My Morning Jacket in the Rain at Bonnaroo

It's hard to believe I didn’t love this band from the start considering how much I dig them now. My Morning Jacket is one of the best live rock bands ever and they proved that last nite with a 3-plus-hour set at Bonnaroo that came with the rain at midnite. Wow. We managed to get right up front (call it good karma!) so close I can tell you what kind of underwear Jim James was wearing. The rain grew in intensity as their set went on and by "Two Halves" we all were completely soaked through.

I loved it. But I like rain. Here’s a tip for you festival goers -- have a dry spot for your phone. In my case, that was my bra. At one point Jim James and guitarist Carl Broemel left the stage so that their gear could be covered and the stage mopped down. The drummer filled that space with an improv solo which kicked up some Dead Drumz visions for me.

But this is a band that draws on so many influences. Sure, the southern rock sound and jam band base is there but if you’ve heard Evil Urges you know that there is a total Prince/soul/R&B thing happening too with the band, which owes a lot to the vocals of Jim James. Also on the new album you can’t miss the soft rock 70’s touches too. Funny that Jim sang on the latest America comeback record. Take a look at this set list:

My Morning Jacket, Bonnaroo 2008
Evil Urges
Off the Record
Gideon
Hot Fun (Sly & the Family Stone) with Jeff Coffin on saxophone and the Nashville/Louisville Horns
Highly Suspicious
What a Wonderful Man
I'm Amazed
Thank You Too
Touch Me Pt 1
Sec Walkin
Golden
Two Halves
Laylow
Hit it and Quit it (Funkadelic)
Tyrone (Erykah Badu)
Steam Engine - with drum solo
Anytime
Aluminum Park
Easy Morning Rebel with Jeff Coffin and the Nashville/Louisville Horns
Dancefloors with Jeff Coffin and the Nashville/Louisville Horns
One Big Holiday featuring Kirk Hammett of Metallica
-- intermission --
Cold Sweat (James Brown) with Jeff Coffin and the Nashville/Louisville Horns
Get Down On It (Kool and the Gang) with Jeff Coffin and the Nashville/Louisville Horns
Across 110th Street (Bobby Womack & Peace) with Jeff Coffin and the Nashville/Louisville Horns
Wordless Chorus
Phone Went West
Mahgeetah
Oh Sweet Nuthin (Velvet Underground)
Librarian
Bermuda Highway - Jim solo
Dondante
Run Thru
Smokin from Shootin
Touch Me Pt 2
Home Sweet Home (Motley Crue) featuring Zach Galifianakis as Annie

Here’s One Minute with My Morning Jacket from the Friday night show: