The excitement of a live New Year's show is the unexpected. Knowing that it is impossible to attend every New Year's Eve Show, here are what I would consider highlights from 12/31/08 shows.
My Morning Jacket played Madison Square Garden and played a couple of fun covers: The Wanderer by Dion and the Belmonts, Islands in the Sea by Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
The Disco Biscuits played The Nokia Theatre and were joined by everyone's favorite Rasta Jew Matisyahu for Magellan.
The North Mississippi Allstars played the Orpheum in Tennessee and played All Night Long ->Lovelight -> All Night Long.
Tea Leaf Green decided to cover some Beatles tunes: The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill and While My Guitar Gently Weeps.
Yes, I know that Phil, Ratdog, Panic and others are notably missing. They may have played great shows, even Phil, Bobby & Jon's "Work in Progress" set was a typical set list, and this post was for the things that make NYE unique.
Happy New Year!