My original post about last night's My Morning Jacket show at San Diego's House of Blues fell victim to a blown fuse. Fitting perhaps. After all, it's been a long time since I've experienced that much energy from a band. I'm not going to try to rewrite what I originally wrote. Also fitting. Nothing I can write now will capture just how good that show was. I'm not saying it was the perfect concert experience, but there were times when the band went off into their loud and energetic--I'll just say it--jams that the moment seemed just right. It couldn't have been much better.
I waited until the last minute before deciding to go. Times have been busy and money tight so I wasn't sure if I would have the stored energy or funds necessary for the show. But all day on Tuesday I kept thinking about it and when "Off the Record" came on the KEXP radio stream yesterday afternoon, I knew that I had to go. Fearing that the show was sold out, I placed a nervous call to the House of Blues and was told that there were "plenty" of tickets left. In fact, I was surprised at the relatively light turnout. I know it was election night; I know They Might Be Giants were playing a few blocks away; I know this band doesn't really have the cute factor working for them; but still, they have a damn good album out there right now and even made a cameo in that new, awful Cameron Crowe movie playing "Free Bird." Okay, I forgive them that.
Anyway, a sparse crowd meant a great standing spot next to the stage and a guarantee that my unprotected ears would be feeling some pain by show's end. They were and are. But it was worth it. I needed that show. I needed to force myself to get out during the week, even after a long day at the job, to see live music.
And good live music at that.
you're making it me hard to resist catching them up in SF, though their pricing may keep me away in the end. I have to admit the new album is slow in catching on with me, but I've only listened to it a few times. Hopefully it grows on me as much as the their last one.
how was the "banter"? i know people's tastes vary, but I tend to be in the "more banter" camp. When I saw James with Oberst & Ward a bit back, he pretty easily out-bantered them. Or was this a straigh-ahead nose to the rock-stone show?
regardless, glad you enjoyed the show - sounds like just what the doctor ordered.
Posted by: tito | November 10, 2005 at 05:05 PM
Uh, now I see this -- was there such costumery in SD?
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NOTE FROM JIM JAMES TO FANS:
"Hello all you nice people coming to our san- fran filmore shows. we wanted to let you know that we are going to be filming the shows for a dvd-but we want to try and make it a special "fantasty"(ooohhh....) dvd that is more like a movie than an ordinary concert film. we want to encourage attendees to dress up in costumes(preferably "faeries and wizzards and goblins") or olde timey victorian ballroom dancing attire-big frilly skirts and top hats and tuxedos and such. we also encourage that you bring glo-sticks, flowers, magic wands or any other interesting objects that may look cool on film and glow. if you have a pumpkin and two mice that you can turn into a stagecoach drawn by horses you should ride to the show in that and our monkey butler will help you out and into the club. we want to get fun footage of people arriving and also crowd shots where it looks like it was filmed in a fantasy forest in the early 1900's. so yes- think "olde-tymey fantasy forest- or just dressy if you dont have any costumes or skrilla to spend on costumes. Tickets are $22.50 general admission.
Extremely limited table & chair seating.
All Ages.
http://www.thefillmore.com/artist_detail2.asp?event_id=213039
Posted by: tito | November 10, 2005 at 05:10 PM
You should check them out, Tito, and wear a costume. San Diego wasn't asked to do anything special, but I did see a girl wearing a vintage Dokken shirt.
Oh yeah, and Stryper was being advertised pre-concert as appearing next month in San Diego. Seriously.
Posted by: Jeff | November 11, 2005 at 12:26 AM
speak of the devil -- or of the jesus --- or whatever
http://ilx.wh3rd.net/thread.php?msgid=6420468
Posted by: tito | November 11, 2005 at 05:50 PM