Charlotte

[Rogue]

Traffic = nightmare.
Premier parking - maybe worth it, maybe not tonight.
Sat in sec 6, on the aisle, very good seats and I was surrounded by good concert folk all around.
Beer was $6 - $9. Crazy times.

The music.

First let me just say - believe the hype, the energy this year is hot.
Tim and Jeff were on fire, especially Jeff.
What's great about them, in addition to their talent, is their ability to play their parts, take off on jams and solos, and avoid overplaying a'la Butch.

The Stone - good opener, warmed up nicely. Strictly business. Hints of how well Jeff would fit in.

Old Dirt Hill - Better live than I remembered it. Again, Jeff and Tim are adding much to the show by now.

YMDT - The whole band just kicked into high gear. And the crowd went right with them. They'd never look back until a moderately slow Proudest Monkey

Everyday - OK, honestly I went to the bathroom here. Decent tune I just couldn't hold it any more. $9 beer was going right through me.

Eh Hee - Good rendition, pretty standard by now.

DDTW- Bam! Pow! This song rocked my ears off!

Grey Street -Love it love it love it. Always good live. Nothing fancy tonight, just very smooth vocals.

Cornbread - Good up tempo dancy and much improved since last year, IMO.
And I liked it then too.

Two Step - One of the highlights of a very good night. Long jams, a little unique from previous versions which I think is saying something since this has been one of the better improv songs in recent years.

Proudest Monkey - Slow version, pretty, and I enjoyed it a lot. The crowd didn't seem to appreciate it as much as I did. Fuckem.

Satellite - Started seeming that they hadn't played it in a looong time and not together. Got better and better. Dave flat out saved this song tonight.

Jimi Thing - Absolute highlight of the show. What can I tell you? Everyone went way above and beyond.

Sledgehammer - Funky, flowy, and it seems like Dave enjoys it more than the rest of the band. Carter helps with some of the high notes and did it well. I don't know, the crowd obviously enjoyed it and I like the change of pace. Just doesn't seem like they're into it.

Bitch - Very smooth. Tim, Dave, and Fonz tore this up and gave respect to the Stones.

Ants - Great new intro, hard to improve on such a great staple song but they've managed it. Trust me, you'll love it.

Money - Is there anything these guys can't do?

SMTS - ASTB - Too Much - Standard. Good. Did the freeze-frame deal at the end of SMTS.

This show sounded great, a little light on improv/jams but Jeff made it clear early on that they won't miss many beats while he's filling in for Mr. Moore.

Can't wait to see Rothbury, L'Ville, and Cincy.

[Rogue]

Something tonight for everyone from the casual fan to the die hards.

[dmb_lover4136]

glad you had fun man, nice review oh new ants intro

[notnews32]

Do you think someone wrote Jeff sheet music for all their songs? Could anyone see if Jeff was reading the music?

[trippinchad]

Sounds like a good good time

[RobbtheRevelatr]

Just got home... and unlike most shows, I must comment on some of the goings on, especially because of the unusual situation. Dave commented about it 3 times. Once after The Stone, again before Jimi, and right as the band came out for the encore.

As Dave came out for the encore, he asked the audience to help them film a get well video for Roi by having the crowd chant 'We want Roi'... The camera man came out and filmed from Dave's spot on the stage and zoomed in on some signs that fans had, and it was great.

Overall, the show was not somber at all. Those three times Dave spoke about it was very respectful, but not too sad. At those times they band looked very serious, but nodded and clapped along with teh crowd. Aside from that, the band played with a lot of energy, and seemed to do just what Dave said, try to forget about the difficult day they had. Once again, it's great they chose to handle this to the way they did... and to sound a little corny, it was pretty special to be a fan at this show.

Now... Jeff Coffin...there is no better man for the job. In some ways I HATE to say this.... but he played with a fire I haven't seen in Leroi in a while. When Rashawn wasn't coaching him on the structured jams (i.e.- Also Sprach Zarathrusta), he soared lke an eagle.... His solo on The Stone was nothing short of spectacular. You Might Die Trying sticks out as well. Makes you wish he had cut loose more. He seemed to scale back a bit as the night went on, trying to get in on Rashawn's groove. I don't want to take away too much from Rashawn, as he's trying to fill a void, but it's a bit like asking the star running back to run blocking drills instead of carrying the ball. Sorry, but just my thoughts.

[RobbtheRevelatr]

Do you think someone wrote Jeff sheet music for all their songs? Could anyone see if Jeff was reading the music?

I was right in front of Jeff and Rashawn. He had some sheet music, but I didn't notice him paying a lot of attention to it.. mostly just between songs. Most of what I saw was Rashawn and he talking about different stuff as songs were going on.

[mattwest1]

yeah jeff had some sheet music but he wasn't really looking at it much. leff did an amazing job. And i haven't seen it mentioned but dave mentioned several times over the course of the show that he had talked to leroi and has been laughing with him and roi will be just fine! that was amazing to hear! as was the stone!

[phatpig]

He seemed to scale back a bit as the night went on, trying to get in on Rashawn's groove. I don't want to take away too much from Rashawn, as he's trying to fill a void, but it's a bit like asking the star running back to run blocking drills instead of carrying the ball. Sorry, but just my thoughts.

Yes it was kinda like seeing Ashlee Simpson give singing lessons to Dave Matthews. Jeff's highlights were in the first part of the show, I guess Rashawn told him "we don't play that awesome stuff", just play a lame line or two. To even think Rashawn thought he needed to TEACH Jeff Coffin lol

[phatpig]

I'm curious how many songs Jeff has in that little notebook thing he was reading. He was flipping through rather furiously before YMDT started

[rebels07]

About Rashawn teaching Jeff:
I have been in situations that jeff was in many times before. He mostly knew all the licks. Sometimes Rashawn would play him the licks in the middle of the songs so he would know them. Rashawn mainly was making sure he didn't step into any holes and stuff like that. There were also times when he must've said: "ok, now you blow over this for a while" and he did. I definitely think Rashawn was in his place to tell Jeff what to do, just by looking out for him.

[yamarider426]

About Rashawn teaching Jeff:
I have been in situations that jeff was in many times before. He mostly knew all the licks. Sometimes Rashawn would play him the licks in the middle of the songs so he would know them. Rashawn mainly was making sure he didn't step into any holes and stuff like that. There were also times when he must've said: "ok, now you blow over this for a while" and he did. I definitely think Rashawn was in his place to tell Jeff what to do, just by looking out for him.
:thumbsup Well said, I think you are exactly right!:thumbsup

[phatpig]

Didn't have any problems with parking last night, I think it depends entirely on your spot. I was near one of the exits and out in less than 10 minutes. I could tell from the way it was set up that premiere is a waste of money in Charlotte though. I've never bothered with it.

[bricotrout]

I was lucky enough to have been in the Fox Theatre in Boulder back in '93 when DMB recorded the What Would You Say video. I've seen them nearly every tour since.
Despite all that is going on with Leroi and how it certainly effects a band's stage presence and mindset, I have to say that I have NEVER seen DMB play and sound better.
I've always thought they put on a tremendous show but last night (first time ever catching Tim with the band and/or on electric) I walked away convinced I had never seen a better show by DMB or by anyone.
The band has truly transformed itself (through tireless years of touring and dedication) into one of the most well rounded concert bands ever.
For DMB to have not missed a beat (or show) after Leroi's accident and to pull off a show of last night's calibur is an absolute testement to each one's professionalism and sincerity as well as thir love for their music and audience.
Great job guys!
And for the record, if you ever get the chance to see Rashawn perform with Soulive, do not miss it! He is his generations Miles Davis.

[twostep665]

I was lucky enough to have been in the Fox Theatre in Boulder back in '93 when DMB recorded the What Would You Say video. I've seen them nearly every tour since.
Despite all that is going on with Leroi and how it certainly effects a band's stage presence and mindset, I have to say that I have NEVER seen DMB play and sound better.
I've always thought they put on a tremendous show but last night (first time ever catching Tim with the band and/or on electric) I walked away convinced I had never seen a better show by DMB or by anyone.
The band has truly transformed itself (through tireless years of touring and dedication) into one of the most well rounded concert bands ever.
For DMB to have not missed a beat (or show) after Leroi's accident and to pull off a show of last night's calibur is an absolute testement to each one's professionalism and sincerity as well as thir love for their music and audience.
Great job guys!
And for the record, if you ever get the chance to see Rashawn perform with Soulive, do not miss it! He is his generations Miles Davis.

"If peeing your pants is cool, consider me Miles Davis!"

[signalhill]

Do you think someone wrote Jeff sheet music for all their songs? Could anyone see if Jeff was reading the music?

We were third row center and Rashawn did a great job telling Jeff where to hit the posts--He definitely DID have some music/notes on a stand, and I am pretty sure that extra long Carter intro on Ants was due (in some part) to some shuffling 'round of papers over in the horn section!!!

[bdfresh62]

This was probably one of my favorite shows I've been to out of 11. Minus ODH and Everyday, I really enjoyed every song. Jeff did great. Sledgehammer was awesome and Money was...well money!

[JimmyP41]

Yes it was kinda like seeing Ashlee Simpson give singing lessons to Dave Matthews. Jeff's highlights were in the first part of the show, I guess Rashawn told him "we don't play that awesome stuff", just play a lame line or two. To even think Rashawn thought he needed to TEACH Jeff Coffin lol

:lol :haha

[dmbftp]

We were third row center and Rashawn did a great job telling Jeff where to hit the posts--He definitely DID have some music/notes on a stand, and I am pretty sure that extra long Carter intro on Ants was due (in some part) to some shuffling 'round of papers over in the horn section!!!

After 2 nights of seeing rashawn tell jeff how things go, it was a bit of a turn during 41 to have jeff tell rashawn what to play during sojourn of arabia at raleigh :)

Yeah, I know this is a charlotte thread

[dragonflies76]

After 2 nights of seeing rashawn tell jeff how things go, it was a bit of a turn during 41 to have jeff tell rashawn what to play during sojourn of arabia at raleigh :)

Yeah, I know this is a charlotte thread

not trying to be a dick; just correcting you for posterity's sake.

the correct title is Sojurn of Arjuna and can be found on the Flecktones' "Left of Cool." Fantastic song and when it is jammed in 41, makes that song all the more awesome. Personally, I first heard them do it in Hartford '97, and that version still remains my favorite #41.

Of course, I haven't heard Raleigh yet ;)

[dmbftp]

^ No worries. I had just gotten out of bed after the show and my head wasn't fully clear :) It happens sometimes! :P Thanks for correcting that though cause I didn't even recall typing it incorrectly and wouldn't want someone hitting up wrong. It's a great song and I love it when the flecktones play it live!

[Rogue]

I may put up a Rothbury review later if the laptop gets charged. For now, let me just say it was great. Jimi Thing was amazing again last night. The band just sounds crisp, well-tuned, and clean. Dave mentioned LeRoi and said, almost sternly, that we needed to send him love and that the bend missed him. I don't know if there was some weird sign about it up front, but he seemed to be reacting to something.

[ShotgunDMB]

I really wish they would speed P Monkey up. It's so slooooww now.

[theyesthman]

they didn't do the new ants intro this show
standard snare intro