See Mumford and Sons-or-Why Jimmy Shouldn't Play Red Rocks

[buffettbride]

My daughter is 15 and for her birthday all she wanted were tickets to see Mumford and Sons at Red Rocks. So, last night we made the 10 minute journey from our house to the historic venue so she could soak up her favorite band. Now, I don't get out much. It has been at least 10 years since I have been to Red Rocks. Some things are different (there's a better gift shop and better potties) and some things are the same (you still smell a lot of weed and there are an extraordinary number of stairs). I am certain that there is no music venue in the world that can beat the sound and the views you get at Red Rocks.

The opening bands were solid and a few members from Mumford even came out to play a song with the openers. When the headliners finally hit the stage around 9pm, it was as electrifying as you would expect. I kept wondering what it would be like if it were a sea of Parrotheads instead of Hipsters and the cadence of Fins en masse of 9000. I wanted to get lost in that thought, but then I recalled when I last saw Jimmy here in Denver last October. It was a very canned performance. No one sang the songs or played their instrument as though their next payday depended on it. Passion was not oozing from fingers to string. Don't get me wrong. I love Jimmy, and always will. He can take me someplace no other artist can. But the love and the fire and the passion is gone from the live performance. I will caveat this with getting to see Jimmy and the Beach Band up in Aspen in 2005. Rock and roll has never been sung so sweet.

So what does that have to do with Red Rocks? Red Rocks is sacred. It is like walking on holy land. You could see how humbled Mumford and Sons were by simply having the privelige to play there and in earnest how they adored their fans. It didn't hurt that it was no secret that the crowd and concert were being filmed as part of what I am sure will become a live album, music video, or concert DVD.

What I am trying to say is make sure you see Mumford and Sons live, wherever you happen to be able to see them. It is an incredible bunch of extremely talented musicians and original music The grand-finale closer of The Beatles' With A Little Help from My Friends that included the two opening bands was the only cover song that I could identify. I know I'll be back as often as I can to see them in Denver (I got many fist bumps last night for being the coolest mom ever). Second, I am fine if Jimmy sticks with the indoor venue here in Denver, or anywhere else in Denver as long as his MO stays the same. Once he's ready to have a little humility, creativity, and soul back in his performances I'll drive up the hill, hike up the mountain, and conquer the Red Rocks stairs to see him.

If you haven't seen or heard of Mumford and Sons, here is an excellent taste:


P.S. Brit Floyd comes to Red Rocks next month and girl-kid wants to see them, too. If anyone has, please let me know if it is any good.

[chippewa]

I think sometimes the venue brings out the best in Jimmy. Places like Wrigley Field, Gulf Shores, Anguilla. Your typical Tuesday night midsummer show, not so much. I know the last Denver show was in an arena. I've seen two Buffett concerts in an arena, as you know the atmosphere is totally different. I don't think it's really conducive to a Buffett show.

[Tiki Torches]

Thanks for the review. I had an opportunity to see the Grateful Dead there back in the summer of '79 but for a variety of reasons that just didn't work out. Hopefully the opportunity to see a show there again will present itself again at some point. As for Mumford and Sons, they first came onto my radar a couple of years ago but I didn't really sit up and take notice of them until I heard Rock n' Roll Will Save Your Life author Steve Almond on NPR discussing his book around that same time. During the course of the interview, someone called in raving about Mumford and Sons' "Little Lion Man" so one of the first things I did was to go out and buy the album. They played Raleigh last summer but the temps were so sweltering that I passed them by that evening. Even the harshest of the local music critics were wowed by their performance so, in retrospect, I wish I would have gone to see them. Hopefully next time they swing through town.

NSFW

[buffettbride]

Thanks for the review. I had an opportunity to see the Grateful Dead there back in the summer of '79 but for a variety of reasons that just didn't work out. Hopefully the opportunity to see a show there again will present itself again at some point. As for Mumford and Sons, they first came onto my radar a couple of years ago but I didn't really sit up and take notice of them until I heard Rock n' Roll Will Save Your Life author Steve Almond on NPR discussing his book around that same time. During the course of the interview, someone called in raving about Mumford and Sons' "Little Lion Man" so one of the first things I did was to go out and buy the album. They played Raleigh last summer but the temps were so sweltering that I passed them by that evening. Even the harshest of the local music critics were wowed by their performance so, in retrospect, I wish I would have gone to see them. Hopefully next time they swing through town.

NSFW

One of the best placed F-bombs in a song for sure, and incredible live. Ben Lovett, the keyboardist is really somethin' else (and super yummy hot).

Definitely catch them the next time you can.

[Wildh2oskier]

I think sometimes the venue brings out the best in Jimmy. Places like Wrigley Field, Gulf Shores, Anguilla. Your typical Tuesday night midsummer show, not so much. I know the last Denver show was in an arena. I've seen two Buffett concerts in an arena, as you know the atmosphere is totally different. I don't think it's really conducive to a Buffett show.

Agreed, when Jimmy played Gulf Shores you could that he was happy, no dammit it was obvious that he wanted to be there on the beach.
I contrast that to his last stop in Birmingham. It was a payday. He did what was expected but there just wasn't that spark or pizazz or what ever you want to call it.

[Elrod]

[Tequila Revenge]

My daughter is 15 and for her birthday

That's the part that floored me. Sorry for sounding cliche, but man time flies. In 10 more years she'll have her drivers license, high school and college degrees, maybe even married and a baby and you'll be Grandma BB

Oh, and I agree with the other stuff too.

[buffettbride]

My daughter is 15 and for her birthday

That's the part that floored me. Sorry for sounding cliche, but man time flies. In 10 more years she'll have her drivers license, high school and college degrees, maybe even married and a baby and you'll be Grandma BB

Oh, and I agree with the other stuff too.

You got that right. I'm so f'd.