Back in 2008, I agreed to go with my brother to see southern rockers My Morning Jacket live at Detroit's Fillmore Theater (formerly the State Theater). I walked in unexcited, only knowing one song beforehand, but I walked away feeling it was not only the best concert I'd seen that year, but one of the best I've seen in nearly 100 shows.
Three years later, and having seen over 100 concerts now, I am once again left feeling that My Morning Jacket are, quite simply, the best live band in existence after their incredible show at Meadowbrook Music Festival Tuesday evening.
The dichotomy between MMJ and the second most recent concert I've attended, Death Cab For Cutie, is quite interesting. With Death Cab, you can be sure you'll get faithful renditions of songs, but little else. Both bands like to change things up and keep their setlists fresh each night, but Death Cab aren't known for expanding their music beyond the studio incarnation in a live setting.
This sits in stark contrast to a My Morning Jacket show. In both cases, you'll see excellent musicianship, but only at the latter will you see a twenty minute version of an already ten minute song while lead singer and guitarist Jim James runs to and fro on stage, his mane of curly hair bouncing wildly.
This was a particularly special show for several reasons, not the least of which was the outstanding setlist (see the picture accompanying this post). Standard highlights such as "Off The Record", "Lay Low", "Wordless Chorus", and the show-stopping "One Big Holiday" apply, and mix well with the tracks from their newest record, Circuital.
However, sometimes the most memorable performances are born out of mistakes. Such was the case with the night's impromptu a capella performance of "Wonderful", caused by a guitar problem. Without skipping a beat, James set his instrument down and continued the vocal performance unaccompanied for much of the song - the band joining in softly near the end - while a roadie clung to the shadows in an ignored attempt to provide the band leader with a replacement. Moments like these not only endear fans to a band, but demonstrate unmatched professionalism, poise, and musicianship.
Perhaps no song speaks to the latter more than "Dondante", the haunting ode to a deceased friend. Few songs elicit such power and emotion as they build from softspoken falsetto vocals and a sparse drum beat to an epic explosion of sound, leading into an extended guitar solo. In this instance, "extended" is quite apropos, with an enlongated intro, additional guitar work between verses, and at the song's climax that stretched it just past the twenty minute mark.
At this point, I feel it's relevant to explain my personal situation. On July 6th, I lost my girlfriend. We had just moved in together this past April, and by this time next month, I would have had an engagement ring for her. Her unexpected passing was devastating, to say the least, but I realize that life must go on.
The power of music has to heal has always amazed me. There are few things in life more uplifting than live music, and given the recent tragedy I've gone through, "Dondante" became something of a religious experience that night. I often lose myself at concerts, closing my eyes inadvertantly and swaying to the music, but this time I was riveted to the stage, feeling tears well in my eyes - but not tears of grief. It was a release for me, and it was just about the best I've felt since that horrible day.
And it wasn't even over!
Performances of "Smokin From Shooting", which ran seamlessly into the end portion of "Run Thru", "Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt. 2", followed by "Pt. 1", and the main set's closer, "War Begun", were equally amazing, as was the performance of the Stevie Nicks/Tom Petty collaboration "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" featuring opening act Neko Case.
Now, two days later, I'm still on the same emotional high I was when I left Meadowbrook. Going in with a greater knowledge of the band's songs certainly enhanced my enjoyment of the show, but the catharsis I experienced during it will forever mark it as one of the greatest concert experiences of my life. Whether you're a fan or not, My Morning Jacket put on one hell of a show, and have established themselves firmly as the #1 band you absolutely have to see before you die, in my opinion.
I`ve seen them live in Meadowbrook this year. I agree with you, they are UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
Posted by: Alexander | August 22, 2011 at 10:53 AM