Merrick, NY - 2001. When I was in 10th grade, me, Lindsey and our friend Rachel (who we saw at the concert for the first time in 4+ years!) used to hang out in Rae's den and play Under the Table and Dreaming or Before These Crowded Streets and dance like a bunch of hippy nutjobs ... it was a great time to be 15. (These were also the years we had co-ed sleepovers but kept the doors locked so the "boys couldnt get in!") These girls, plus our friend Hillary, introduced me to Dave ... and I am forever grateful. I've spent many a night, when feeling melancholy or down in the dumps, and always felt better after hearing i will go in this way, and find my own way out ...
Now ... back to the story at hand :)
Flushing, Queens - 2010. We tailgated with Korn and his family; big props to Momma Korn for hanging with us in the parking lot. It was nice to catch up as we eagerly anticipated the show. We downed a beer or 2, and with no bathroom in sight, realized we were in quite the quandry. Lets just say, we made use of The Space Between ... (see Roe's facebook pictures for more details)
After collecting ourselves, we made our way into the stadium where we ran into Rae and her posse, including her mom Nancy(!). I then had a bit of an unfortunate situation with my flip flop, which broke while we were in line for $6.00 pretzels. I can officially say that I've walked through parts of Queens and Manhattan, with one bare foot. My frustration didn't last long however, b/c no sooner than I was cursing the moment I decided to wear those sandals, the lights went up and Big Eyed Fish began.
(Photos from May 2010 Connecticut show, Courant.com)
For me, being at a Dave concert is a profoundly exceptional musical experience. Conditions for the ultimate journey include a) an open air venue b) plenty of room to dance and move c) enough room to master your electric air violin while not hurting the Dave fan to your left. Without sounding amazingly cliche and corny, there is just something that happens when they perform. It goes beyond the fact that it is music being played and lyrics being sung; something transcends and the air becomes electric. The entire band; bassist Steffan Lessard, our hero violinist Boyd Tinsely and drummer Carter Beauford are master craftsmen at their art. (RIP LeRoi Moore) Tim Reynolds brings his electric guitar skills to match Dave's acoustic; teddy bear trumpeter Rashawn Ross and sax player Jeff Coffin round out a band that I am inspired by every time I see.
(Boyd Tinsley, from whom we emulate the air violin)
We heard every song we hoped for, except Alligator Pie, but no hard feelings. Classic songs from Rapunzel and Ants Marching to Jimi Thing and Don't Drink the Water plus new favorites, Lying in the Hands of God, Why I Am and Shake Me Like a Monkey had us singing and dancing the entire time. DMB truley is a jam band, playing #41 for 20+ minutes. Ah, that song is incredible. It's songs like that and The Stone, Warehouse, Dancing Nanices, The Dreaming Tree ... the list goes on, that exemplify the emotional prowess they bring to music. They included in the first set one of my favorites, Gray Street; an incredibly sad yet inspiring song; Dave's aching vocals are meant to be heard live.
Needless to say we were beyond satiated when the show was over, although sad that we'll have to wait until 2012 to see them live again. They do deserve it after 20 years touring, and I cannot wait to see what they come up with next.
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