There are a number of reasons why people refer to My Morning Jacket as America’s best live band, and I’m pretty sure I saw every one of them last Saturday night in Dallas. Previously I had seen MMJ at the Austin City Limits Music Festival where they were great, but I really wanted to see them in a more intimate setting. The Palladium Ballroom provided that setting quite nicely. I had never been there before, but was actually pleased when I walked in. We arrived pretty early so we had some time to scope the joint out and decide where we wanted to stand when the show started. Of course like most things I plan this didn’t happen. I went outside for a few minutes and came back in to a nearly packed venue. I guess I was outside a little longer than I thought. So my wife and I settled into a spot near the back with a decent view. The band ripped into “Evil Urges” and I immediately knew we were in for something special.

Contine the review, find the Set List, MP3’s and Videos can be found after the jump…

They sounded super crisp and oh so tight, couple that with Jim’s amazing vocals and it provides something wonderful. Speaking of Jim I’m not sure there is a more kick ass voice in all of music. His voice sounds great in the studio, but actually hearing it live in a small venue with a few thousand of your closest friends, at least for the night anyways, is an experience I won’t soon forget. The band transitioned beautifully through a number of fan favorites including, “Off the Record,” “Gideon,” “Wonderful Man,” “Golden,” and so many more before everyone but Jim James left the stage. I knew this was a good sign because all night I was hoping to hear “Bermuda Highway. It is both mine and my wife’s favorite MMJ song and probably the song that actually turned us both on to the band. Sure enough Jim picked up his guitar gently began to play “Bermuda Highway.”My wife and I were both in awe of how perfect it sounded. They ran through a few more songs before playing “Touch Me Pt 2” and left the stage.

If the show would have ended at this point I would have been more than satisfied, but luckily for everyone in attendance it didn’t. The band made their way back on stage and began to play a song I knew, but couldn’t place. After a couple of minutes they were joined on stage by none other than Dallas’s own Erykah Badu, who looked stunning in a long silver dress. The song I recognized was of course the longtime Badu live staple and MMJ favorite “Tyrone.” When she appeared on stage the crowd went absolutely insane. Her voice was so beautifully loud I thought it was going to shatter some of the liquor bottles behind the bar. By the end of the song my wife and I were completely mesmerized and couldn’t believe what we had just witnessed. The band hugged Erykah as she left the stage and then kicked into “Wordless Chorus,” which sounded amazing.

Leading up to the show I made a point to not look at any set lists because I wanted each song to be a surprise, so at this point I was beginning to wonder if they were going to play “Highly Suspicious.” It’s kind of weird because this is my least favorite song off Evil Urges, but the one I wanted to hear live the most. I kind of thought it would sound amazing in person, but I wasn’t sure. I can now officially assure you that it does. At this point they began to play “Cobra” which is one of my personal favorites. I didn’t think the evening could get any better but somehow they managed to make it perfect by closing the show out with “Run Thru” followed by “One Big Holiday.”

I can, without hesitation, say this was one of the greatest shows I have ever attended. My Morning Jacket is, without a doubt, the greatest live band in America. I know that is a bold statement, but I stand firmly behind it. GO SEE THEM!!!!

Mp3’s

My Morning Jacket - Tyrone [Erykah Badu cover] (mp3)
My Morning Jacket – Gideon (mp3)
My Morning Jacket - Off The Record (mp3)
My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges (mp3)

set list:

Evil Urges
Off the Record
Gideon
Wonderful Man
The Way He Sings
Touch Me Pt. 1
I’m Amazed
Thank You Too
Sec Walkin
Golden
Two Halves
War Begun
Laylow
Aluminum Park
Mahgeetah
Phone Went West
Bermuda Highway (Jim solo)
Look At You
Dondante
Smokin From Shootin
Touch Me Pt. 2

——Encore——

Tyrone (with Erykah Badu)
Wordless Chorus
Highly Suspicious
Cobra
Anytime
Run Thru
One Big Holiday

Videos

My Morning Jacket & Erykah Badu – “Tyrone” Dallas 08.23.08

My Morning Jacket & Erykah Badu – “Tyrone” – Dallas 08.23.08 (Lesser sound quality than above, but this shows the whole song including her entrance)

My Morning Jacket – “One Big Holiday” – Dallas 08.23.08

My Morning Jacket “Gideon” Dallas 08.23.08

My Morning jacket “Touch Me I’m Going To Scream” Dallas 08.23.08