Dave Matthews Band

[Lonie_from_50]

My mum mentioned this group to me, which I had never heard of, called the Dave Matthews Band. She asked me to look them up on the net for her, but being lazy, (or forgetful) I never got around to it.

I was flicking on AUSTAR earlier tonight, and there was the Max Sessions of, guess who, and I tell you....There music was alright. It was a Live performance in Central Park, NYC - And it was packed to the max.



Can someone tell me about the band, what is there best song(s) and if I am not alive because I never heard of the band.

Also, wha genre' would you say the band is? Listening to the one song, It reminded me with a bit of John Butler trio, mixed with a bit of jazz, acoustic and well, rock.

I really want to download some of there song(s) but which one's are the best for a fan who has never really heard of them?

Cheers in advance.

 

[Stealth bomber]

They've been one of the most successful touring bands in the US for the past decade or so and have been a firm college radio staple over that period.

They are hard to pinpoint down to one category - they are a bit of a jam band that dabbles in smooth jazz, bluegrass, funk and mainstream acoustic pop/rock. Instrumentation is drums, bass, guitar (mostly acoustic), saxophones, and violins. Three of the guys in the band are black and two are white, which is reflected in the eclecticism of their sound.

One other interesting thing about them is that three of the band members are now over 40 years old, meaning that they were in their early-mid 30s when they were signed, a rarity in this day and age of youth and image-driven hipness.

Musically they are very strong. Lyrically and vocally, Dave Matthews can leave a bit to be desired sometimes but as he himself would tell you that he's just another member of the band (the irony is that the band is named after him; it wasn't meant to be that way).

The drummer, Carter Beauford, is perhaps one of the outstanding drummers to emerge in the last 10 years. His playing is all over the beat, extremely syncopated, occasionally lightning fast and is completely ambidextrous.

They have begun to lose a bit of momentum though over the last few years. They scrapped a partially completed album and dumped their producer in favor of somebody more commercial. The album that came out (called "Everyday") was their most commercially successful but also drew the most criticism from fans who accused them of selling out.

Sessions from the scrapped album were leaked over the internet and hardcore fans proclaimed the material superior to the one that replaced it, leading the band to re-record them for the album that followed ("Busted Stuff"). One of the tracks on this album ("Grey St") is my personal favourite.

This development seemed to kill the momentum of the group as it made them appear somewhat directionless. It took them three years to release another album, called "Stand Up", which came out this month. Reviews on this one are even more polarized.

I have it, and I will say that if you want to buy an album most representative of their sound, do not buy this album as it is a very significant departure from the sounds that made them popular. It is a very stilted, sterile, pro-tooled reproduction of a living, breathing band.

I would recommend "Before These Crowded Streets" (1998) and "Under the Table & Dreaming" (1994) as their best and most representative albums.

They are an acquired taste, as some songs can stretch out to 6 or 7 minutes (even longer if you see them live, which is a show not to be missed).

In Australia they have never been hugely popular; my wife says that there was a brief period around 1996 where they got some airplay but never again after that, until this year. Apart from the current single "American Baby" (which does seem to be doing well) I haven't heard any other track on Australian radio.

I am a bit concerned about this though, as I believe it may lead people to experience "Stand Up" as a first impression of the band and drive them away, without ever hearing the older, better albums.

Toured the country for the first time in March this year, to very appreciative audiences, although there was a pretty fair percentage of American and ex-pats (like me) in the crowd at the concert I went to.

 

[Bombers_Forever]

Thanks for the summary Stealth. I must admit I have heard of them before and knew how big they were in the US and yet had never heard any of thier songs. I have stumbled on "American Baby" on the radio here and must admit I did enjoy it. I did prefer the single version rather than the album version but as a result I am thinking of getting thier album. You mentioned the album- is it worth getting?

 

[Derek Zoolander]

Central Park gig is one of the greatest taped concerts i've ever seen.

 

[Lonie_from_50]

Cheers Stealth. Very informative, especially in recommending the older albums.

Thanks once again.

Sporty - From the bit I saw (The very end ) I really missed something. A huge crowd in love with vocal and instrumental modern age type of music that I love, i am just waiting for it to come on again.

 

[Derek Zoolander]

Sporty - From the bit I saw (The very end ) I really missed something. A huge crowd in love with vocal and instrumental modern age type of music that I love, i am just waiting for it to come on again.

They finish off with All Along The Watchtower from memory. I saw them in Melbourne earlier this year and i think they closed with it (i have a bad memory). It was one of the most powerful pieces of music i have ever heard.

I know Stealths recommended already, the NY gig is on cd and is amazing. If you can get yourself a copy of it, go for it. Failing that, Before These Crowded Streets is the one i would recommend.

 

[Stealth bomber]

I have listened to "Stand Up" two or three times through, and I don't think it is as bad as I have been led to believe by critics and fickle fans, but I still feel it is their weakest effort.

About half of it is good, half of it is okay but not engaging, and two or three "hip-hop" influenced tracks towards the end of the album are absolutely horrid.

I think it suffers from poor production and from certain band members being told to hold back instead of unleash (which is what they're good at doing).

And it still sounds very disconnected to the rest of the catalogue.

Listen to sound clips or someone else's copy before you buy it is my advice, unless you like "American Baby" enough to shell out 20 bucks for it.

Go get the first three albums, and then "Busted Stuff" after that if you're still interested.

Sporty has recommended a live album, which is also good if you like live albums. They've released about as many live albums as they have studio albums I think. There's the Central Park one, and then there's the Live at Red Rocks one and one called Listener Supported. I have the Red Rocks one but not the other two, and it is good.

If you're REALLY into them, there are literally hundreds of bootlegs in existence as the band allows fans to tape live shows, and high quality mp3s of songs are often available the night after a concert. I downloaded two CD quality mp3s from the first Melbourne concert about two hours after I got home from the show!

 

[Derek Zoolander]

I forgot Live at Red Rocks, it's been ages since i've listened to it. Very very good.

 

[Borgsta]

eah I've got the live at the Central Park one. Its 3 Cd's IIRC. Great stuff.

 

[Bombers_Forever]

Thanks for the advice Stealth. Just bought Stand Up to get a sample of thier work- not bad so far. Impressed but not blown away.

 

[Mr X]

Have loved this band for more than 10 years. Concert in Melbourne recently (the second one) was fantastic.

From my perspective, the best album would have to be Under the Table and Dreaming. Also really like Live at Red Rocks, and These Crowded Streets. They have shown flashes of this on other albums, but been unable to capture that same sound again consistently since 2000 IMO.

Awsome band live though, probably one of the few that are actually better live than in the studio.

 

[rick James]

"ants marching" is a great single of theirs.

 

[Bombers_Forever]

I thought I would bump this thread.

DMB have released thier first 'Best of' Album due to the record album. The songs are selected by the fans. The first disc is album versions and the second disc is all live (different songs from Disc 1). The album version starts with Songs from "Under the Table......" and ends with songs from "Stand Up". Obviously there are plenty of songs which are deamed to be thier best that are not on either disc, which indicates they will have a couple of Best of Albums.

"The Best of What's Around" is one of my favourites.....love that track

 

[Bombers_Forever]

Bump again - I am currently watching the Central Park gig again.......awesome. I love thier version of Warehouse on this one.

The tour has been re-scheduled so no Festival. Can't wait to see them - I just hope they play Jimi Thing!

 

[Carlos]

Bought tix to the Freo Blues and Roots Festival just to see DMB with my best mate who now lives in Perth and then booked the air fairs only last week or so only for them to announce literally the next day that they've postponed.

Kinda spewing, although it lucky i really enjoy visiting Perth.

Got awesome tix to their Voda show too.

 

[Mr X]

Thought I would give this a bump given they are touring this week.

Really looking foward to it, they are just awsome live.

Gotten into Xavier Rudd in a big way recently as well, so looking forward to seeing him perform.

 

[Bombers_Forever]

They are playing Vodafone tonight - I am following the setlist now and looks good.

I am seeing them on Saturday night - can't wait!

 

[Bombers_Forever]

They played Jimi thing tonight - just hope that they play it on Saturday!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mr X]

They played Jimi thing tonight - just hope that they play it on Saturday!!!!!!!!!

....and can I tell you BF, Jimi thing was just outstanding. Massive jam for about the last 8 minutes of the songs from the wind instruments, it was just magic, close to the highlight of the night, probably along with Ants, Satelitte and Crash for mine.
Started a little scratchy, but certianly worked their way into the night very well.
Also picked up the Live Trax, Volume 6 Fenway Park July 7-8 2006 4 CD album from merchandise, had not seen it before, and looks bloody brilliant. Will be giving it a listen tonight.

On a side note, Xavier Rudd was excellent as well, possibility the best, and most talented support act I have seen at a concert. He is supporting DMB on part of their US Summer Tour, I predict he will make a big impression.

 

[Borgsta]

Is the Sat gig sold out?

If not, depending on my poker fortunes this week I may go.

 

[Bombers_Forever]

....and can I tell you BF, Jimi thing was just outstanding. Massive jam for about the last 8 minutes of the songs from the wind instruments, it was just magic, close to the highlight of the night, probably along with Ants, Satelitte and Crash for mine.
Started a little scratchy, but certianly worked their way into the night very well.
Also picked up the Live Trax, Volume 6 Fenway Park July 7-8 2006 4 CD album from merchandise, had not seen it before, and looks bloody brilliant. Will be giving it a listen tonight.

On a side note, Xavier Rudd was excellent as well, possibility the best, and most talented support act I have seen at a concert. He is supporting DMB on part of their US Summer Tour, I predict he will make a big impression.

Thanks for the review Mr X! As long as they play Jimi, I will be happy! What was the price of the Live Trax CD's? I am tempted to get one so I hope they have them at the Sydney gig.

I think the SYD gig (Saturday) is sold out although last week they still had tickets on sale at Ticketek so give their site a try.

 

[Bombers_Forever]

Did anyone go to last night's show?

 

[Bombers_Forever]

Sydney Setlist:

Intro
Crush*
Seek Up*
Tripping Billies*
Dream Girl*
Jimi Thing*
Louisiana Bayou*
Sister+
So Much To Say*
Anyone Seen The Bridge*
Too Much*
Dancing Nancies*
The Maker*
(Still Water)*~
Don't Drink the Water*~
Down By The River*~
Ants Marching*

Encore:
Gravedigger+
American Baby Intro*
Stay (Wasting Time)*

Amazing night - amazing setlist. They played for almost 3 hours - it was a great gig. Jimi Thing was my highlight - always love hearing it! Dave had a cold so his voice was a little off but the rest of the gig was great.