Medeski, Martin & Wood Tickets

What was I thinking? I have not heard these guys in recent years, and sure enough they're moving on and getting more experimental. I brought guests with me as I was excited to see MMW in Calgary and had was shocked by the direction the show took. I should have done a littel more homework and I blame myself. I may have been better with the show personally if the guy running the sound didn't completely botch it. I felt things were a little louder than required for such an excellent room. Things also sounded muddy. The final problem I had was with the super long set break. Awkward... Sound levels in the second set managed to get even worse. I left about twenty minutes before I lost all good memories of how MMW used to sound. I think I might have awarded another star or two to the show had I been able to hear all three of them clearly ad in balance.

This was my second time seeing MMW, and they did not dissapoint. It was a very dissonant show, so I would understand if there were people out there who did not appreciate / understand what was happening. But I truley enjoyed every second of it. It was such a perfect show for the Jack Singer Hall, there was not a single note that did not touch my soul.

Great show. I've seen these guys quite a few times, and this was the most relaxed show I've been to. They always seem to play to the venue. I was a little disappointed they didn't pull out any classic numbers, but it was good to hear the newer material. The Jack Singer Hall is a first rate venue and the sound was simply awesome.

While the musicianship throughout the performance was absolutely fantastic, I found myself disapointed with the show overall. I chalk part of that up to my lack of appreciation for atonal, interpretive, jazz. Unfortunately the majority of the first set was dominated by this non-sensical, seemingly self-indulgent noise. That being said, towards the end of the first set, and most of the second, they played more of the rock/funk/R&B influenced jazz I was hoping to hear. They played with the refined precision that can only be found with groups that have played together for years, and can read each other well. Instantly in the pocket, deep grooves, and masters of their instruments, it was a very good show overall. Finally, the length of the concert was alittle more than many had the stamina for. Given that the show took place on a week night, many people left (including myself) before they had finished playing. While great bang for the buck, the show went a little long (pushing 3 hours) for those needing to get to work early the next morning. Good experience with a few low points, but well worth the price of admission.

Great event, with lots of energy and enthusiasm! World class fusion jazz musicians playing in front of me was an unforgettable moment!!

I heard their Scofield album, which was nice, but the concert I saw wasn't that at all. It was waaaay too atonal, and too jammy...not in a fresh way. In their second set, they did a blues jam on one chord....I walked out. These guys are world renowned, and they are from New York. I guess I was just expecting more.

As a fan of the jazzier end of the jam band scene, I was looking forward to a rollicking, solo heavy, hippy thrilling gig from MMW. And that's what I got, eventually... The show was opened with some full on "clank and squeal" jazz; the bass bowed into fits of piercing atonal agony, the percussion cabinet emptied of its toys, and the sound from the keyboard pit may have included some "elbow" play. After this we were entertained by a lengthy session inspired by alien movies from the 1950's-1970's. The organs were arranged such that any number of warp settings, light sabre battles, and phaser blasts could be produced at a single touch. To the delight of the suspenders/dreadlock/patchouli wearing crowd, everything calmed down after the first half hour, allowing for a good hour and a half of great tunes. The band settled in to some extended themes, overlain with great solo work moving back and forth across the stage. This is what the Jack Singer was built for, and the energetic, awkward, angular dancing of the audience would suggest that it was a hit. A particular advantage was that the venue has started to allow beverages to be taken into the auditorium, as long as they are in plastic. A new policy that seemed very well received (particularly by me). All told, the show turned out fine; a jarring introduction that eventually led to some of the skilled and beautifully melodic improvisation that can be expected from veterans of this calibre.

mmw played an epic 3.5 hour set. from abstract to funky.

Very disappointing. Although the are all very talented, by 11:00 (after a very very long intermission), I found myself wooed to sleep by Medeski. Very self indulgent show. Too bad we didn't hear too much of their earlier work.

If you like listening to the same thing over and over again this is the concert for you. I listened to the same bar (IE: music) for over 10 minutes in one of the tunes during the first half. At least on the album there is some development and form. This was an elongated self indulged music session. Quite boring. It reminded me of myself jamming in the garage with friends for hours on one chord when I was 18 years old. Nice grooves, but way too long between different sections. Very little communication on stage. Venue was way too big and impersonal for this type of music. I own every MMW album, including live bootlegs from various parts of the world. Yes, I am a fan. I also teach jazz and perform jazz professionally. This was not a good outing for them. I don't think they gave Calgary 100% June 23,09