My Morning Jacket

My Morning Jacket => The Music => Topic started by: johnnYYac on Jan 04, 2013, 11:11 AM

Title: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: johnnYYac on Jan 04, 2013, 11:11 AM
Not a favorite song, but Into The Woods is better on Z than live, from my one experience.

Next?
Title: Re: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: Shug on Jan 04, 2013, 11:48 AM
Librarian.  I just don't like that song, even live.
Title: Re: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: parkervb on Jan 04, 2013, 01:43 PM
this could a pretty short thread. 

my best answer would also be Librarian and I like that track.  I just haven't seen it played in a set in a spot where I thought it fit well.  It always seems forced in. 
Title: Re: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: itrainmonkeys on Jan 04, 2013, 03:32 PM
I'm in the minority but I like Librarian (on record and live). Certainly not the best MMJ song live but I enjoy when Jim belts out the bolded part "If everybody gave, like everybody could".


I haven't seen it too much but maybe Sec' Walking? Anyone have a good version of that to turn me around? I love the sound but it hasn't blown me away live.
Title: Re: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: vwxg14a on Jan 04, 2013, 04:34 PM
I have to disagree with Into the Woods.  I really hated that song, but T5 with the Viking chorus completely made it so much better and it actually worked as it is a goofy song.

That said, I would have to go with my other hated song Highly Suspicious.  Live or on record, I can say I never enjoyed that song, ever.   So by default, it doesn't improve on stage.
Title: Re: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: itrainmonkeys on Jan 04, 2013, 05:22 PM
Thanks Mr. White...much appreciated :)

Edit....I meant if someone could find me some examples of Sec Walkin' haha.  I like Librarian :) Great versions.
Title: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: Fully on Jan 04, 2013, 10:13 PM
Quote from: vwxg14a on Jan 04, 2013, 04:34 PM

That said, I would have to go with my other hated song Highly Suspicious.  Live or on record, I can say I never enjoyed that song, ever.   So by default, it doesn't improve on stage.

Highly Suspicious is a monster onstage. I love it live!!! Way better than the album version.
Title: Re: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: Sassbox on Jan 04, 2013, 10:44 PM
I agree on Highly Suspicious, though I didn't love it til I saw it at Pres Hall.
Title: Re: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: EverythingChanges on Jan 05, 2013, 12:20 AM
Holdin' Onto Black Metal and Victory Dance.  I love love love VD, but it doesn't quite come off as effective live as it does on the album.  I just don't care for HoBM that much in general so maybe I am biased there.
Title: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: Fully on Jan 05, 2013, 05:41 AM
I think Victory Dance (sorry I like it too much to call it VD :) is great live. Now that they've quit opening with it, I like the stronger build they give it later in the set. Truthfully, I thought it was an excellent opening song, I just saw them open with it too often.
Title: Re: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: Northern Neighbour on Jan 05, 2013, 11:35 AM
I agree with Shug (to no one's surprise) about Librarian.  Sec Walkin' is also terrible live and on the album.

I have always felt that Wordless Chorus could be amped another notch.  The live version is pretty much the studio version, so there's no improvement on stage.
Title: Re: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: Ruckus on Jan 05, 2013, 11:42 AM
I've never heard a live At Dawn that I prefer over the album version
Title: Re: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: MMPJ6306 on Jan 05, 2013, 02:35 PM
A few circuital songs use overdubs live, that always bums me out a little.
Title: Re: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: FiddleCastro on Jan 05, 2013, 03:52 PM
Golden. I love it on the record, but the way Jim messes with it live kinda takes some of its beauty away, but it does make sense in a live environment. Still fantastic either way
Title: Re: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: manonthemoon on Jan 05, 2013, 07:13 PM
Sec Walking and Two Halves jump to mind, but I really think those are two of the worst songs in the entire catalog.  So probably a little biased here.
Title: Re: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: EverythingChanges on Jan 06, 2013, 12:16 AM
I love Sec Walkin' personally.  I sometimes feel like I am the only person who loves Sec, Look At You, and Thank You Too.  :undecided:
Title: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: Fully on Jan 06, 2013, 01:07 AM
You aren't the only person who likes Thank You Too or Look At You, but you may just be the only person who likes Sec Walkin'. :D
Title: Re: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: rincon2 on Jan 07, 2013, 10:48 AM
Quote from: Fully on Jan 06, 2013, 01:07 AM
You aren't the only person who likes Thank You Too or Look At You, but you may just be the only person who likes Sec Walkin'. :D
I am truly baffled by the dislike that is expressed for these songs. Throw in Two Halves to that group. If any one of these songs were on an old EP instead of an LP, I bet people would be treating them like some White Whale that they want to hear live. My ex used to listen to Ronnie Milsap. Sec Walkin  could easily be him. As far as Two Halves go, it is MMJ's contribution to Merseybeat, which was a building block of rock and roll.
Title: Re: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: Fully on Jan 07, 2013, 11:08 AM
Quote from: rincon2 on Jan 07, 2013, 10:48 AM
Quote from: Fully on Jan 06, 2013, 01:07 AM
You aren't the only person who likes Thank You Too or Look At You, but you may just be the only person who likes Sec Walkin'. :D
I am truly baffled by the dislike that is expressed for these songs. Throw in Two Halves to that group. If any one of these songs were on an old EP instead of an LP, I bet people would be treating them like some White Whale that they want to hear live. My ex used to listen to Ronnie Milsap. Sec Walkin  could easily be him. As far as Two Halves go, it is MMJ's contribution to Merseybeat, which was a building block of rock and roll.
I don't know; I can't explain why, but they just don't do it for me.
Title: Re: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: JDUB on Jan 07, 2013, 09:27 PM
Quote from: EverythingChanges on Jan 06, 2013, 12:16 AM
I love Sec Walkin' personally.  I sometimes feel like I am the only person who loves Sec, Look At You, and Thank You Too.  :undecided:
I love all three. I don't think I have heard Look at You live that wasn't Jim James solo. I'd like to hear the entire band play it. So Look at You is my vote. Love the subtle sounds that Bo makes with his keyboards.
Title: Re: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: 63schoefflin on Jan 07, 2013, 11:18 PM
I think Victory Dance is a great opener...maybe because the first time I saw them I literally knew One Big Holiday and that's it. Having VD as an opener got me real into it right off the bat. I guess it depends if you prefer the slower openings or faster ones. Always great to mix it up.
Title: Re: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: justbcuzido on Jan 08, 2013, 01:45 PM
Quote from: rincon2 on Jan 07, 2013, 10:48 AM
Quote from: Fully on Jan 06, 2013, 01:07 AM
You aren't the only person who likes Thank You Too or Look At You, but you may just be the only person who likes Sec Walkin'. :D
I am truly baffled by the dislike that is expressed for these songs. Throw in Two Halves to that group. If any one of these songs were on an old EP instead of an LP, I bet people would be treating them like some White Whale that they want to hear live. My ex used to listen to Ronnie Milsap. Sec Walkin  could easily be him. As far as Two Halves go, it is MMJ's contribution to Merseybeat, which was a building block of rock and roll.

Everything you said! I love all of these songs, seeing Jim do "Look at You" solo really sold me on that song as well. One of my top MMJ songs is "Thank You Too". I think that song does get love around here (still not enough for my liking). I wish they would play it more. To me it is probably their most straight forward/positive love song they have done. I usually do go for the more complex/dark/sad love songs (Hopefully) but I absolutely love this song for whatever reason. Just pure love expressed in such a beautiful way.
Title: Re: Which songs fail to improve on stage?
Post by: rincon2 on Jan 08, 2013, 08:26 PM
Quote from: JDUB on Jan 07, 2013, 09:27 PM
Quote from: EverythingChanges on Jan 06, 2013, 12:16 AM
I love Sec Walkin' personally.  I sometimes feel like I am the only person who loves Sec, Look At You, and Thank You Too.  :undecided:
I love all three. I don't think I have heard Look at You live that wasn't Jim James solo. I'd like to hear the entire band play it. So Look at You is my vote. Love the subtle sounds that Bo makes with his keyboards.
That comment is why Bo is a tremendous component to a band that on paper, does not even need a keyboard player.