Dave Matthews Band - Live at Piedmont Park
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Free Music Notes for Live at Piedmont Park
Free Music Review: Mediocre
Hit: 3 Stars
Notice how some of those raving reviews are written by people who claim to have been at the concert? I'm sure it was a great concert in person, but it doesn't really come through on record for the rest of us.
Truth be told, it's not a great live record, especially compared to the fantastic Central Park Concert or Live in Chicago. Much of the setlist relies on old favorites, like (yet another version of) Ants Marching, Two Step, One Sweet World, etc. etc. The problem with the entire record is Matthews' vocals. For longtime fans who've noticed and appreciated how far his vocal stylings have come - remember that nasal whine from the mid-to-late '90s? - they will surely be disappointed by his sheer laziness here. In all honesty, his vocals sounds awful, with half of the verses sounding like some strange kind of warble. The recording itself is pretty good (though it can't compare to the flawless sound of Weekend on the Rocks) besides Boyd Tinsley's violins - they sound out of tune. Whether that's him or the recording, I dunno - some songs are particularly off regardless.
What's so frustrating about these little quirks is inclusion of some newer and rarer songs, which hampered my enjoyment of them somewhat. Three new songs make their record debut here - "Eh Hee", "#27", and "Cornbread." I personally preferred the solo version of "Eh Hee" released through iTunes, but this one is suitable, and is an interesting tune nonetheless. "#27" is my favorite of DMB's new tracks, a dark little tune with some great lyrics. "Cornbread" is also different, and probably an acquired taste, but hey - new DMB material. Solid enough intro to some new material. Also included is the rarity "The Dreaming Tree" - too bad it's bogged down with a seemingly-endless boring jam. Some other fun stuff includes Warren Haynes on "What Would You Say" and Greg Allman on "Melissa." Good stuff, probably the highlight of the record.
But everything else is just ho-hum versions of songs that be heard better elsewhere. Better versions of "Two Step", "Don't Drink the Water", "So Much To Say-Too Much", "Warehouse", "Stay (Wasting Time)", "All Along the Watchtower", and "Grey Street" can all be found on the Central Park Concert. 4 better versions of "Lousiana Bayou" can be found on Weekend on the Rocks. In fact, a lot of these songs have better many better versions out there, either on retail releases or the band's online-only Live Trax series.
Hardcore fans like myself will buy this release anyway. Casual fans, go get The Central Park Concert. If you're somewhere in between... well, go download the rarities and new songs. Skip the rest of the album.
Free Music Review: Truly A Gift
Hit: 5 Stars
The Dave Matthews Band is one of the most compelling bands ever in the history of music. They are different. From the sound of their music to the lyrics that are sung The Dave Matthews Band is original. They have also been enduring. Their professional careers beginning in 1994 with the studio release, Under The Table And Dreaming. They have created a generous catalog of music. Nothing has ever been the same. Critized often by more casual fans for not settling into a comfortable mold, The Dave Matthews Band continues to push the boundaries that others are content to reside within.
This particular release, Live At Piedmont Park From Atlanta, Georgia had attention of my intuition from the moment that I became aware of it's existence. I don't know why? The cover is part of the reason, tangible or not, there was something memorable and mysterious about the image. As well, and more importantly, the track listing really caught my interest. They had never performed The Dreaming Tree before on a Nationally Released live album. I guess they were waiting for the most powerful performance to show itself and I would have to say this is it. I also had always been a fan of the song titled You Might Die Tryin' and I always wondered what it would translate into live.
Now I know. I have to say that in many ways I think of this song as The Dave Matthews Band anthem. It encapsulates the most important message Dave has ever had in his lyrics. Go for it, no matter what. You have to try. He sings with such passion the words he has written and perhaps that other members of the band contributed too. You can tell that Dave really loves this song, at least that is my feeling. You Might Die Tryin' is the one song I would tell the non-Dave Matthews Band fan to listen to in order to get a general idea of what their music is about...or I might also instead pick Two Step...I don't know.
I really have felt the loss of Leroi Moore and he was the main reason that picked up Live At Piedmont Park. I kept putting it off because my money is just so tight but when I heard that he passed, I cried and then decided to buy the record hoping to find his greatest performance in the last Nationally Released Live Album that was available to everyone. I know the Warehouse has releases, but it's just too hard to keep up with, either way I found what I was looking for. Melissa. Greg Allman and Dave Matthews seemed made for eachother styles on this track and the entire band shined. Boyd Tinsley really stood out through the whole song with his viloin playing. But what I always look forward too most when I listen to this track is Leroi's solo. It's the most beautiful and serene solo he ever played in my opinion. It's surreal and I can't believe that I found this from him on this record, because I wanted to find it so badly. It means alot to me the solo he played. There's only one other Saxophone solo that I can think of that stands up to what Leroi did here and it was a solo that Charlie Parker had on a studio recording of All The Things You Are/52nd Street Theme, on a Greatest Hits titled Round Mid-night that is available and instock on amazon.com that I have also written a review for.
Other stand outs for me would be Two Step, #27, Cornbread, Grey Street, Louisiana Bayou, Eh Hee, Too Much, Warehouse, All Along The Watch Tower and Stay, which I am so glad they finally performed again live. If it looks like I just picked out the entire album, that's just what I did, the entire album is awesome, just listen, don't skip. I think this might be the greatest album and the greatest music ever in the history of music. I think, you'll think, it's good as well.
Free Music Review: Not the Best, but Worthwhile
Hit: 4 Stars
A Dave Matthews Live album, not really a fresh idea. However, a performance tape is still the best way to enjoy the band (except for "Crash" in my opinion).
As with most DMB in concert recordings, there are some items that have been done far better elsewhere.
As with most DMB in concert recordings, too, there are a few gems that make the purchase a delight. Here, "The Learning Tree" is worth the price, and the teaming of Matthews and Greg Allman on "Melissa" adds icing to the torte.
I much prefer the Central Park Concert album, but this was still worth adding to my collection.
Free Music Review: Live Dave Matthews
Hit: 5 Stars
The Dave Matthews Band sounds great live and this recording of their concert fortifies that. Even though I wasn't able to attend the concert this CD makes up for it by far. If you like DMB then this CD will not disappoint. Free Music Review: Still the best
Hit: 5 Stars
Dave Matthews never ceases to amaze, no matter how many times you hear a song its never the same, a master of variation and versatility. He has become an institution but has not been tainted by the commercial and financial pressures of Superstars.
This DVD epitomizes the essence of the band and again proves that DMB are one of the best live acts in the world.
A nice touching moment when Greg Allman is brought on for a duet with Dave.
An excellent DVD worthy of a place in anyones collection.
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