I can't believe it's been a year already since my last DMB post but here I am again writing about my most favorite day of the year... I believe this to be my 15th show, though admittedly I have only been able to log 13 because a couple of the shows were so long ago I can't remember the dates and the ticket stubs have been long missing.
Attending this year's show held greater importance for me as founding member and saxiphonest, LeRoi Moore passed away unexpected on Tuesday from complications stemming from an ATV accident. I didn't see it coming as I had heard he was on the mend and found out early Wednesday when I logged into my email at work finding several emails from friends who figured I hadn't heard the news. Personally, I didn't think the show would go on but am sure I'm not alone when I say it was a communal healing experience for the band and all the old time fans.
Speaking of old timers, I have to admit this years crowed was better then it has been in years. Maybe because I had just been complaining to Denise at work about how the crowed just doesn't "get it" like they used to. Well they got it this year as everyone around me was feeling the vibe, singing and dancing in unison.
This years show, though incomplete without Roi, ranks in my top 3 of all time for its mix of somber notes, heart stopping classics, out-of-control covers and sheer goofy Dave moments. The seats we had were phenomenal too, probably the best in the last 5 or 6 years. (Shout out to Lauren for the ticket hook-up!)
This year I brought my friend Vero with me as she has never seen DMB before and actually told me this was her first American concert. She said she had a really good time as was impressed with the band's instrumentals. (Basically my reason for bringing newbies every year is to show off their talents in a live setting... the way it's meant to be enjoyed.) I always find it interesting to know which songs people like when they have never heard the band before. I've listened to each song a thosand times so I hear them differently then someone listening for the first time. Vero was especially fond of Dreaming Tree and Don't Drink the Water... Vero happens to have very good taste.
My favorite part of the show was... well there were two. No 1. When Dave broke into Burning Down the House. Words can not explain how cool and totally unexpected that was. Bob Lefsetz described the band performing Burning Down the House better than I can...
And just like a modern jet, everything was working. It has to in order to move. And boy was the band moving. Musically. There were no dance steps, everybody was almost rigid in his place. But Carter's arms were churning, Dave was spitting into the mic like he was seventeen, and he needed to show the bullies, who he was, where he was coming from.(That link is to a candid article about Roi's last day. Very touching if you're a fan reading this.) I can't find a video from last night so I'm grabbing one from the performance at Alpine Valley.
The No. 2 favorite moment was Dave's silly dance onstage to Danny Barnes playing the banjo during Corn Bread. I'll post a YouTube video but I can't guarantee how long it will be up on this site before it's removed from YT.
Here's the set list from last night
Friday Aug 22 2008
Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
Bartender *
Old Dirt Hill *
Eh Hee *
Water Into Wine *
Sledgehammer *
So Damn Lucky *
Stolen Away On 55th & 3rd
Crush *
Sugar Will *
Everyday *
Ants Marching *
Dreaming Tree *
Burning Down The House *
Lover Lay Down *
Corn Bread *+
Two Step *
__________________
Louisiana Bayou *
Don’t Drink the Water *
Show Notes:
Send good thoughts for LeRoi
* Jeff Coffin
+ Danny Barnes
Here's a short tribute video to LeRoi.
Here's love to LeRoi!
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