REPORTS FROM MADISON SQUARE GARDEN NYE

[Penny Lane]

I thought the show was incredibly awesome and I had a blast....but......I was a little disappointed they didn't play anything from TTF.... This was my third show... Bonnaroo 08' and Philly.. NYE was my least favorite... It was still awesome, but maybe because the other two were too awesome maybe??

it's tough to compete w/bonnaroo 2008--i think anything would be a let down. this was my 3rd favorite show after bon 06 and 08. they set the mark too high for even them to reach--sure is fun watching them try :-)

[levrock]

great show

[DirtyJerzee]

I have been reading people complain about the band not playing that many rarities, but their covers were the rarities. Its not too often they they play them. I am not too big into bands playing covers, but when a band plays them just for a special occasion, then that really means something. Heck, they only repeated two of the 9 that they played at Bonnaroo, and thats says something alot right there.

Besides that, they had a horn section and two guests. Will Johnson and Nicole Atkins are not big names per se, but that were a nice addition to the show. Over all, I look at the NYE show as a rarity because you wouldn't normally have all of those elements in their normal show. I am also honored that the band wanted to share their new years with us. What a way to kick off the New Year!!!  :)

[Shepardspy]

This was only my third mmj show and by far the best. I lucked out and got a great section where everyone was groovin'.   The boys were on a whole other level that night.  Even though Will Johnson and Nicole Atkins may not be special to any you complaining, they seem to be very special to mmj.    

"be thankful 4 what you gots"

[whothrewthecake]

ALL THAT MATTERS IN THIS WORLD ARE THOSE WHITE TUXEDOS, Y'ALL.

200FINE

[slimsloslider]

Such a great night! Unfortunately, I had my jacket stolen! So someone made off with some chap stick and gum! Oh well, it was a fitting moment to realize someone this morning woke up with my jacket  ;)

Highlight of the night was definitely Run Thru, my god when that bridge came we all went to another place!

Oh yeah, if anyone has my jacket I'd love it back. (Triple Five Soul P Coat, Army Green. w/ Burt's Bee's Chap stick/Stride Gum/A pen that doesn't work)

so you're mourning your jacket? IRONY! i wish i would've been there to steal it, but alas, no

[johnfromindiana]

...we were trampled by a bunch of sloppy drunk assholes who climbed over chairs and pushed everyone and stole seats all while talking the whole time...some guy fell over/passed out over the back of my boyfriend's chair during librarian and hit him in the back of the head and knocked my boyfriend out for a few...and we had to leave...

in the words of Jim James, "After all, is said and done, where is the justice?"

Sorry about your bad experience.  Why some can't show respect to themselves and others is beyond me.  My mama taught me better.

[mmjacorns]

hey all, i couldnt make the show,   but i just watched the youtube videos for the first time, man it looked awesome! local girl (jersey shore)  nicole atkins ripped it!    happy new year to all that made it and didn't...looking forward to seeing mmj and you all in 09.

[AMightyCaporal]

My mind was blasted during Dondante. Unbelievable- I can't believe i never noticed how emotionally charged that song was.  I feel almost ashamed.

[lasvegas]

what an amazing night. i still haven't had time to fully digest the evening and the magic that it was. truly special to be there for. i fell lucky to have been involved with all the biggest and most special evenings this year with MMJ.

bring on 09 and the YEAR OF THE JACKET!!!

[el_chode]

After listening to the show again now at work, I am reminded at how truly awaesome Phone Went West turned out.

[8bobbyb]

The show was amazing.  My wife has been humming "move on up" for the past five days........
Also, who else would have the balls to sing "I'm A Wanderer" and "Islands in the Stream" at MSG on NYE.  And how about Patrick with the "drum stick signals"........many of his family members were in our section and they went crazy when he had the spotlight....................if you didn't get to hear what you wanted, it's a good excuse to go to more shows.....

[numbdub]

hey all -

nye was 5th show of fall for me and 11 th overall and something i was waiting for since june when i woke up at 6 am to get tickets. i really should have realized that the only place to experience this show was in the pit. had floor seats in section 8...and it really was a terrible place to experience the show due to so many clowns everywhere as has been duly noted by many. frustrating that i wasnt able to mentally present for a lot of this show as we were always looking for more room and to get away from nonsense.  

the band was super tight and sound was amazing. loved all the covers (was slightly disapointed in celebration as it was repeated from 06) but thats ok.  it was weird in that the show seemed soooo short to me. I guess it was 3 hours long but red rocks, berkeley, portland all seemed sooo much longer. i was literally ready for 10 more songs when they were done. playing bring it on home to me made my night though, one of the greatest songs of all time, and it just has joy all over it.  

its tough to pass up a chance to play MSG but i just never felt like it was as momentous an occaison as I wanted to...not hatin, the jacket moves me like few others...but unfortunately i think the vibe was ruined by having to fill up so many seats with people who had nothing else to do on NYE.

anyone else think it was weird that jim didn't know the lyrics to auld lang syne?

[Sassbox]

anyone else think it was weird that jim didn't know the lyrics to auld lang syne?

A little...but mostly it seemed a little disrespectful to be singing "whatever the f*cking words to this f*cking song are".

[numbdub]

i thought it was rather disrespectful myself...and an odd way to go out when you play MSG on NYE

[Sassbox]

I think I was kind of shocked because (a) it seems completely out of character and (b) that's a song which, if you're performing on NYE, you should make it your business to know...or don't attempt it.  But for as many times as I've sung along to it, I don't really know the lyrics, either!  

[numbdub]

i totally agree...out of character and it you are gonna attempt it at msg on nye...have it prepared...i have heard it millions of times and don't know they lyrics too but never sang it in front of 12,000

[el_chode]

i just took it as an improv thing he did in fun at the end of the show to give us a few more mins.

MSG put a strict limit on their time frame for how long they could play. The unions in major cities have put MAJOR time constraints on performances. Ever wonder why a concert that used to end at 1 or 2 am is now done proper at 11 PM?

contrast to more laid back arenas/festivals, like 'roo '06 where they had a 2 1/2 hour slot and played for 4 or something close to that.

[ms. yvon]

before the show, my pal looked up the lyrics to "auld lang syne" for me.  i wrote them all down, and was practicing them in line all evening.

when jim started to sing but found he didn't know the words i could only laugh.

for the record:  that is a BEAST of a song, full of scottish colloquialisms.  no small order.

[kydiddle]

before the show, my pal looked up the lyrics to "auld lang syne" for me.  i wrote them all down, and was practicing them in line all evening.

when jim started to sing but found he didn't know the words i could only laugh.

for the record:  that is a BEAST of a song, full of scottish colloquialisms.  no small order.

That's dedication ms. yvon! If he had known the words you might have been the only one in the audience who could sing along with him...imagine that...

I laughed, too. It only adds to his quirkiness.  :)