I can't remember how I obtained their first CD - it was an independent release so I'm not sure if I got it at Tower Records (remember them?!) or through a direct mail order from Bama Rags (DMB's own recording label). Either way, I remember loving it and memorizing every word to every song.
As my high school career progressed, DMB grew larger and larger. By the time I was a senior, the group had released 4 albums (Remember Two Things, Recently, Under the Table and Dreaming, Crash), received a Grammy nomination for "What Would You Say", had performed on the "Late Show with David Letterman" and "Saturday Night Live" and launched their first national and European tour. A far cry from their early days in Charlottesville!
In the fall of 1995, an AMAZING opportunity was presented to the Woodson class of '96. We were looking for new fundraising options and found that George Mason University's Patriot Center paid groups to be part of the clean-up crew after a concert or other live performance. While this may not seem great on paper to many, the band we were offered to clean up after was none other than the Dave Matthews Band making it the BEST fundraiser EVER. And there was an additional opportunity for a small group to be at the venue before the show started to help set-up the floor level chairs. Um hello? Sign me up!! My memory of the night is patchy, but I do remember getting to hear parts of the sound check before the show and I did obtain a used saxophone reed from the legendary LeRoi Moore. It is a treasured piece of wood that I will hold onto always. Rest in peace, LeRoi!
I actually found the full concert from that night on YouTube (crazy!). It's amazing to listen to what I heard during my first, live Dave Matthews Band experience back in 1995. Take a peek at the first few minutes and note the signature baggy pants that Dave sported in the early years and his fancy footwork. What's really great is that he references a "new album" they are working on and plays new song "Crash Into Me". LOVE IT!! Here is the set list for those who are interested. :)
My DMB obsession continued in college where I met a slew of other Dave lovers. Looking at my ticket stubs, it seems I hit up a Dave concert every summer from 1995 - 2002. Back then, before the no-tailgating rule was put into place at Jiffy Lube Live, we would show up early in the day, set up "camp", head to the concert and then have a post-show tailgate since it took forever to get out of the Nissan Pavilion parking lot. Lots of amazing memories were made in that damn parking lot!
I've been to a little over half a dozen shows and each of them had set lists with songs from the early days, the current album they were promoting and new stuff they were working on. They are famous for their 15-20 minute jams which are not only is it amazing to hear, but also awesome to watch as they passionately bounce around the stage and feed off each other. My most favorite jam is the version of "Jimi Thing" that they did at the Central Park Concert in 2003. I wasn't at the FREE concert (boo!) but I did purchase the CD and DVD so that I could witness this momentous event.
Ed and I went to our first Dave Matthews Concert in 2009 at Jones Beach. He was a Dave novice, but started getting into the music after seeing them live. DMB has that effect on people. :) We incorporated a DMB song into our wedding (of course!) and danced to "Ants Marching" as we made our big entrance into the reception room. The band did a GREAT job with the song and it really got people pumped up for the party that was ahead of them.
DMB didn't enter our world again until just this past Saturday. We secured a babysitter for the night (we love Miss Ellen!), and headed to Jiffy Luby Live to visit the scene of many a drunken concert experience...well for me that is. :) We arrived just in the nick of time to hear them open with "Ants Marching". Dave definitely knows what to play to get a crowd going! It was packed - sold out I'm sure and everyone with hyped up. They played a variety of music from classics like "Two Step", "#41" and "Granny" to newer hits like "Belly Belly Nice", "Why I Am" (awesome BTW) and "If Only". They also played a few covers which was pretty cool to hear. Take a peek at the full set list as decorated by bassist, Stefan Lessard: http://instagram.com/p/cUGJEZoRKU/. We had a great time at the show and felt like college kids again as we danced and belted out one song after another (more me than Ed). An extra special treat was the presence of guitar legend Tim Reynolds.
I can go on and on about my love for the Dave Matthews Band, but in an effort to get back to my life, I'll just leave you with this. If you are a Dave novice and are looking for a way to hear some great music, do yourself a favor and pick up the following cd's:
- Live at Red Rocks 8.15.95
- Live at Luther College
- Listener Supported
- The Central Park Concert
- Busted Stuff
- Big Whisky and the GrooGrux King
Believe me, you will not be disappointed. :)
