Friday, June 27, 2008

Live Review - My Morning Jacket

My Morning Jacket
Date: 25/06/2008
Venue: The Leadmill
City: Sheffield, United Kingdom


Louisville, Kentucky's My Morning Jacket hold the reputation of unleashing one the best live shows around and despite the Sheffield's Leadmill only sparsely filled, those who attended the bash (MMJ's first on the current tour) left with the performance well and truly ensconced in their memory.

My Morning Jacket are a different proposition in the live arena. Their expansion in musicianship is undoubted, with bassist “Two Tone” Tony's bouncing bass throbs simmering underneath the guitar combustion of frontman Jim James and fellow axeman, Carl Broemel.

'Evil Urges and 'Highly Suspicious' are falsetto driven numbers that explore a new avenue for My Morning Jacket, even more so live, with a trajectory that doesn't compare between the respective mediums. The zenith of MMJ's catalogue is certainly 'Gideon'; jam packed with bass notes that make one numb, the turbulent spasms and guitar breakouts end with James, TTT and Broemel coalescing to the centre of stage for a rock 'n' roll conclave. The swelling grooves of 'Lay Low' and 'Anytime' follow in seismic waves where guitar freak-outs and swirling bass jams have bystanders glued to this assault.

The no-nonsense swathe that is 'Smokin from Shootin' and the reverberating trance of 'Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Pt.2' rank among the highlights off Evil Urges , while It Still Moves' country bumpkin stomp that is 'Golden' is a lush rendition of southern fried rock. 'One Big Holiday' closes the show with more of an epic vibe and rocking hybrid in comparison with the record cut.

Although Jim James is the obvious epicentre, each band member extrudes a unique virtuosity that almost appears to be purposely tucked away on record. Material off Z is expanded upon in ferocious fashion, appearing as the obvious yardstick in the 'Jacket's arsenal, despite the haphazard brilliance that material off Evil Urges possesses. There's no doubt whatsoever that My Morning Jacket immerse themselves when “playing” live, exceeding expectations and mesmerizing the masses along the way.

Setlist:

1. Evil Urges
2. Off The Record
3. Gideon
4. I'm Amazed
5. Highly Suspicious
6. Lay Low
7. Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt.1
8. What A Wonderful Man
9. Sec Walkin
10. Golden
11. Thank You Too!
12. The Way That He Sings
13. Remnants
14. Smokin From Shootin
15. Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt.2

Encore:

16. Wordless Chorus
17. It Beats 4 U
18. I Will Sing You Songs
19. Run Thru
20. Anytime
21. One Big Holiday

Photos:







Review & Photos by Simon K

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