I had the chance to see Brett Dennen open for the Dave Matthews Band twice last week and it reminded me of what an amazing and underrated musician he is. I’ve been a fan of his for years and to this day his song “Blessed” is one of my favorites. Take a listen and be in a happy mood with a smile on your face.
Thanks to my buddy we had pit tickets for Chula Vista and the experience is definitely up there in my top concerts ever after being only feet away from the band (see the photos above). The set list for the show was a perfect balance of songs spanning the career of DMB. “Big Eyed Fish” as the opener was a nice, unexpected choice and rolled right into “Bartender” which really got the crowd into a groove. From the get go the boys were ready to rock with smiles beaming throughout the entire show and I must say that Carter’s was as wide as the Grand Canyon. They were definitely having genuine fun on stage and ripping through the tracks as if they had something to prove. “#41” as always was just magical and “Cornbread” brought out the funk but the highlight of the show was definitely “Two Step;” they jammed and Carter’s drum solo can be described in one word, WOW. I highly suggest DMB fans visit antsmarching.org to grab the show.
In Irvine the crowd was definitely more festive and upbeat. Getting it started with “Minarets” was a nice surprise and I was really stoked to hear “Write A Song” for the second night it a row as it has quickly become one of my new favorite DMB songs. On the Big Whiskey bonus CD, I know it’s a long show but I hope this is the next single released because it’s a great little ballad with some sweet violin and guitar chords from Boyd and Dave. This show also featured a relatively new song titled “Black Jack” which could easily become a staple on the rest of the 2010 tour. If the fellas decide to put together a new album during the 2011 hiatus I’d expect to see this song on it. Knowing that this would be my last DMB show for a while it was fitting that I had the chance to hear “Ants Marching” live one more time followed by an encore of “rye Whiskey” and “Jimi Thing,” a great ending.
Seeing the guys really jam and having more fun than I have seen before at any concerts it’s going to be sad that they are taking a year off but one can only hope they come back with the same energy and cohesiveness that is being displayed on the 2010 summer tour.
Great show, energy through the roof.
Minarets
Shake Me Like A Monkey
Proudest Monkey
Satellite
Funny The Way It Is
Lying In The Hands Of God
Write A Song
You Might Die Trying
Don’t Drink The Water
Sister
Dancing Nancies
Alligator Pie
Can’t Stop
Grey Street
Black Jack
You & Me
Ants Marching
Encore:
Rye Whiskey
Jimi Thing
Big Eyed Fish
Bartender
Stay or Leave
Write a Song
Seven
Crush
Alligator pie
Shake Me Like A Monkey
#41
What Would You Say
Spaceman
Cornbread
Sister
Gravedigger
Why I Am
You & Me
Two Step
Encore:
Some Devil
Time Bomb
Watchtower
And 1/2 of Carter’s drum stick
A friend recently asked me what albums can I listen to all the way through and never get sick of. A tough question on the spot but nonetheless I was able to figure out a handful.
Bob Marley: Legend
Do I really need to explain this one? From beginning to end this CD is such an incredible compilation of music from an artist whose songs and lyrics are appreciated worldwide.
O.A.R.: The Wanderer
Those who know me are well aware that O.A.R. is my favorite band and those who know O.A.R. were probably introduced to them by the song “That Was A Crazy Game of Poker” like I was. While I can listen to their music day in and day out, this CD is definitely a chart topper for me, as it seemed everything just clicked when I listened to the album. From “Poker” and “Conquering Fools,” two favs and ending with “About Mr. Brown” and “Ladanday” this CD brings me back to my days at ASU when I first heard of the band and that first show at Nita’s Hideaway.
Donavon Frankenreiter: Self-Titled
He just rereleased this as Hawaiian-style but to me this was one heck of a debut album that had sweet tunes and beautiful lyrics on every track. Add guest appearances by Jack Johnson and G. Love and what you get is a remarkable album from a surfer turned rocker.
Bruce Springsteen: Essential Hits Vol.1
Hit after hit but to me, the best version of “Blinded By The Light,” “Rosalita” is a song that should be on everyone’s playlist and “Born to Run” is just legendary. You can’t go wrong with the Boss and this three disc set is fantastic but disc 1 takes the cake.
Dave Matthews Band: Under The Table and Dreaming
I remember when my brother gave me this CD and I think for an entire summer I didn’t listen to anything else. To think that this album spurred on my love of DMB and to know I could pop in the CD or play on the iPod and it would be like day one all over again.
Jurassic 5: EP
This EP is to me arguably one of the greatest hip-hop CDs of all-time. The lyrics are fresh and it was a breakout in the alternative hip-hop scene and aligning J5 with the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, Kool Keith and Black Star.
Lupe Fiasco: The Cool
I’ve been a Lupe fan since I first heard “Kick Push” and after seeing him live I was amazed. When The Cool came out, I just really dug the sound and the lyrics he spits.
Caesars: Paper Tigers
You know that song from one of the first iPod commercials, “Jerk it out?” Well what if I told you that was the worst song on the entire album. This disc has a good tempo all the way through a definitely a great CD for a workout or road trip.
Kings of Leon: Youth and Young Manhood
The first disc from the fellas is raw and I love it. It’s just good clean rock and roll, also a must have for any KoL fan. They’ve definitely stepped up their game in the years but this disc is special.
Courtesy of NPR Music, click HERE to check out “Rise” from Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke’s solo effort The Boxer which was released earlier this summer.
Check out his www.iamkele.com for more information on the new album.
B.o.B. better be winning some awards* in the future because his LP The Adventures of Bobby Ray is turning into a debut album like Maroon 5’s Songs About Jane which had hit after hit after hit. “Magic” featuring Rivers Cuomo of Weezer is the latest from B.o.B. to strike gold in part thanks to a new Adidas commercial. Following “Nothing On You” featuring Bruno Mars and “Airplanes” featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore he is on quite a streak. If “Past My Shades” featuring Lupe Fiasco makes it next, I’ll be a happy camper but the whole album is one to have in your catalog.
* he has won a Teen Choice Award and is nominated for five MTV VMAs
With a successful first day at Mile High Music Festival I was definitely looking forward to Day 2 and the great line-up.
Overall Day 2 was a rousing success. I would have loved to have taken in the performances by Weezer, Z-Trip, Boombox and Atmosphere but just like Day 1, too much music and too many decisions to make.
Also pretty saddened of the Denver Post’s coverage of the festival since it was in their backyard and only sending one reporter to cover and not even given a fair shake to many of the 40 plus acts over the two days. I mean on Day 1 the reporter didn’t even arrive until after 4 p.m. surely missing some great performances. You can read the recaps here and here.
I saw this while in Denver for Mile High Music Festival and 100% believe it. Do you?
Do You Hear The Music? 