Concert Review - My Morning Jacket 9/19/08 @ The Greek Theater in Berkeley, CA
This was my third time watching My Morning Jacket live in concert and I guess the saying is true that “the third time is the charm” because this show was emotional and electrifying. The night started ominously with some slight rain but as soon as I got to the beautiful Greek Theater the skies cleared up. The cool moist air and sparkling stars were the perfect setting for one of the best concert going experiences I have ever witnessed.
The band’s recent album “Evil Urges” plays better live than on CD, which is saying a lot because the album is an instant classic and one of my favorite records of the year. Haunting songs from that album such as “The Librarian” moved me and my companions to tears. And no, it wasn’t from the billowy clouds of marijuana that rose from the surprisingly half filled venue. The chilled out hipster crowd was ready for a jam session and the band delivered every stoner fans dream with bouncy performances of “I’m Amazed” and “Touch Me I Am Going To Sleep 2″.
The funk inspired “Highly Suspicious” was a highlight of my evening with everyone screaming out the famous line “peanut butter pudding surprise”! Even though we had no idea what it meant we all screamed out the lyric as we did our very own version of the “dead head” hippie twirl. Once the band played hits like “Wordless Chorus” and “Gideon” the crowd erupted into a frenzy. It soon became apparent that the whole place had turned into a dance party.
It has been ages since I went to a show that didn’t have an opening act and only a tight band like My Morning Jacket can pull it off. Even though they only have a few albums of material released the band stretched it all out into a 2 hour and 45 minute masterpiece of perfect showmanship. Every member on stage played meticulously and feverishly with such passion and preciseness it was mesmerizing to watch and I really didn’t want it to end.
If you don’t own a My Morning Jacket album and you consider yourself a music fan then you need to rush out and buy a copy of their landmark album “Z” or their more recent 4 star juggernaut “Evil Urges”. Both their live act and their recordings have an emotional tug and sense of melodic creativity that is truly original without being pretentious. This show was not only fun and entertaining it was extremely thought provoking and groovy.
WATCH FOOTAGE OF MY MORNING JACKET PERFORMING “ONE BIG HOLIDAY” @ THE GREEK THEATER ON FRIDAY 9/19/08
(TAKEN FROM YOU TUBE)
September 25th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Emotional and Electrifying is right. They blow away the Greek in LA also with an all out pour your heart out performance. It was cool to see them in California with a larger fan base…as here in Toronto they played a large Bar for like $29. It was my first time after just discovering them…. There will be many more shows for me anytime there are near by or I can arrange a road-trip. Nice review all-around !!
October 1st, 2008 at 2:01 pm
It WAS awesome. Probably one the best concerts I’ve been to EVER! But then again they ARE my favorite band at my favorite venue. And I thought it is “Touch Me I’m Going To SCREAM”, not to sleep, silly. It did not make me want to go to sleep. Scream, yes. And I did!