DMB, How I love thee......

.....let me count the ways!  

I love DMB for many reasons but I can only communicate two reasons otherwise it will not be a review but an epic novel.  First, they compose the most lyrically meaningful and melodic music.  And two, when they play their music live it is a performance like no other band.  The 40 DMB concerts I have seen all have been an unforgettable experience.  They perform as if it was their last live show together and I have never seen the same show twice. I love DMB not because its men in a rock band, although sometimes that alone can be the case, can anyone say Creed or Sugar Ray?!  (And yes, I can be a shallow prick at times.)  Seriously oh so obsessively serious, DMB are true musicians, before they formed each member in their own right was accomplished. I know that 'Dave' haters exist, I even know a few.  So for you haters out there, don't worry I am not trying to change your hate to love, but I am attempting to replace the hate with appreciation.

DMB lyrics are poetic and profound. Although I would love to quote every song that I love, I will only regale you with a song in which the lyrics have inspired me. Below is a verse of the song "Pig"

Is this not enough?
This blessed sip of life, is it not enough?
Staring down at the ground
Oh, then complain and pray for more from above,
You greedy little pig,
Stop, just watch your world trickle away
Oh, it's your problem now
It'll all be dead and gone in a few short years

Oh, just love will open our eyes
Just love will put the hope back in our minds
Much more than we could ever know
Oh, so don't burn the day away
Don't burn the day away

When I first heard this song, it made me realize how much we take for granted, and that we make a choices daily to either appreciate what we have or ignore it and want more.  We have become a materialistic society whose catch phrase should be "Bigger, Better, Faster, MORE".  I am not saying that having things and wanting them are negative; it is how much emphasis we put on those items which can be taken away at any moment.  These lyrics sing to how love and appreciation which are intangible can be infinitely more significant in the end. The beauty of this lyrical art form is that it can be interpreted in many different ways, which can move or stir us in different ways each time we listen to the same song.

Having great lyrics is only one part of the mix in the ‘Dave’ equation.  It is important that DMB back it up with music to make you move your feet.  I started out like many "Dave" fans enjoying the radio hits, 'Satellite", "Crash" and "Too Much". Those songs provided great lyrics and music but in August 1996, I fell in love as I watched them perform live at the Gorge Amphitheater in George, WA, I turned from casual listener to lover of all things DMB.  When I saw them play live, I witnessed them doing what they do best, and pardon the expression, but “Rock out with their C_ _k's out!”  I was surprised how easily they all shared the spotlight on stage, each showcasing their talent while still playing as a band.  They check their egos at the door and 'do work' for the fans, it truly is an amazing experience.  I get chills just thinking about their shows. You have Boyd Tinsley, killing it on the violin; Carter Beauford, on the drums making John "Bonzo" Bonham dance around in his grave. Stefan Lessard works the bass like a pimp works a fur coat, (ok I do sound borderline crazy)  but if you have ever seen him play the bass, it is unbelievable how into it he is, you can hear and feel the passion.  Dave Matthews, can really play the crowd, he feeds off the energy from the crowd, and you can tell how much he when he breaks out in his “chicken dance” and how some live renditions of their songs incorporate his mood, like his attempts at scatting or silliness.  LeRoi Moore, is beyond words.  The way he could rock the flute and sax was unbelievable, I mean a flute in a rock band, it just screams AWESOME! Unfortunately, LeRoi passed away, August 19, 2008, which has left a huge hole in my ‘Dave’ heart.  But I have been trying to fill it with Tim Reynolds.  Tim’s guitar playing can impersonate any instrument; he is a one man band. 

Ok, so if you have made it this far, wipe the puke remnants from your chin and let the nausea subside, because you are almost through this crazy persons review.  I just want everyone to give ‘Dave’ a chance before judging them from the overplayed songs on the radio.  I love DMB and I have tried making everyone I know appreciate them at the least.  So this is my opportunity to open/change the minds/hearts of people I don’t know. I want the love of DMB to spread like VD.  (kidding…well kinda). I want the haters to appreciate DMB’s contribution to the music world and their effort to make us appreciate our surroundings and people in our lives a bit more.   

Last but not least, I want to recommend some albums to listen for the ‘Dave’ newbie. For studio album, I highly recommend ‘Under the Table and Dreaming’.  The lyrics of all the songs are inspiring and open to interpretation of the listener.  This album is older and their first on a major label.   If you feel you are ready to conquer DMB live I would say the best one would be ‘Live at Red Rocks’ from 1995.  This is still one of my favorite live DMB albums; which says a lot since I have almost every live show I have been to on disc.  I would say that listening to DMB live may be too much for some to take.  If you don’t like to listen to a band jam out you may want to stick to the studio albums.  Listen to the live stuff after you have seen your first DMB concert, you will appreciate it more.  Most of all I recommend seeing DMB live, I have converted many of my friends from listeners to fans by taking them to a DMB concert.  As for where to see them live, I would say The Gorge Amphitheater, it is awesome experience both visually with the Columbia Gorge back drop and audibly wonderful with the natural acoustics the Gorge provides. The DMB shows generally have people from many generations and walks of life.  In my 40+ shows I have sat next to grandparents, yuppies, hippies, annoyingly drunk college kids, young children and middle-aged men and women.  The love of Dave spans over all ages, sex and socio-economic backgrounds,   If you are new to DMB I hope I have stirred your curiosity and if you are a Dave hater hopefully I have kept you from turning off the radio or TV next time they come on. And that you will listen to them again with an open mind and heart.  I love you DMB!

Sincerely,

Your Crazy ‘Dave’ music lover!

PS…Don’t worry I am mentally and emotionally balanced with the right prescription medications….yes more sarcasm!