic chorale-esque portion to the show.

they've got an absolute shit-ton of material to draw from at this point.

I bring this up b/c of my wonderful experience over 2 nights last fall in Phoenix and Tucson, where they busted out 'The Dark', 'Rollin Back', 'Easy Morning Rebel', 'Just One THing', 'The Bear' and 'Into the Woods' over those two shows. Not to take for granted songs like War Begun and Cobra which had become tour staples.

More than just about any band out there, MMJ's reworkings of their own older songs are fantastic! THere are so many songs from Tenn Fire and At Dawn that sound so tiny on the record that would be so great in a refurbished form: see 'It's About Twilight Now'.

That's my only suggestion for MMJ in the future. Here's to hoping they come back swingin next year!
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: AMightyCaporal on Oct 01, 2009, 09:38 AM
Quoteonly thing I would say is that I wish MMJ would explore the rarities in their own catalogue at the 'special' shows rather than the covers. I loved Bonnaroo in 08, but then had to miss NYE, and, seeing the setlist, I don't think I would have been as blown away.

I'd love to see the guys mix up there setlists more... maybe add an acoustic chorale-esque portion to the show.

they've got an absolute shit-ton of material to draw from at this point.

I bring this up b/c of my wonderful experience over 2 nights last fall in Phoenix and Tucson, where they busted out 'The Dark', 'Rollin Back', 'Easy Morning Rebel', 'Just One THing', 'The Bear' and 'Into the Woods' over those two shows. Not to take for granted songs like War Begun and Cobra which had become tour staples.

More than just about any band out there, MMJ's reworkings of their own older songs are fantastic! THere are so many songs from Tenn Fire and At Dawn that sound so tiny on the record that would be so great in a refurbished form: see 'It's About Twilight Now'.

That's my only suggestion for MMJ in the future. Here's to hoping they come back swingin next year!

Funny, getting ready this morning I was having nearly the same exact thought- I was planning on posting about it today, but you beat me to it.

I would love for them to dip into older stuff. NYE blew my mind but I was thinking, maybe too many covers and not enough of the music from the band that brought us all there.  

I am not complaining at all- NYE was an unforgettable experience, and when I heard the opening horns from Move On Up, my heart nearly busted out of my chest with excitement.
Title: Re: Open Letter to MMJ (Concert Setlist Reform)
Post by: el_chode on Oct 05, 2009, 08:30 PM
I was listening to some Jimi today. And I realized there are certain songs that "everyone" covers, and of these songs, there are two types: songs you're tired of everyone covering (All Along the Watch Tower), and songs that sound great every time someone covers them (She Said, She Said).

I'd like to see them expand into some of these "classics". And I'd like them to start with "Crosstown Traffic"