The DMB

[Gemini Cricket]

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/braddoc310/1525101296_101f4bd786.jpg
(LeRoi Moore 1961-2008)


Bornieo had suggested that I buy a ticket to last night's DMB concert. I almost didn't, I didn't have the funds to do it. But, I decided what the heck and put it on a card. I am glad that Bornieo had mentioned it, or else I would have missed the window of opportunity to scoop up a ticket. If I hadn't had a ticket, I would have missed the best concert experience of my life.

I went into Staples Center oblivious to the official report that was released that afternoon that LeRoi Moore had died. When the concert started up, people were crying his name, but I thought those were shout outs for him to recover quickly. What I didn't know was that people were mourning all around me.

My seats which were off to the side of the floor and three rows away from the stage was a mixed blessing. They were the best seats I have ever had for a concert and at the same time, the worst.

The Dave Matthews Band started off the concert with a kick to the chest. 'Bartender' slammed the crowd. Dave let out this primal scream during the song that stunned me. It was so very powerful and something he so very saves until later on in the set. But this time it was upfront. Then I noticed Carter Beauford. This man, in almost every single shot of him in concert, is always smiling. Last night, for the beginning of the concert, he wasn't. When Carter Beauford isn't smiling, something is wrong with the world. And there was, at least in the world of the DMB.

After the song concluded, Dave made his announcement. 'We got some bad news today.' The Staples Center went silent. He told us that LeRoi 'gave up his ghost' that very afternoon. LeRoi Moore was one of the founding members of the group. Without him, there would have been no DMB.

For the first time ever, I had wished my seat were farther away from the stage. All of these men were grieving and some fresh with tears. It broke my heart. At one point, after the song 'Satellite', Carter broke down, wiping tears from his face. The others held it together, but it was clearly evident that had they been alone, they would have been crying as well.

But the thing that blew me away was that despite just getting the news hours before the show, they didn't cancel and gave a legendary performance. It was a tribute, them playing all of Moore's favorite songs, but it was no sad, solemn experience. It was a celebration of the life of a departed brother. For 3 hours, the DMB rocked us hard. A sight to behold, indeed.

A couple of highlights from the show were the covers they did of 'Burning Down the House' and 'Sledgehammer'. The latter was funky and a nice homage to the original, but the former hit the house like a freight train. They transformed the Crowded House*** song into a slamming, rocked up tune.

And, of course, 'Two Step' and 'Corn Bread' was awesome as usual.

As always, the crowd is always part of the show. During 'Everyday' lots of people in the house were hugging each other, strangers too just like the video. It was neat. And DMB fans added their own lines to the song, during a jam session at the end of the song, the crowd sang "Honey, Honey, come and dance with me" and it totally amped up the experience. (I'm not sure of the origin of that, but it's so very nice.) This is definitely one DMB concert that I need to get the bootleg of.

What I took with me from the Staples Center last night, was the lesson that in loss there can be celebration and joy, too. Being melancholy, playing sad tunes, canceling shows would not do the man justice. Carrying on with the show, giving amazing performances and playing Moore's favorites was what was needed and what was done. And nothing was done half-hearted either, they gave it their all and let it ride for three hours. As the night progressed, the sad went away and was replaced with joy for LeRoi.

The setlist:

Bartender
Proudest Monkey
Satellite
So Damn Lucky
Eh Hee
Water Into Wine
Burning Down The House
Dancing Nancies
Loving Wings
The Maker
Sledgehammer
Grey Street
Dreaming Tree
Crash Into Me
Everyday
Anyone Seen The Bridge
Too Much Intro
Ants Marching


Encore:
Sister
Corn Bread
Two Step


***ETA: Burning Down the House is a Talking Heads song. thx, GD!

[mousepod]

Great reading this. It's nice to be working with you today as you bask in the afterglow of a great rock concert. They don't happen often enough these days.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Ya know, it's such a special and rare thing to have been a part of. Hundreds of shows and you attend the one surounded by such a personal event for the band. I'm glad you went and have the experince to treasure.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Just a point of fact: Burning Down the House is Talking Heads, not Crowded House.

Sounds like an awesome experience, glad you got to partake.

[Gemini Cricket]

Just a point of fact: Burning Down the House is Talking Heads, not Crowded House.

Sounds like an awesome experience, glad you got to partake.
Ha. You're right.
:blush:
I hope this cover is on their next album. It's great!

[innerSpaceman]

OMG, GC, I'm so glad you got to be involved with such an awesome concert experience by your most awesomely loved DMB.


Thanks for the cool report.

[CoasterMatt]

Sounds like a wonderful tribute for an excellent musician.

[Sohrshah]

You know, I have alot of respect for them that they played anyway- it was probably the best way to deal with it- and to honor him- that they could have done. I'm glad for you, that you were there for something so special- even if solemn.

*hugs*

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Great report. Nothing like going to a seriously good music show to refresh the soul, even in the light of a tragedy.

:snap:

[Gemini Cricket]

Here is a shot from last night.
SFW
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/braddoc310/IMG00002.jpg

[Gemini Cricket]

Great report. Nothing like going to a seriously good music show to refresh the soul, even in the light of a tragedy.

:snap:
Totally, CP. It did feel like that. My soul was recharged.
:)

[innerSpaceman]

Um, was that photo from your P.O.V.???


O.M.G.

[Kevy Baby]

A cow orker is going tonight.

[Gemini Cricket]

Um, was that photo from your P.O.V.???


O.M.G.
No, no. The photo is from a friend who was there last night. She smuggled a camera in somehow...
:)

Here's where I sat. X marks the spot.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/braddoc310/endstage.gif

Best seat I've ever had for a concert. I could actually see the band without help from the huge screens.

[innerSpaceman]

Yes, those are good seats, even if not as fantastic as the GAF Photo Spot. Perhaps, though, your head would have exploded, and heart have been crushed, if you experienced the joyful yet grievous emotions at such close range.

[flippyshark]

A cow orker is going tonight.

That poor cow.

[Gemini Cricket]

I'm getting live updates on tonight's concert.

This is what they played so far:

Seek Up
Warehouse
Gravedigger
Rhyme And Reason
Crush
Old Dirt Hill
#41
You Might Die Trying
Where Are You Going
Pantala Naga Pampa
Rapunzel

[Gemini Cricket]

#41

Come and see
I swear by now I'm playing time against my troubles
I'm coming slow but speeding
Do you wish a dance and while
I'm in the front
The play on time is won
But the difficulty is coming here
I will go in this way
And find my own way out
I won't tell you to stay
But I'm coming to much more
Me
All at once the ghosts come back
Reeling in you now
What if they came down crushing
Remember when I used to play for
all of the loneliness that nobody
notices now
I'm begging slow I'm coming here
Only waiting I wanted to stay
I wanted to play,
I wanted to love you
I'm only this far
And only tomorrow leads my way
I'm coming waltzing back and
moving into your head
Please, I wouldn't pass this by
I wouldn't take any more than
What sort of man goes by
I will bring water
Why won't you ever be glad
It melts into wonder
I came in praying for you
Why won't you run
in the rain and play
Let the tears splash all over you

[Gemini Cricket]

Complete set list from last night:

Seek Up *
Warehouse *
Gravedigger *
Rhyme And Reason *
Crush *
Old Dirt Hill *
#41 *
You Might Die Trying *
Where Are You Going
Pantala Naga Pampa *http://road.davematthewsband.com/img/arrowintosong.gif
Rapunzel *
Out Of My Hands +
Jimi Thing *
So Much To Say *
Anyone Seen The Bridge *http://road.davematthewsband.com/img/arrowintosong.gif
Too Much
Louisiana Bayou *

__________________

Sledgehammer *
Stay (Wasting Time) *


Show Notes:
Send good thoughts for LeRoi
* Jeff Coffin
+ No Horns, Dave on piano

http://road.davematthewsband.com/img/arrowintosong.gif indicates a segue into next song

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I got curious and found a couple of recordings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeDKJPVdsmk) of their Sledgehammer cover (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeDKJPVdsmk). Quality is crappy but I wanted to hear instrumentation. I'm sure it kicked serious ass in person.

[Not Afraid]

They picked 2 great songs to cover! I'm glad it was a great experience.

[BarTopDancer]

That sounds like an awesome experience. Thank you for sharing!

[Gemini Cricket]

They picked 2 great songs to cover! I'm glad it was a great experience.
It was such a rush. When they played the first few notes of "Sledgehammer", the place went nuts. Same with "BDtH".

CP ~ It was awesome in person. I'm running out of positive adjectives for Tuesday night... :D

[katiesue]

I'm so glad you had such an awesome experience.

[Not Afraid]

Burning Down the House (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wnD_Roe5SU)

This one is better sound, but no visuals. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gg_vVf3W0A)

It makes me REALLY miss the Talking Heads. This moment from this incredible tour was chill-inducing - it is even now. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ozc70JPGRMQ)

[Gemini Cricket]

I found these clips on YouTube. I just adored watching Dave on this show. Gosh, I love this man.

Politically Incorrect 1998 - Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpXGszpinjo)

Politically Incorrect 1998 - Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1rZOpPafoo)

Politically Incorrect 1999 - Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktbCuDoyUoQ)

Politically Incorrect 1999 - Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6TEIf2ssCQ)

Politically Incorrect 2001 - Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At3IMPNB0MM)

Politically Incorrect 2001 - Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKaLI8zuca0)

:)

[Gemini Cricket]

Proudest Monkey

And if I go, before I'm old
Oh brother of mine, please don't forget me if I go
And if I die, before my time
Oh sweet sister of mine, do not regret me if I die

Bartender, please fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus
That set Him free after three days down

Bartender, please fill my glass deep for me
With the wine you gave Jesus
That set Him free after three days down

On bended knees, I pray, Bartender please
On bended knees, God please

Oh, and if this gold, should steal my soul away
Oh mother of mine, please redirect me if this gold...

Bartender, please fill one up for me
Of the kind you gave Jesus
That set Him free after three days down

On bended knees, I pray, Bartender please
On bended knees, Bartender please

[The Newer Version, from Summer 2000]

If I go
Before I'm old
Oh, brother of mine
Please don't forget me if I go

Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground

Oh, and if I die
Before my time
Oh, sweet sister of mine
Please don't regret me if I die

Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground

Bartender, please
Fill my glass for me
With the wine you gave Jesus that set him free
After three days in the ground

I'm on bended knees, I pray
Bartender, please

When I was young, I didn't think about it
Now I just can't get it off my mind

I'm on bended knees
Father, please

If all this gold
Should steal my soul away
Oh, dear mother of mine
Please redirect me if this gold...

Bartender, you see
The wine that's drinking me
Came from the vine that strung Judas from the Devil's tree
It's roots deep, deep in the ground

Bartender, you see
The wine that's drinking me
Came from the vine that strung Judas from the Devil's tree
It's roots deep, deep in the ground
In the ground...

I'm on bended knees
Oh, Bartender, please

I'm on bended knees
Father, please

When I was young, I didn't dream about it
Now I think about it all the time

I'm on bended knees
Oh, Bartender, please
Bartender, please

[madmonkeygirl]

Glad you went and had a blast given the circumstances. Wow that is an awesome seat. Only time i got close that way was thru fan club never thru Ticketmaster and wouldn't wait til day of show but then again Staples this one fan got front row in front of Richie she just lucked out. They rock that they didn't cancel and still went on. Kudos to them. Not many bands would do that. Very easy to smuggle a camera into the show...lol

[Kevy Baby]

Isn't the Dave Mathews Band just a lip-sync band?

[Gemini Cricket]

Isn't the Dave Mathews Band just a lip-sync band?
May your next parking spot at Disneyland be Minnie 1K.

:D

[Gemini Cricket]

Woohoo! New Dave Matthews Band coming out June 2nd.
They released one of the singles "Funny How It Is" from "Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King" today. Free.
I listened to it already. It's sweet!
Yeehaw!
Happy Brad!

http://www.rcarecords.com/dmbfreedownload/

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/braddoc310/album-art.jpg
The cover of the new CD! Drawn by Dave.



http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/braddoc310/78684-DMB_Billboard_Cover_XL.jpg
The current Billboard mag with Carter, Dave, Stefan and Boyd on it. So weird not seeing LeRoi with them. :(

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/braddoc310/DaveMatthewsBand-01-big.jpg
A still from a photo shoot to promote BW&TGK.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/braddoc310/DMB_09_CLR_01.jpg
Dave sporting the longer hair. I likes. :)


New DMB album overload. Brad's head... about to explode!
:D

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Awesome. :)

Are they including a cover or two from the show you saw?

[Gemini Cricket]

Awesome. :)

Are they including a cover or two from the show you saw?
I hope they do. They have not released a track list yet.
:)

[Gemini Cricket]

Funny The Way It Is

Lying in the park on a beautiful day
The sunshine in the grass
And the children play
Sirens passing fire engine red
Someone's house is burning down
On a day like this

The evening comes and we're hanging out
On a front step and a car goes by
With the windows rolled down
And that war song is playing
Why can't we be friends
Someone is screaming and crying
In the apartment upstairs

Funny the way it is
Make you think about it
Somebody's going hungry
And someone else is eating out
Funny the way it is
Not right or wrong
Somebody's heart is broken
And it becomes your favorite song

The way your mouth feels in your lover's kiss
Like a pretty bird on the breeze
Or water to a fish
The bomb blast brings the building crashing to the floor
Hear the laughter
While the children play war

Funny the way it is
Make you think about it
One kid walks ten miles to school
An others dropping out
Funny the way it is
Not right or wrong
A soldiers last breath
His baby's being born

Standing on a bridge
Watch the water passing underneath
It must have been much harder
When there was no bridge just water
Now the world is small
Compared to how it use to be
With mountains and oceans
And winters and rivers and stars

Funny the way it is
Make you think about it
One kid walks ten miles to school
An others dropping out
Funny the way it is
Not right or wrong
A soldiers last breath
His baby's being born

Funny the way it is
Not right or wrong
Somebody's broken heart
And it becomes your favorite song
Funny the way it is
Make you think about it
One kid walks ten miles to school
An others dropping out

Standing on a bridge
Watch the water passing underneath
It must have been much harder
When there was no bridge just water
Now the world is small
Compared to how it use to be
With mountains and oceans
And winters and rivers and stars

[Gemini Cricket]

New DMB CD is out today.
Going to pick it up at lunch.
Can't wait.
So very happy!
:)

[Jazzman]

I never noticed this thread before. GC, so nice to hear from a fellow DMB fan who was there at Staples the night they bid LeRoi farewell. So sad... They'll always be great, but never the same. I'm finally dragging The Wife out to the Gorge to see them this year. It's been years since I've been able to make it to the Gorge gig, and I'm sooooo looking forward to it. It'll be weird not hearing LeRoi, but I'll still hear his work in my mind as the songs play on.

Can't wait to hear the new stuff! I'm going to have to mosey on over to iTunes and check it out.

[Gemini Cricket]

Just been happily listening away to the new DMB. Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King is their best album since Busted Stuff. It's fun, it's sad, it jams.

A couple of the stand out tracks are:
"Shake Me Like a Monkey" - they are on fire in this song, Lessard is the bomb
"Why I Am" - a tribute to LeRoi (the Groogrux King)
"Time Bomb" - it's about rage, it's about letting it all out, it's powerful
"Funny the Way It Is" - commentary on the world, not bad
"Squrim" - Dark and lovely.

The CD starts off with a LeRoi Moore intro that slam bangs into Monkey. Totally good stuff.

I watched DMB on Jimmy Fallon. They were great. In good form. Dave looking as hot as ever, sounding as loony as ever, too. Love him!