I purchased Live at Luther College in March of 1999. I was killing time at Fred Meyers and wanted a cd for my drive home. I had just purchased the new Kenwood Excelon system for my old Toyota Celica. (Blue neon dolphins would swim across the face when a cd played). I had heard The Dave Matthews Band perform Ants Marching on a New Years Eve show. I thought they were cool: a violin (which I played) a guitar, bass, clear lyrics with deeper meaning plus a chill frontman. I liked how they jammed the song out and how their energy seemed completely organic. I had grown tired of listening to Legend and 40 ounces of Freedom with rest of the class of ’99.
I’ve been teased on occasion for my love of Dave and specifically, guitar playing guys. If your “first time” was listening to Dave open that album with One Sweet World, followed by #41, you too would be hooked.
The last song on the first disc is Dancing Nancies, which resonated with me greatly at that time of my life. I was graduating from a small town and going to a slightly larger town, and living in Oregon. I had spent my Junior and Senior years passing on debauchery and parties in the woods so that I could get straight A’s and fine tune the 30 different scholarship applications that I submitted. It was about this time that I was harvesting the fruits of my labor. There was a newfound confidence, a presence of stillness, and an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for being no one other than myself.
I began carrying the two-disc album with me wherever I went. In the car, back at the house, at the restaurant for closing or over at Dustin’s house – It became the soundtrack of my life. Dustin bought us concert tickets to see DMB.
I looked forward to the show for a good four months. I passed the time listening to their other albums (Under the Table, Crash and Red Rocks). The date of the show was July 15th, 1999. We drove to Portland Meadows, experienced the sun set, the haze over the crowd, and perched on the shoulders of Dustin Vandehey – I became addicted to Dave. Dave opened with Tripping Billies ("eat drink and beee merry….") followed by One Sweet World, followed by #41. I couldn’t sleep the night before, or the night after.
When asked what album I would take with me if stranded on an island, it’s an easy response “Lu Coll”. Don't make me choose between the blue and yellow discs...
This Friday I will experience my 26th live show in Seattle. Cari will join me, and Tim Reynolds will join Dave. The Dalai Lama will also join on stage to talk about the Seeds of Compassion Conference. We’ll be in section 111, row 16… I am more excited about this than I ever was about those damn dolphins.
Tickets to Dave with Tim in Seattle?!
I WANT THAT!! WHY NOT ME!?!
Posted by: RH | April 10, 2008 at 06:43 PM