2008 Woodie Awards
Hawk plays roadie with My Morning Jacket
Richard Hughes '09
Issue date: 12/8/06 Section: Entertainment
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"Is this another My Morning Jacket article?" Yes, it is true I wrote about the live album back in September and then the live concept film back in October but, there is a reason behind this excesses coverage. This band has the capability to both infuse me with energy during one of their reverb-soaked rockers and then deliver poignant ballads with dream provoking vocals and poignant arrangements that are not backed by their known colossal drum sound. They played on November 30th in New York City's Roseland Ballroom followed the next night at the Electric Factory. They were two shows that I would not miss for the world.
On the first night, an opaque, white screen was erected blocking the entire stage. The band kicked into "One Big Holiday" hidden as the crowd cheered with delight over the intro playing. Enormous shadows of the band members were projected on the screen caused by piercing white lights stationed behind them. As the drums crashed and the signature solo was about to begin, the screen fell exposing the band attacking the song with brute force. I've heard this song a countless number of times, it is what drew me into the band originally. This version was played with such intensity, though, that it felt like I was hearing it for the first time. My unconscious started taking over my body as my feet left the floor and a large smile crossed my face.
The rest of the night featured material from all four of the band's albums. "Nashville to Kentucky," off 1999's The Tennessee Fire, is a country ballad that could have been learned at some local dive of a southern bar. That song was mixed in a show with songs like "Wordless Chorus," songs that could have been transported from another cosmos. "We are innovators/ they are imitators," leader Jim James howls soulfully over his band.
James, decked out in large skeleton moon boots and a Mt. Rushmore 50th anniversary shirt for both nights, was filled with energy for the entirety of the shows. He kicked his legs in the air, jumped with the beat of the drumming, struck down his guitar with ferocity, bopped around the stage and was even brought down to his knees on a note that he sang right from his soul. With the long hair covering his face, Jim James was holding notes on songs like "Dondante" and "It Beats 4 U" longer then they appear on their celebrated live album, Okonokos.
On the first night, an opaque, white screen was erected blocking the entire stage. The band kicked into "One Big Holiday" hidden as the crowd cheered with delight over the intro playing. Enormous shadows of the band members were projected on the screen caused by piercing white lights stationed behind them. As the drums crashed and the signature solo was about to begin, the screen fell exposing the band attacking the song with brute force. I've heard this song a countless number of times, it is what drew me into the band originally. This version was played with such intensity, though, that it felt like I was hearing it for the first time. My unconscious started taking over my body as my feet left the floor and a large smile crossed my face.
The rest of the night featured material from all four of the band's albums. "Nashville to Kentucky," off 1999's The Tennessee Fire, is a country ballad that could have been learned at some local dive of a southern bar. That song was mixed in a show with songs like "Wordless Chorus," songs that could have been transported from another cosmos. "We are innovators/ they are imitators," leader Jim James howls soulfully over his band.
James, decked out in large skeleton moon boots and a Mt. Rushmore 50th anniversary shirt for both nights, was filled with energy for the entirety of the shows. He kicked his legs in the air, jumped with the beat of the drumming, struck down his guitar with ferocity, bopped around the stage and was even brought down to his knees on a note that he sang right from his soul. With the long hair covering his face, Jim James was holding notes on songs like "Dondante" and "It Beats 4 U" longer then they appear on their celebrated live album, Okonokos.
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