The Best Proudest Monkey Ever?

[imnothingman]

well, this is NOT one of the best Proudest Monkey-versions.

At first I was thrilled to see that one of my favourite songs was being played live again this year during the European 2019 tour, BUT alas, what happened to the climax???

Carter is definitely taking a big nose dive in comparison to previous years of grand ol' glory, and by that I mean in general, not just this sleeper of a version;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDbghQ2KikI

[imnothingman]

THIS on the other hand, may be one of the best versions in my book. Just had to listen to a real version straight after that sad version above.

A real shame Carter has stepped down so many 'energy levels' in his playing the last years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P267hyvtWck

[crashintonickdm]

Nothing live touches studio

12/11/98 for live

[SteveInJoburg]

Originally Posted by OneLove41

Can’t believe more people haven’t said the one from South Africa with Hugh. Easily the best for me

At the risk of being obvious and biased, I have to agree with this. I feel very privileged to have been up close to witness this. RIP Bra Hugh.


https://youtu.be/jmmODnes2XU

[garagebrothers]

First time I had sex with my gf my monkey was pretty proud

[Cptn. Monkeyman]

Originally Posted by imnothingman

well, this is NOT one of the best Proudest Monkey-versions.

At first I was thrilled to see that one of my favourite songs was being played live again this year during the European 2019 tour, BUT alas, what happened to the climax???

Carter is definitely taking a big nose dive in comparison to previous years of grand ol' glory, and by that I mean in general, not just this sleeper of a version;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDbghQ2KikI

He’s getting older guys. It’s no wonder songs like this, Bartender, Two Step, etc have pretty much disappeared

[capoetc]

Here's the Proudest Monkey you've ever seen ... Ham, the first chimpanzee in space!

https://i0.wp.com/factrepublic.com/w...09/12.Ham_.jpg

[jssmith6]

Studio >>>>> Dave and tim >>>>>> LT 25 after an almost 4 year hiatus.

[vailkid]

Originally Posted by Yankeesman1205

Personally I think anything with Tim on it shouldn't really be in the running, I think he just doesn't fit with the spirit of the song, but seems I'm in the minority.

Also just listened to 8/19/08 and see nothing that distinguishes it as better than any other version from 08 onward. And yes I'd consider myself a "true fan" lol.

I couldn't agree more. But, I would agree that we may be in the minority...but that's ok.

I also realize that I am biased towards Roi. He made the song for me.

[Bmwm3oz]

Studio version. Gorge '02.

[DMBlunts]

Originally Posted by dmbfan1011

My favorite hands down:

08/09/08 (Live Trax 15, Alpine Valley)

Tim's solo has so much feel to it and Carter connects perfect with it!

The first post in this thread should have been the last. I listened to this the other night and was just as blown away then as I was when I first heard it.

[ToySoldier#34]

Originally Posted by Bmwm3oz

Studio version. Gorge '02.

Yep this, my two favorites

[crashintonickdm]

Most overrated: 8/9/08

Whats so great about it? That song should be sax not annoying Tim shredding

[tannersarver]

live trax 4. love that sax jam

[coolhotwaves]

Originally Posted by crashintonickdm

Most overrated: 8/9/08

Whats so great about it? That song should be sax not annoying Tim shredding

Yes, absolutely! Feel the same way about LIOG going from a Roi solo to Boyd taking over

[tyler3440]

Originally Posted by coolhotwaves

Yes, absolutely! Feel the same way about LIOG going from a Roi solo to Boyd taking over

Not sure about this. The Roi solo on graves was great but Boyd’s solo belonged as well IMO. Especially, early on when he first started soloing on it. Later on in his career some of the solos were pretty rough. With proudest monkey, the Tim and RR solo don’t belong at all. DMB would be so much Better if they simply let Jeff get the most solos. 41, seek up, grey street, crush, PM, SW, and warehouse should be Jeff only. The dude can play when he gets the chance. See lover lay down, YNK, and the stone. People saying that Jeff sucks are dead wrong. It’s the way he’s used in the band that sucks.

[ToySoldier#34]

Jeff's ability to play quietly is better than most people give him credit for

[mposey34]

Warehouse 8v1, 06.07.96

[mposey34]

Backreading and see where I answered the same 5 years ago.

[DMBlunts]

Originally Posted by crashintonickdm

Most overrated: 8/9/08

Whats so great about it? That song should be sax not annoying Tim shredding

Except that solo is probably the single best thing Tim has done since he has been with them over the last 11 years... it's impeccable.

Also Tim played a prominent role in the studio version of this song so I'm not sure "anything with Tim" should be disqualified.

[DMBlunts]

Originally Posted by tyler3440

Not sure about this. The Roi solo on graves was great but Boyd’s solo belonged as well IMO. Especially, early on when he first started soloing on it. Later on in his career some of the solos were pretty rough. With proudest monkey, the Tim and RR solo don’t belong at all. DMB would be so much Better if they simply let Jeff get the most solos. 41, seek up, grey street, crush, PM, SW, and warehouse should be Jeff only. The dude can play when he gets the chance. See lover lay down, YNK, and the stone. People saying that Jeff sucks are dead wrong. It’s the way he’s used in the band that sucks.

To be "Ultimate Creative Mastermind" or whatever RR is for the band now...they lost a ton of creativity when he came on board...especially after Roi died.

100% agree on Jeff, the guy is one of the best saxophonists in the world and when given space he dominates.

[rick8285]

Originally Posted by cgo34364041

the song belongs to Roi, Tim's solos never come close to Roi's work, Roi's last mansfield monkey is amazing.. however 12.31.95 is ridiculous.. and the PM from the night before is pretty much on par with the NYE one....

Good call on NYE '95. Just listening to it again. Fucking great version!

[TwoStep2888]

RR95 for me

[TwoStep2888]

Originally Posted by ToySoldier#34

Jeff's ability to play quietly is better than most people give him credit for

[tyler3440]

Originally Posted by DMBlunts

To be "Ultimate Creative Mastermind" or whatever RR is for the band now...they lost a ton of creativity when he came on board...especially after Roi died.

100% agree on Jeff, the guy is one of the best saxophonists in the world and when given space he dominates.

Tim PM RR95> Tim 2008-now

The guy is a solid guitarist but his tone now just doesn't mix as well with this band now. Although its worlds better then 2010-16

[DMBlunts]

I stand corrected, I have literally spent the last 1.5 hours listening to most of the versions we have mentioned here. You could really breakup this song's playing history into different segments (ie. 1990s, slowed down tempo, post-Roi) and in reality that's the best of going about labeling "the best of" because it's changed so much over the years from excellent improv lyrics and mind-melting Roi solos to a slower tempo with no sax solo but often times Tim's best solo work. For this I will just list top 3 for with/post Roi.

With Roi:
1. 12.31.95 - #1 overall. Arguably Roi's best ever solo work, if you haven't heard it, do so now. There is a great link on Youtube.
2. Gorge 2002 - All of the nuances from the band, Fonz doodling, Boyd picking away, Butch laying down a nice cushion for Roi to blast off into space and of course Carter pounding away. Very close to the best ever performance.
3. 6.97.96 - WH Vol 8. 1 - Incredible Roi solo, breathtaking really and Carter is excellent as well. You can't go wrong here with anything from 95/96. RR 95/ LT 4 Richmond 96 are both right there along with the others.

Post Roi:
1. Alpine 2009 -- Excellent Jeff solo a la Roi. A very fitting tribute and reminds you what this song was once upon a time.
2. LT 15 Alpine 2008 -- Possibly Tim's best solo with DMB. Not as meaningful as 8.19.08 but better overall.
3. 12.3.13 -- Hugh Masekela does a great job with the first solo, leading to a climatic Tim and Carter. Link on Youtube.

All of this is strictly my opinion, but I will admit LT 15 is not the best version, probably not Top 10. But post-Roi it is very close to the best and likely would be if not for this special Jeff solo in 2009.

[ToySoldier#34]

Just listened to 12/31/95 for the first time, much prefer Gorge '02

[Bmwm3oz]

Originally Posted by ToySoldier#34

Just listened to 12/31/95 for the first time, much prefer Gorge '02

. .

[DMBlunts]

If anything from this near insane endless playlist of Proudest Monkey... I've gained a completely new respect for the song and for Roi (not that I needed one). It's prob a Top 10 song for me now if not higher.

[Dannyyankou]

I love the LT 25 version with the improv lyrics.