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Live at Red Rocks

Artist: Dave Matthews Band
Genre: Alternative
Year: 1997
Rating: 9.5 / 10

The Dave Matthews Band truly outdoes itself on its most recent release, "Live at Red Rocks," a live compilation of some of its greatest music, recorded in August of 1995. The album features songs familiar to fans of "Under the Table & Dreaming..." and "Crash," plus a few old favorites for loyal fans who have followed the band beyond their mainstream success.

"Seek Up," the first track of the two-disc album, not included on either of the mainstream albums, is an excellent thirteen-minute introduction into this set, which features fresh takes on songs with which we are all now familiar. Sampling primarily from "Under the Table & Dreaming...," Dave Matthews jams such pop hits as "Satellite" and "The Best of What's Around," while also rewarding the fan who looks beyond the radio dial. Cult favorites "Warehouse" and "Lie in Our Graves" power an incredible first disc, trailing a remarkably powerful "Recently."

The second disc, while lacking the consistency of the first, nonetheless comes on strong with "Tripping Billies" and "Lover Lay Down." And for those who wondered if the band would resort to a traditional closing series, there is no need to worry. After a boisterous rendition of "Ants Marching," one of the songs which brought The Dave Matthews Band national exposure, the band takes a step back for the mellower "Typical Situation." The transition between these two seems effortless, as does the subsequent move to the band's cover of the classic "All Along the Watchtower." The album is truly one to treasure, and one to hold the legions of loyal fans over until late April, when Dave Matthews will again dot record store shelves with a new album.

See Also: Dave Matthews Band Tribute

Submitted 6/10/98.