| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Fluffy |
Posted - 04/21/2007 : 02:15:00 AM
It was an evening filled with puss filled cysts and FEVER! Well it was a spectacular show to kick off the run here in Boston. Color me impressed. Although I have been to a few T&D shows for one reason or another I never really paid much attention to the entire show. Tonite it had my full attention and really gave me a new appreciation for Dave and his songs and certainly what TR brings to the table for these performances. Dave was in VERY talkative mood. Since I don't have alot of experience with these shows I didn't know if it was more than usual but I guessed it was and that was confirmed by his crew. He is a very funny guy. I see alot of TR's onstage banter and can certainly see Dave's influence on TR in the department. Dave told a story tonite that lasted for no less than 10 minutes about a trip he took with some friends and the appearance of a giant puss filled cyst. He told, in great detail I might add, about the discovery and the eventual solution to this medical dilemma. Would you believe it involved a bible and a thesaurus? After they had successfully vanquished the aforementioned puss filled cyst Dave said he let out an "It's a miracle!" As the puzzled audience laughed themselves silly Dave said he could tell a ridiculous story like that because "I have BALLS!" LOL Throughout the evening Dave defended his wandering storytelling on "the fever". I certainly haven't seen him that many TIMes but he seemed to in rare form on this particular evening. I looked around at the Dave crew and they were looking at each other with puzzled laughter and I thought "this is a SPECIAL nite!"
I assessed the audience as what I would call a "medium" crowd, quieter than I expected but louder than I would have liked. Compared to most TR shows they were fantastic. LOL I checked with the crew again for some perspective and was happy to be told that the audience was quieter than most T&D audiences but still not the level of the European audiences. Still it was a wonderful show and T&D both seemed to be having a great TIMe. Dave must have introduced TR about 10 TIMes always to a rousing response which was very nice to see. At the end of one song, I think it was Crush, TR did a solo that got the audience to their feet. This would not be the last TIMe in the evening, TR got a rousing standing ovation after his solo song as well. The audience seemed to really appreciate TR's presence and contribution to the evening. I was lucky enuf to be situated very close to Dave for TR's solo song and I wish I could describe to you the intensity with which Dave watched TR perform. He is no mere TR fan, you could call him a die-hard, worth of TR Task Force. He appeared riveted by TR's performance. Much like I am when I sit down and really pay attention. Even after all these years TR never ceases to amaze me and it would appear that Dave feels the same way.
So from a TR fan perspective who has never really seen TR perform with Dave but is quite familiar with TR solo it was wonderful to see how much of the set he plays with Dave is improv. I was watching TR thinking, this is TR jamming, this is unscripted TR. I sat there thinking that it appears that TR has the structure of the song down but so much of what he does within the structure is adlibbed. I mentioned that to TR after the show and he confirmed that that is how it is for him on those shows. TR's parts seemed very unplanned yet complimented the material so well. TR never ceases to amaze be with his gift. TR said that it is very improvised and that the audience and "vibe" have alot to do with that. He mentioned that on the european dates he noticed a distinctive difference in his playing from country to country and that really excited him. It has me quite excited for the next 2 shows to see where TR goes with some of those same songs on subsequent nites. It's just like a TR TouR in that regard as that is one of the funnest parts of my job is that I have the opportunity to see him nite after nite so I hear the differences in the songs as played on different nites while staying within the structure of the song. TR is definitely a master when it comes to that. Fantastic stuff! T&D really have a repore when they get together. It is unmistakeable, they feed off each other and do it so well. I also became alot for familiar with the lyrics to Dave's songs tonite which helped me alot more to appreciate what an really good songwriter he is and what TR has been trying to tell me all these years. It's safe to say that "I got it" finally tonite. They played for almost 3 hours and setlist looked something like this at least to me..............
Dave Song
Dave Song
Dave Song
Dave Song
Dave Song
Dave Song
Dave Song
Dave Song
Dave Song
Dave Song
Dave Song
BETRAYAL
Dave Song
Dave Song
Dave Song
Dave Song
Dave Song
Dave Song
Dave Song
Dave Song
Dave Song
Dave Song
Dave Song
Dave Song
------------
Down by the River(Neil Young cover)absolutely beautiful I might add.
Dave Song
As I said before, color me impressed. Not only by TR but a new respect for Dave as a songwriter and performer. He really has a way on stage of making you feel like you are just sitting in a room with him and he is telling these stories and playing these songs just for you. The truth is you are in a large room with alot of other people but Dave really has a way of connecting with his audience on an almost individual level. I told TR that Dave just seems so comfortable up there. He spent alot of the evening trying to tame the loudmouths but even when he chastised them he did it in a friendly manner that just made you smile and laugh. The set also had some very emotional moments, Sister comes to mind, those lyrics are just plain deep and if you have ever lost someone close you can't help but be moved by that song. The high point of the nite for me was definitely Dave's between song banter and the storys and let me assure you it is 100% Dave. He just cracks me up. Musically the highpoint was definitely T&D's interpretation of Neil Young's Down by the River. It was absolutely SPECTACULAR! I may be the only person in the world who discovered Dave Matthews thru Tim Reynolds instead of vice versa. LOL This is Fluffy signing off from Boston, good nite and have a pleasant tomorrow! |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| tericee |
Posted - 04/27/2007 : 03:57:26 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Fluffy
uhhhhhh, even MY "SISTER" doesn't read what I write. LOL Reread last paragraph silly.
Sorry! I was probably rushing off to post about European audiences...
Anyway, I'm glad you liked that song too. It made me teary-eyed. |
| Gravedigger |
Posted - 04/25/2007 : 8:18:43 PM
After driving 10 hours from Cleveland to Boston I was able to see my 2nd D+T show.
The crowd around me sucked as people kept yelling 'happy 4-20' and 'Timmy' along with song requests. This was from the last few rows of the whole place...
Also, the show started slow. But from Lie In Our Graves on, it was fucking great.
I'm just going to comment on some of the highlights.
Old Dirt Hill - A DMB song I hate...maybe my least favorite. It was actually really good D+T. Tim added some great fills early on and then a whole new breakdown by D+T into a outro nothing like the song. Pretty solid.
Satellite - A 'classic' D+T song. Just for Tims fills during the intro and chorus. Dave hasnt been able to hit the falsetto in years, but his voice is back. Good version
Lie In Our Graves - Tim had 2 or 3 really nice parts during this song. His solo during the bridge being the biggest one. For as slow as this show started, this brought everyone back into it...Dave and Tim included i think
Crush - Another great D+T tune because it leaves lots of room for improv. Tims part between the verses was very bluegrass sounding using the slide guitar. Then as the song came to an end Tim layed down a great solo that lead into a brief guitar jam with Dave to end the song. One of the highlights of the show.
Betrayal - Dave mentioned how this was his favorite part of the show. At first I thought he was gearing up to play I'm Your Captain, but as Betrayal started the crowd was pretty respectful. This personally would never be my first choice of a solo song, but it was beautifully done. One of my friends who goes to DMB shows with me isnt the biggest TR fan mentioned how great it was. Tim got about a 80% standing O.
#41 - Another D+T classic and great to hear with Daves voice being back. I was a little pissed they took away tims solo at the end to replace it with vocals from 'Everyday' but oh well.
Smooth Rider - A DMB song I hate, but wasnt to bad D+T. Tim added some cool fills and a nice, but short, jam between the 1st half and 2nd half of the song. Very bluesy parts from Tim
Jimi Thing -> Pantala Naga Pampa - Always great to hear D+T. Probably contained the best jamming of the night between the two of them along with some great Tim parts.
The Maker - Nothing really specific to add, just a great song. Tim's short solo was very fitting as always
Still Water -> Don't Drink The Water - Still Water is another Daniel Lanois cover, like the Maker, for those who are unaware. Worked very cool as an intro to DDTW. DDTW is one of my favorite D+T songs, not for any solo by Tim, but just what goes on the entire song. Tim is always adding something to the song that just makes it perfect. One of my top 10 DMB songs and one of my top 5 D+T songs.
Dancing Nancies - Closes every show, but the jam at the end between D+T is a nice way to end the set.
Down by the River - Let me start by saying how much I love neil young. And on top of that, this is one of my top 3 Neil Young songs. I'd heard DMB do this song and was just not into it. Between the violin solo and Daves vocals it was well bad. D+T on the other hand were able to capture how haunting this song SHOULD be. Daves vocals still are no where near Neils on this song, but they are decent enough. The real treat comes when Tims solo pops up. He mimics the vocal part of the song so well as he does on a few other Neil songs ive heard him do. I'd like to see him add this one to his Ohio ->After the goldrush solo one day for a verse. Really was great to hear.
Two Step - The final 'classic' D+T tune of the night and a perfect ending. The end of this song sounded completely improved between D+T on the stage and was again a nice jam.
Overall the show was very good. The 96/97/99 era D+T stuff still owns any of these shows, but if you ever get a chance to go to one of these you must do it. It also makes me more and more hope that someday tim will sit in with DMB on a show but use the acoustic, which i think lets him add so much more to the entire tunes and not just his parts.
You can see that they are having a good time up there together though. My dream is to one day see D+T play All you need is love and when the 2nd verse starts have Tim walk up to the mic to sing it.
To add to fluffy a bit...Dave talks A LOT during D+T sets. The crowds can very easily kill the buzz of a show by ruining the stories or the slower parts of songs. Hopefully this wont ruin it for D+T though and they'll continue to play shows every now and again together, because it truly is a treat for both DM and Tim Reynolds fans. And as someone who's a fan of both, like myself, it's about as good as it gets.
I'm glad you enjoyed yourself Fluffy. I'm hoping you and Tim get back to Ohio... |
| Fluffy |
Posted - 04/25/2007 : 2:51:52 PM
quote:
Originally posted by tericee
quote:
Originally posted by Fluffy
I checked with the crew again for some perspective and was happy to be told that the audience was quieter than most T&D audiences but still not the level of the European audiences.
European audiences are better! I win!!
BTW, Fluffy, did you get to hear them play "Sister?"
uhhhhhh, even MY "SISTER" doesn't read what I write. LOL Reread last paragraph silly. |
| tericee |
Posted - 04/25/2007 : 09:39:46 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Fluffy
I checked with the crew again for some perspective and was happy to be told that the audience was quieter than most T&D audiences but still not the level of the European audiences.
European audiences are better! I win!!
BTW, Fluffy, did you get to hear them play "Sister?" |
| KevinLesko |
Posted - 04/25/2007 : 12:46:29 AM
Very cool to hear your perspective of a D+T show Fluffy, and glad to hear you were able to enjoy a whole show. Did you attend all 3 shows? |
| jkastrin |
Posted - 04/21/2007 : 11:50:13 AM
Hi. Just joined this TR site. I had the privilege of watching TR and Dave last night at the Wang Center. I was absolutely riveted and in awe! I have an old TR and Dave CD Live from Luthern College, but I never experienced TR in person. Honestly, he blew me away. TR is nothing short of musical genuis. And Dave was in rare form with his storytelling. So damn funny...blaming his diatribe on "the fever". Makes me want to get in my car and travel out to Amherst today. For those of you fortunate enough to have seen them last night...you were blessed. Peace, JKW |
| rdj218 |
Posted - 04/21/2007 : 11:37:04 AM
Thank you for taking the TiMe to write this awesome review Fluffy:) ...It's the next best thing to being there. Glad you've given Dave a chance to win you over too:)  |
| PJK |
Posted - 04/21/2007 : 07:03:58 AM
Thank you for making my morning start off on such a happy note!
Gotta love that setlist, LOL! I am kind of hoping for Che at RCMH. It is so f*n beautiful.
So glad you had a great TIMe, I never met Dave, but from what Mike has told me over the years, I expected no less than total admiration and respect for Tim. It doesn't surprise me at all that he watched TR perform with such intensity. Very cool.
Oh, and nice paragraphs, hehehe. |
|
|
