Hey Guys, I have been meaning to ask if any of the board members or lurkers would be attending the Friday and Saturday concerts in Denver at the Ogden?
I'll be vacationing in Colorado and that's how I'll be wrapping up my week and starting my New Year. I was born in Denver, but have spent the majority of my years in Texas (Dallas, Austin, Dallas).
What will the weather be like, lol, jk. No, but seriously, tell me about the venue? What will the crowds be like? Parking? Things to do near by?
Any previous Denver MMJ memories? Or have they always played Boulder? That MMJ Poster from Halloween in Boulder is my favorite. I still need to get it framed.
Johnny
I still have not bought my tickets, cuz I'm not sure how many I'm going to get. Any chance of it selling out?
Hmmm... I will be very, very suprised if both shows don't sell out.
The Ogden is a tiny venue, and beautiful. I saw David Byrne there in 04 and I was brought to tears. Intimate.
The Ogden is right in the thick of Colfax Ave. where you are likely to run into a crackhead, followed by a hippie, followed by some wierd old literary types. Diverse.
There are a few bars nearby, and decent restaurants. The hotels are pretty shady though, although I've never stayed in one, they just look shady as hell. Downtown is only a few blocks away though so you have options.
As for previous show memories - they played the Fox in Boulder on Halloween 05.
For me it was quite the experience, you can read about it here:
http://www.mymorningjacket.com/cgi-local/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1132041663/10#10
Bo bought me a slice of pizza after the show. I gave him a Boards of Canada CD.
I hope he listened to it.
Flying in from Nashville. Going both nights. Very excited.
The Ogden is allegedly a great venue for rock shows. It's GA, so come early.
May try balcony one night and main floor the other, not sure.
Tickets purchased for both nights. Car Rented. Robert Earl Keen is playing the night before at the Grizzly Rose, but I don't think I can shaft my family for 3 nights in a row. Plus I saw him there last year and vowed to return a triumphant country dancing Texan. Hasn't happened, haha.
Any recommendations for day skiing during a weekday? Price balanced with environment?
Going to both shows. Friday will be my first MMJ headlining show. I've seen them open for Pearl Jam multiple times. Can't wait. Actually taking my dad to the Friday show with me. He's into them as well. Never been to a show at the Ogden either. On, and my dad just bought his ticket on Thursday of last week for the Friday show. I thought I read somewhere that the Sat. show is sold out. Not sure.
See you all there!
well Im thinking about going to both shows but dont have tickets or flight hotel nada yet taking my daughter .. any ideas of what hotel to stay at thats not too far we are not going to rent a car .. seen MMJ 3 times this year and every show better than before ...
Im in Deep South Texas do I need to take a sweater LOL ..?
QuoteTickets purchased for both nights. Car Rented. Robert Earl Keen is playing the night before at the Grizzly Rose, but I don't think I can shaft my family for 3 nights in a row. Plus I saw him there last year and vowed to return a triumphant country dancing Texan. Hasn't happened, haha.
Any recommendations for day skiing during a weekday? Price balanced with environment?
Skiing: Arapahoe Basin is probably your best bet. Close to Denver, really fun mountain and lift tickets are some of the cheapest around. Shit I might even go with you.
CANT FUCKING WAIT FOR THIS WEEKEND!!!&^!%&^%!(*&*^%!*&^%!*&!!!!!!!
I'd be down.
The only thing preventing me from going skiing are the roads (avalanche on I40?) but i don't think they are too bad, and the fact that after I pull a sweet air (yeah right) I'd turn around to high five somebody but no one would care.
Quotewell Im thinking about going to both shows but dont have tickets or flight hotel nada yet taking my daughter .. any ideas of what hotel to stay at thats not too far we are not going to rent a car .. seen MMJ 3 times this year and every show better than before ...
Im in Deep South Texas do I need to take a sweater LOL ..?
I would definitely try travelocity or hotels.com for the hotel room, I think it might be a little late to use them for a flight? But I got my flight for $150, then later rented a car out of Co Springs for $150.
My Grandmother lives near 33rd and Zuni just above downtown. So I think I will be cabbing it both nights from there. Think there will be any trouble getting a cab after the show in the cold? Rough neighborhood, or too cold for thugs?
A couple of thoughts that might help? I live about 2 blocks from the Ogden, seen a number of shows there. They just renovated the place, much nicer than it used to be. Neighborhood is diverse, but safe. Million dollar lofts next to homeless hangouts, with everything in between. Large police station 2 blocks away. Fillmore Denver is basically next door. Adds to the character of the city. You will not have a problem finding a cab. Parking is a BIG issue, especially since parking is impossible to find due to the snow on the streets. Hotels are easy to find. Marriott on Colfax several blocks away, not too bad. Warwick is about six blocks away on the edge of downtown. Probably best value. Number of bars around in each direction from seedy to decent to trendy. Dress warm, the low on both nights are supposed to be subzero! Boulder show on Haloween was intense, cannot wait. Have fun.
thanks for all the great info!
did anyone answer the taxi question?
if parking is a nightmare during snow (which is predicted to be heavy this weekend) i will likely cab it from a hotel.
i'm hoping the altitude doesn't hammer me like the last time i was in CO. :P
Quotethanks for all the great info!
did anyone answer the taxi question?
if parking is a nightmare during snow (which is predicted to be heavy this weekend) i will likely cab it from a hotel.
i'm hoping the altitude doesn't hammer me like the last time i was in CO. :P
the last time I was there the altitude killed me .. I was there last year for DMB at Red Rocks .. just walk slow and drink lots of whiskey ... and Im a smoker too ... crap im screwed ...
where are the Texas People At?
Sweet, I woke up to find out my 18yr old cousin backed into my first rental car, and didn't bother to let anyone else know!!!
I feel bad, and I didn't even do anything. I could have parked more out of the way. I wish I had now.
I'm confused about what to do. Torn between family and the truth.
Taxi seems like a great idea.
My Colorado host and stepson is dropping off and picking up on Friday but coming with us on Saturday.
As of now, we're getting dressed up for Friday.
How early are we going? The forecast looks scary for lining up early.
Major safe blessings on the Jacket tour bus coming in from Salt Lake.
NYE got snow inside; we get it outside!
Imagine the setlists will be different between both nights.
QuoteHow early are we going? The forecast looks scary for lining up early.
Major safe blessings on the Jacket tour bus coming in from Salt Lake.
NYE got snow inside; we get it outside!
Imagine the setlists will be different between both nights.
I think one of the nights I definitely want to catch the opening act.
In Dallas for their back to back show, we got about a 40% set list difference. But the current cache of songs should be even larger after their 3 night NYE Filmore set.
After driving by the venue I would say avoid walking to the venue alone or in small groups. Taxi cabs should be a cinch from any downtown hotel. Don't know about after the show.
Songs That I Wanna Hear...
My first Bear
A louder than Austin, Tx Steam Engine
I Think I'm Going to Hell
Lowdown of course
Sooner
not f'n likely Evelyn is not Real
A 'Sampsonite' Strangulation
Just Because I Do
It's About Fucking Twilight
War Begun
My first Picture of You
The Dark, so i can dance
AND MOST OF ALL...
Oxen (how could I know)
My first I Will Be There When You Die, please please please
My first Cobra
I'm going to freak the fuck out if they play "Strangulation".
:o
;D
I drove by the venue last night, and I can verify that the Ogden is still there, :-)
What's up with Tom's Diner about 2 blocks west? Looks very cool, but not packed. Open 24 hours. Is the Denver Diner better further down Colfax?
Also saw an Irish Pub, and The Couch Lounge. A very large Independant Records is in the same building as the Ogden. 2 adult bookstores with a very seedy bar next to one. An old school laundry mat across the street for all your laundry needs.
That's all that's coming to mind, but there is other stuff i'm forgetting.
Is it really tomorrow?
Are we psyched?
Storms blowing through. Can't see the mountains anymore.
That's the direction the bands coming from
AND YES, I"M PSYCHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
are we psyched!?!?! i can't fucking wait!
Johnny Rage, you got it all there my friend. Both of those diner's are pretty solid, can't go wrong with either one. Also, a bit furthur east on Colfax is Twist & Shout Records, one of the best independent record stores in the country. Venture on over there tomorrow, you won't be dissapointed.
Let's hope their Tour Bus makes it here tomorrow.
Blizzards in Utah didn't keep the show from happening last night.
Let's just pray for safe travels.
I'd like to go down early -- but I don't see it happening because of weather and the like.
My wife and I are going to get dropped off just before doors open.
Will be wearing Jim-worthy costumes.
Someone save us a spot up front. ? :)
fyi, looks like MMJ made it through the stormy Rocky Mountains. Just took a stroll around the block to get some fresh (cold!) air. Bus is out front, crew unloading. See you there.
Quotefyi, looks like MMJ made it through the stormy Rocky Mountains. Just took a stroll around the block to get some fresh (cold!) air. Bus is out front, crew unloading. See you there.
Grrreat stuff! Have an amazing evening & Saturday Nite people in Denver! :)
I can't wait to hear what Jim has to say about the mile high city.
This is me from Texas. Say Hi!
(http://myspace-966.vo.llnwd.net/01017/66/96/1017116966_m.jpg)
You look like your ready. Have fun and come back with a full detailed report for us.
Thanks for the report that the band is there! I needed to hear that.
Can we use the same thread to post our reports instead of starting a million different threads?
Safe travels everyone.
just got home from work. about to hit the shower, grab some provisions and head down (coming from Boulder). Going pretty much straight to the venue area to find a park. I'll be up front tonight, tall, brown hair, beard, black-frame glasses. probably wearing a black hat too.
It's COLD AS FUCK outside!!!
WAAHAHAHAAHAHAAA!!!!!!!!!!
temp. just hit 1 below and falling. Light snow. Hope the coat check is large! closest bars are Irish snug, Sanchos, and Couch lounge (happy hour 5 to 8), all within a block or so on same side as the Ogden. Best bet on parking is Southeast of Colfax and Ogden. During fillmore shows they have pay lots on Clarkson. Not sure during Ogden shows. Good luck and stay warm everyone. :)
DO THEY REALLY HAVE A COAT CHECK???
Yeah, last time I was there they had one. Not 100% sure though. If I remember right, getting your coat back at the end of a show is time consuming.
QuoteYeah, last time I was there they had one. Not 100% sure though. If I remember right, getting your coat back at the end of a show is time consuming.
Coat check was surely needed tonight, but getting coats back was a riotous circus.
Here's my report (setlist at the end):
At 620 pm, we started the car and started scraping snow. On the road from Lafayette by 630pm. By 710, we're driving through the slippery streets of downtown Denver. God! the blackened piles of snow in the parking lots resemble the mountains in these parts.
Found parking on the street and walked quickly through the surreal chill. By 730pm, we're inside the Ogden. My, this place is small—and basically empty now, even so close to show time. I visit the coat check and get a PBR for only $4 (the cost of a sixpack of PBR, but still, a pretty cheap beer for a show). Rocky (my stepson) and I find a place by the first railing, just above the small section of front floor (the entire lower level being separated by tiers).
(My wife and anticipated date for the night is home with her daughter-in-law-to-be, nursing a cold and waiting on tomorrow night, when all four of us will check out the show.)
We debate about getting right up front, but this spot we found has such an incredible sight line and expected sound, that we decide to stay there. At this point, having only see 'em at the Ryman and the 'roo, I am still utterly shocked by both the small size of the venue and the sparse crowd so close to curtain. Are people just fashionably late or intimidated by the weather? Either way, I'm grateful for the generally mellow and not-too-crowded vibes.
Just after 8, Elvis Perkins and his band take the crowded stage. Speaking the pure language of what's come to be known as freak folk (and reminding me of Dylan, Nick Drake, and Devandra Banhart), this group grooves with acoustic guitar, harmonica, stand-up bass, trombone, and an antique marching-band bass drum. Center stage, there's also something strange and sounding from the keyboard family that my limited knowledge and vocabulary cannot surely name, perhaps a close relative to the concertina, squeezebox, or harmonium. Given the story that they got stranded on the way to Salt Lake and missed last night's show and how utterly tiny the crowd still is at this point, this ensemble puts on an emotive and playful set, only making me wish I'd made myself more familiar with their stuff before tonight.
Elvis Perkins and people exited the stage around 845pm. By this time, the club finally started to feel full, and during the break, more people came in from the cold. But, compared to some shows, it was still really easy to move around and get to the bathroom and bar and back in plenty of time for the buildup to lights down and jacket up. Around, 925pm, the place went black, the old-school pre-show music filled the room, and the Jacket was with us. "One Big Holiday" proves the perfect opener, and we're off.
The show had many breathtaking, mind-stretching moments. When Jim's pipes climbed to the high, high notes at the end of "Wordless Chorus," the "weeowoohwah" or whatever-it-is-so-angelic-and-eerie-that he does struck itself inside my soul. He finds a similar synthesis of soul-soothing and spirit-shocking inside "It Beats For You."
Just as Jim finds such elusive epiphanies with his vocal yoga, the band bends its own massive metaphors when channeling the classic-rock gods—as in the spacier, harder, longer, let's-not-call-them-jam-band-moments of tracks like "Lay Low," "Run Thru," Steam Engine," and "Mahgeetah."
As good as it is in such a small room with such great sound and friendly folks heating up a hideously chilly night, there's something just a little off about it all. Our bassist Two Tone Tommy needs a chair to sit for a few tracks and seems generally woozy or grumpy or something. In general, the whole band has an end-of-the-leg leeriness about it, an understandable "We just risked our lives getting here, and we're tired as fuck" mood.
In one of his few moments of speechifying between songs, Jim referred directly to the death-defying drives, of trusting the tour bus driver to face the snow drifts safely. He also mentioned a flu in the whole crew, suggesting that no-one kiss the band-members tonight.
When we think about the 115 minute set in the context of how utterly whipped they all must be, we can understand how heroic they still are in spite of it, giving 200% for the fans who risked as much just getting there, too.
Our family member reverb can be defined as "the acoustic environment that surrounds a sound." One very cold Colorado Friday night, the Ogden Theatre patrons were soaked in sacred reverb and smoked-out by second-hand reefer fumes. By the end of the show, I could loosen my scarf and feel the heat of: Carl and Jim's dueling guitars; Patrick's cymbal-riffs rocketing through my head; Tommy's bass bad-assedly thumping my third-eye; and Bo's bopping keyboard cool keeping it soulful and real.
The show lacked any cover songs and several favorites we might wish for tomorrow tonight, when I expect they'll mix it up just a little and play longer, as Jim made more than one remark to those he expected to see two nights in a row.
Setlist (please forgive and correct any errors):
1.One Big Holiday
2.What a Wonderful Man
3.Gideon
4.The Way That He Sings
5.Wordless Chorus
6.Lay Low
7.Phone Went West
8.Off the Record
9.It Beats for You
10.Golden
11. Dondante
12. Run Thru
13. They Ran
BREAK
14. Bermuda Highway
15.Knot Comes Loose
16.Steam Engine
17.Mahgeetah
18.Anytime
Thanks for that awesom review. Don't think I could add much more to it. Great effort from the band for sure. Have fun tonight. My only suggestion to anyone going tonight that was not there last night is get there a little early and secure a spot along the railings on the balcony. A lot of tall, frat boy types talking loudly, acting drunk, etc. in the floor sections.
QuoteThanks for that awesom review. Don't think I could add much more to it. Great effort from the band for sure. Have fun tonight. My only suggestion to anyone going tonight that was not there last night is get there a little early and secure a spot along the railings on the balcony. A lot of tall, frat boy types talking loudly, acting drunk, etc. in the floor sections.
DEFINITELY!! I had a good spot on the rail, but my friends were milling about in the back, so I hung out with them, and that is NOT the place to be. Honestly, probably the worst crowd I've ever been a part of. Rock n Roll is supposed to be a fucking ecstatic celebration and an EVENT. These people were not fun to be around. Rant over.
Also, do NOT check your coat. The coat check scene after the show was an utter and total nightmare.
as for positives: Steam Engine, was, fucking amazing. And I got a TTF shirt :)
Man, I'm just now recovering from my hangover.
I was surprised how much of an acoustical difference there was depending on where you were. I was up against the railing on the third tier, probably 50ft from the stage. I could see fine, but my cousin couldn't. Didn't like all the dead ends on the tiers and the bar, but I'm sure that's better once you've found YOUR spot. I didn't venture downstairs.
Crowd was a little tame, but most everyone I spoke with it was there first show.
I'm excited to catch their last show of the fall/winter tour!
quote anu: the band bends its own massive metaphors...—as in the spacier, harder, longer, let's-not-call-them-jam-band-moments of tracks like "Lay Low," "Run Thru," Steam Engine," and "Mahgeetah."
well put, mister. i never get tired of lay low, run thru and steam engine. last night's steam was terrific. the bass was really present in the mix at the top, fantastic!
last night i had a great spot for watching patrick play. during it beats i noticed that since the orangutan (sp?) was removed from the bass drum, you can see the kick mallet hit the drum. cool thing during those groove intensive tunes.
jim mentioned that the flu had been plaguing the crew and band. i know what's it like to do my job when i feel like shit, but to be on/around stage putting out the kind of energy all these guys do. damn. what a way to work. :( let's hope the bus is stocked with airborne, oranges, and seasons 1-4 of the simpsons on DVD. a good way to ride out the flu.
more notes from the show:
--where i was the crowd was enthusiastic, but during a song near the top of the set patrick was clapping his hands and the crowd must have been unresponsive b/c he gave them the most solid finger i've ever seen.
--tt-t sat for golden and dondante. he must have felt like hell. damn.
--run thru was a little shorter than usual
--during they ran: full disclosure: i love this song. i'm a sucker for a good soul song. after jim left the stage bo and carl played these beautiful instrumental passages. bo always lays a gorgeous groove in this tune. (now playing in my head.)
--the lighting during "knot" was lovely! the lighting at every show is a little different. last night they used this orange/gold combo of moving lights. (i realize this difficult to describe w/o the appropriate vocabulary. alas.)
--did anyone catch that great fuzzy twang right before the last chord of mahgeeta? awesome.
again, met some truly cool folks at the show last night. this turned into a couple of pints and some distinctly pub-food food.
i'm excited to hear what might be different for night two! see you all tonight for the last show of the tour for all of us. [smiley=beer.gif]
do i really have to go back to work on monday?
another bit: elvis p in dearland made it to town last night but they must have just squeaked in. they were still doing there sound check at 7pm. the ogden let all the people who were outside into the lobby at 7.
after the sound check finished i was milling around and passed dearland's bass player/saxophonist ordering dinner for everyone on the phone. what a day they must have had. :P
some personal comedy from the trip: i arrived in town not having booked a room. the previous 3 nights i'd spent in places with NON working wireless internet service. so.
i found a good spot close to the venue, but it was booked up for last night. i booked a room for saturday night, and went to find a place up the road.
for $39 i got a room which had no towels, no blankets, no pillow cases, no tv remote, no bedside lamp, no clock, but had evidence of a smoke detector torn from the wall (wires still dangling), and soap chips left on the sink and tub from a previous lodger.
and this morning i was woken at 7am by a woman outside my door screaming "YOU FUCKER!" at someone.
awesome.
note: i was able to get blankets and towels by calling the desk. another bonus: in this non-smoking room, there was an ashtray on the table. oh, and the office closed at 10pm, so i couldn't arrange for a wake up call.
still: $39. sweet.
i am posting this from the comfortable confines of the better, more convenient hotel with towels, blankets AND working wireless internet.
and a view of a residential street.
now, i've booked a return flight for 8:30 am tomorrow. i don't anticipate getting to sleep before 3 tonight. let's see how things go :D
I'm lovin' your stories, ms_yvonn. Keep 'em comin!
Man...last night was my first "full on" show by MMJ. Previously only seen them as an opener. Freaking unreal...I'm still in shock. Can't wait for tonight...
*now perfoming limbering exercises*
Wowee Mutha Fucking Zowee!!!
My first Bear.
My first Cobra.
On a side note, 6th avenue is a bitch to catch from the venue heading west!
Mile high city, indeed. This band has a rather cosmic sense of how to play a rock show for 150 freaking minutes, 930-midnight, no real break before the encore, insanely heroic.
I hate to say it, as good as it was, Friday was like a rehearsal, a buildup, a preparing of the sacred space, preparing to throw us to the next level.
There were tapers, so it will live forever.
We had a family all along the first railing. Shout out to Yvon and all of our crew and everyone who danced and got a little funky and freaky!
Will try to calm down enough to write a real review.
Safe passage Jacket people.
Well, ALLLLLLLLLLLLLRRIIIIGHHHHHT!!!!!!! Sounds like they ended this thing in style and it sounds like some peeps got the post show buzz.
(http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/Remember-the-Titans-Poster-C10135464.jpeg)
"The TITANS Of Rock Tour" My Morning Jacket Winter 2007.
setlist is posted!
looking over my scrawled set list for the night it is cluttered with exclamations (DAMN! EN FUEGO!, etc.) ;D
one thought before i head off to packing/nap/airport: looks like they cleaned out the bus tonight: all the fillmore props made fresh appearances and were tossed to the crowd! the enormous cowboy hat, the feather boa (!), the skeleton chest plates...the one thing that resurfaced but stayed on stage was a personal favorite: the marshmallow gun. oh yes. put to use most effectively by patrick. when the marshmallow gun comes out, you know it's a party.
and this: tonight the atmosphere and lighting kicked my ass. dude. WELL DONE, GENTLEMEN! *deep bow*
glad to see the band looked to be feeling better tonight!
christ. i have to go to bed. i knew logging on here would mean trouble.
must. log. off.
GOODNIGHT KIDS!
anu, great meeting and keeping the groove lively with you and your family! safe travels all. [smiley=vrolijk_26.gif]
Yvon, thanks for posting that setlist. My version had tons of holes. The encore was like a second set -- 55 fucking minutes.
Can someone please confirm that they did in fact play Run Thru? At around the 135 minute mark, I think I started to hit the runner's high meets boxer's dementia. It was just so freaking intense, and I somehow didn't click with this song even though I had been waiting for it all night long.
This is next part is going to be preaching to the choir, but it's my notes to a piece I want to distribute more widely to the non-Jacketed among us. ):):)
While I am generally skeptical of competition and comparisons and generalizations and platitudes, I am about to lay them down plain and simple.
And while I hate to break it to the fans of other bands, I have seen the future of rock and roll, and its name is My Morning Jacket.
As students of great rock themselves, the Jacket channel their classic influences in a spiritual, non-derivative way. They are rock stars in terms of theatrics but not pretension or ego. We can hear the echoes of Radiohead, Neil Young, Lynard Skynard, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, the Grateful Dead, and so many more.
On stage in strange costumes, Jim James holds court like a science-fiction action-figure protagonist carrying his band of brothers into ever more majestic and mystic moments of pure sonic poetry. This is what rock and roll was supposed to be in their bedrooms when they were fourteen and as it has been engraved on the souls of teenage air-guitarists everywhere. No-fucking wonder Cameron Crowe put them in a movie playing "Freebird." Because that filmmaker appreciates the mix tape of the soul like few others in Hollywood, as evidenced by the story of Almost Famous and the cheesy but priceless ending of Elizabethtown.
To experience Jacket power in such intimacy two nights in a row is profound. To tell of its cinematic and religious qualities is point others to the sounds. But of course this means that the career should take these guys to the next level next time—which means I must cherish this closeness and ineffable camaraderie now. Someday they may hold stadiums rapt, and I can only pray they keep the same playful seriousness in tact.
Meanwhile, mainstream radio ignores them, so we know it is through the albums and the shows, the internet and places like the theatrical screenings of Okonokos that we can gather like a tribe, each of us wearing the morning jacket of his or her choice.
In the last few years, I've seen the Flaming Lips, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Coldplay, U2, Scissor Sisters, the Killers, the Mars Volta, the Black Angels, the Black Keys, a wide array of awesome people at the 'roo from Bonnie Raitt to Radiohead to Matisyahu and many more.
Over the years, I've seen a serious catalog of live rock shows including acts as diverse as Rush, the Stones, REM, the Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, Grateful Dead, Operation Ivy, Fugazi, the Butthole Surfers, Scratch Acid, Kiss, GWAR, you get the idea. Too many to name, truly.
And frankly, and honestly, and I can only say this heartfully after Denver MMJ for two nights, I've rarely seen a band put on a live show like the Jacket. Best live band on the planet right now.
Best old school rock band of our time. Great by any standards. Big words, yes, and deserving of them this band is.
Wildly, they're still relatively underground. In perspective, I still can't get over how cozy the venues they sell out are. With 5 albums behind them, these late twenty-somethings are the music fringe's best kept secret, even after owning a share of what the American rock festival means from Coachella to Bonnaroo to Lollapalooza and many of the smaller festivals and on and on.
Who plays 2 hours or more every night? Who switches the setlist every night? While some nights are mirrors, at least one song will inevitably change. But the two-night stand in Denver shares with the fans some otherworldly shape-shifting ecstasy much like I imagine the multiple nights at the Filmore were.
I don't wish to rag on other hard-working acts, but the serious, traveling fans are paying your freaking bills for heaven's sake! Give us some love, give us some variety, stop settling for 70-minute sets produced every night on auto-pilot.
The Jacket have set a new standard for nailing each song as if the earth depended on it and playing each show as if it were their last. Other bands, please take some notes.
The crossover appeal to jam band fans everywhere should not be understated, but it should not be misrepresented or misinterpreted either. The Jacket groks the integrity of the song and gives its live rendition the space to breathe, but not the space to grow like mold into boring, self-referential, cock-rocking whateverland.
They take us to the outer galaxies and back, sure. Yes, they can sustain a musical thought for more than ten minutes, and they can get tweaky and freaky and geeky in the most gifted manner. But they return to rock's mission statement in a way that's both refreshing and chilling, understanding a vocation to write and perform rock songs—not to randomly splash sounds on the sonic canvas.
MMJ has something so sincere to offer, frothing with showmanship but not showing off. I love how tight and completely communal the shows are now, but I imagine bigger things for these deserving guys. It's not a secret I can keep.
If you love rock and roll and everything you thought it had lost through thirty-some years of shitty sell-out commercialism, go see the Jacket. At this point, I should confess, that asking me about this band is like asking a nun about Jesus.
See you in Florida in March?
"asking me about this band is like asking a nun about Jesus." :D
Brilliant stuff there guys. It's like we all speak the same language or something.
I hate thinking about them playing arenas. For their sake and ours I think the level of exposure they have achieved at this exact time is probably the perfect amount.
(http://remaxkauai.com/rek/phototour/Hanalei%20Scenic/3rdDip_tube.jpg)
My Hair on the Bear
This is Anu and Viva last night at the second My Morning Jacket show at the Ogden Theatre: http://babyraindance.blogspot.com
At the end of Golden, I threw my golden wig to the stage. I got a knowing, amused look from Two-Tone Tommy. A song or two later, the hard-working stage tech took the goldilocks mop and placed it on the bear's head. Looking for a picture of my hair on the bear.
I'm stuck in Colorado Springs because of the ice in Dallas, but it was well worth it!
QuoteMy Hair on the Bear
This is Anu and Viva last night at the second My Morning Jacket show at the Ogden Theatre: http://babyraindance.blogspot.com
At the end of Golden, I threw my golden wig to the stage. I got a knowing, amused look from Two-Tone Tommy. ...
hey! a cameo: that's my railroad striped-overalled back between anu & viva there. 8-)
and that look from tt-t. when your wig landed on stage was comedy. ;D
i'm back in california, and looking over my notes from last night. let's just start at the top...
i was standing in the first raised section of the venue at the center--above the pit, but not too far back (after friday night's experience with some bush leaguers in the pit, i was all about that raised level. and the floor service. [smiley=beer.gif] )
there was a small railing in front the stage at the center tonight. last night the aforementioned bush leaguers were almost on top of the stage (and me [smiley=tongue.gif]) perhaps trying to work the knobs on jim's guitar. that combined with the enthusiasm of the "last show" crowd, probably resulted in the barrier being brought out.
saturday was a great night for elvis p. in dearland! the band seemed to benefit from a night of not travelling. the crowd really dug them tonight. there were some hysterical kids in front of elvis p. at one point ep introduced a song as being a phil spector type of thing, this kid gave a "woooo!" ep looked down at him, laughed and said, "you're into phil spector?"
they opened with the beautiful polynesian sounding tune. jim slipped out from backstage to take a seat behind the drum kit and play along.
they played a different set from the previous night including a gorgeous stripped down song that featured ep on guitar and the dearland gents singing along. they dedicated it to mmj, who were all peeking out from the wings for the end of the set.
mmj's set
--it beats: tt-t and patrick drive this tune. i love being able to watch these guys simultaneously. they create this sweeping, swirling rhythm for this song.
--next to gideon on my set list i wrote: ! patrick woo! ;D
--carl ripped it up during the dark
**at this point in the set it became apparent that the lighting was ratcheted up even further tonight (these lamps go to eleven)
--the stage effects durning lowdown were spectacular. there was so much smoke on stage that the band disappeared, but depending on how it was lit, they would reappear as silhouttes or totally visable. this was all happening very fast. staggering, really. this all wrapped up with a high soft non-spot on carl at the end. this is where i'd written "DAMN." in my notes. :D
--wordless: gorgeous! and again re: the lighting design i have written here: EN FUEGO!
--i will sing: love the present bass at the top of this song. those first couple of notes push you back on your heels. the langor of this song stunning. this was the first song that i'd heard by mmj, and it still kills me. they ended it with the big sonorous outro they've been playing lately.
--cobra. cobra! the groove in this song gets right into your blood. (i was singing this song from the time i got on the rental car return shuttle, until i checked in for my flight this morning. ) jim twirling a pistol on one finger, then two pistols on both hands. :D during an instrumental break he was twirling them in front of bo who was laughing quite a bit. also, jim added a gun to the hands clasped pose he's been striking for the vocal portions.
the after show music led off with, "we'll meet again."
at the end of the night we all filtered out onto colfax and into the falling snow: dancing, grinning and singing. as few of us making our way to the pub down the street, the band's bus came around the corner, heading to the venue for load out. jen struck a lunge and threw some quality rock and/or rolls signs to the driver, we all waved and yelled. the driver honked the horn, threw both arms in the air and let out a yell in the bus! woooo! ;D
**i have to bail out here and go to bed (again). i'll see if there's anything in my notes that doesn't get covered by someone else tomorrow. what with the ice storm, i wonder if the crew and band got to where they were going today. hmm.**
thnx yll for the details--not that i could really ever forget, seriously, is it just me, or do they get better every time. concurrance with concern over next bout being arena style..lets hope for at least one more tour in the intamacy of our small GA venues. anu, i think tha ryan got pics of your wig on th bear, so I will send them on when I get them---oh yeah, the run thru was real, very real--and let's just once again say a big thankx for the cobra--i cannot help but start with the hips and move to the head whenever ihear the beat of this song! glad it has been revived from the archives! thx ms y for helping me find an outlet for my post show depression--i don't know why i never thought about getting on the forum here; guess when you spend the life at the computer for work, it seemed hard to sit here for fun...
until next time--
http://www.interference.com/stories/id171725.html
http://julioenriquez.blogspot.com/2007/01/my-morning-jacket-ogden-theatre-01-13_7818.html
i posted a couple of photos here, there is a couple of jim james, the band, and elvis perkins
www.julioenriquez.blogspot.com
cause=time
Quote
I hate thinking about them playing arenas. For their sake and ours I think the level of exposure they have achieved at this exact time is probably the perfect amount.
I couldn't agree with this statement more. Small venue (5K and lower cap) is the absolute best for these guys.
**at this point in the set it became apparent that the lighting was ratcheted up even further tonight (these lamps go to eleven)
Classic.
Hi- I am a new fan and just posted my first post re how I got into MMJ on the sticky under The Band. It's The Who and Pearl Jam's fault.
Here is my review of my first MMJ show I posted on a Who forum I belong to. Hardly anyone on the Who forum (165 members) has ever hear of MMJ:
Wow. Quite a show. Exceeded expectations. I jumped online when I got home and bought tickets for the Saturday show. Hope I can find someone to go with. Will try to drag my non-computer brother tomorrow (today I mean). These guys really know how to channel a wide variety of rock genres, and with superb originality. Hard, soft, psychedelic, jammy, dreamy, soaring, you name it. Great vocal range, more vocals than a jam band, less than mainstream. Very cohesive instrumentals. Drummer is fun to watch too, as he bangs like Bonham. So much for needing to hear "hits". I don't think they get radio play, I didn't know any of their songs, none of their lyrics, they played no covers, but the music was overpowering, bordering on intense at times. Not a single dud song. Even when I started to think "This might be a bathroom break" they would segue into pure aural pleasure. Coupla times they even made My Wife pogo. It is so refreshing to discover a new band. If you are in Denver and I've made you curious, well what more can I say? Have I ever steered you wrong? Only $25 plus TM too. Ogden Theater. Doors at 7. Rock lives. Thought I would share. Wow.
Please please tell me you also went to the Sat. show!
we now got some ogden in the gallery.
QuotePlease please tell me you also went to the Sat. show!
Nothing would have kept me from it. I will have several more comments and questions about this new band in my life in the next day or two.
QuoteHi- I am a new fan and just posted my first post re how I got into MMJ on the sticky under The Band. It's The Who and Pearl Jam's fault.
Here is my review of my first MMJ show I posted on a Who forum I belong to. Hardly anyone on the Who forum (165 members) has ever hear of MMJ:
Wow. Quite a show. Exceeded expectations. I jumped online when I got home and bought tickets for the Saturday show. Hope I can find someone to go with. Will try to drag my non-computer brother tomorrow (today I mean). These guys really know how to channel a wide variety of rock genres, and with superb originality. Hard, soft, psychedelic, jammy, dreamy, soaring, you name it. Great vocal range, more vocals than a jam band, less than mainstream. Very cohesive instrumentals. Drummer is fun to watch too, as he bangs like Bonham. So much for needing to hear "hits". I don't think they get radio play, I didn't know any of their songs, none of their lyrics, they played no covers, but the music was overpowering, bordering on intense at times. Not a single dud song. Even when I started to think "This might be a bathroom break" they would segue into pure aural pleasure. Coupla times they even made My Wife pogo. It is so refreshing to discover a new band. If you are in Denver and I've made you curious, well what more can I say? Have I ever steered you wrong? Only $25 plus TM too. Ogden Theater. Doors at 7. Rock lives. Thought I would share. Wow.
Welcome Seeker! Prepare to overwhelmed with all things Jacket. You will be a changed man!
Have you ever heard the Black Crowes do The Seeker live? It kicks ass.
http://www.fortcollinsweekly.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=442&Itemid=42
more ogden in the gallery. check out the horns.
woot!
the new pop-up scroll thru pix function is pretty slick! nice!
Check the tapings section or the internet archive!!!
i'm downloading Saturday night NOW!
and my hazed and dazed memory was better than the printed setlist -- no Run Thru in the encore.
the words "fuck" and "yeah!" come to mind. [smiley=cool.gif]