Dave Matthews Band's 2009 Spring Tour: Some New Songs, Some Old Songs, and Something in Between
Before the first listen on May 26th, when Pandora will be allowing people to stream the upcoming Dave Matthews Band album, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King, many fans will be eager to hear two things: 1) how will songs debuted this spring sound in the studio and 2) will the songs not heard exceed the already through the roof expectations?
DMB has begun marketing for BWGK, and it's been nothing short of frusterating - in a good way. Through tiny bits and pieces, fans have learned more about the upcoming record, as well as getting to hear several of the songs this spring.
However, on December 15th, DMB announced that it would be touring this spring in support of BWGK, slated to be released April 14th. Things changed though. Dave tweeted that the album would be delayed, but not because of the music. DMB wanted to get things right. When a few songs were debuted at MSG, everything slowly started to take shape.
2009 Spring Tour
The 2009 spring tour featured an array of unique musical experiences that have been absent in the DMB world for four years. It was the first tour to feature new songs that would definitely be slated on an upcoming release. Three fan-favorites made long over-due returns, too. 'Raven', 'Pig,', and 'Recently' with the extended jam were all played at least a few times. While these songs were absent in past tours, the passion and intensity behind them wasn't. DMB brought them back without missing a beat - no pun intended.
Perhaps the biggest surpise of all, was the epic step-by-step progression marking the return of 'Blue Water'.
In what is increasingly becoming a more intimate way to communicate with fans, Dave twittered the words "blue water", sparking much debate over what exactly he was talking. Our obssesion as fan base took over, and the anticipation for 'Blue Water' mounted. On April 20th , in Pelham, AL, BW made it's return through a tease by Dave - the first time 2,118 days!
Over the next several shows, the song grew, eventually featuring a solo by Boyd, and two verses of lyrics by Dave.
Download: Blue Water
Songs From Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King
Stepping back to the start of the tour at Madison Square Garden on April 14th, was the release of, 'Funny The Way It Is', the band's first single in four years. Debuting on radio, the started breaking records along the way. Next came the first plays of 'Spaceman', a slow-grooving, jazzy love song, and 'Why I Am', DMB's fast-paced, hard-hitting tribute to the late, LeRoi Moore.
Download BWGK tracks in WDS mp3 Forum
However, one song to debut this spring, not being released on BWGK, was 'Beach Ball' slated for a b-side release. Immediately, fans gravitated towards this song because of the throught-provoking lyrics, and beautiful melodies. This song, along with the three others slated for the b-side, will be available in the many pre-order options for BWGK.
Later in the tour, DMB broke out 'Seven' in New Mexico, featuring a funky bass riff, driven by the presence of Tim Reynolds' electric guitar. This song is extremely original in nature because of the chorus being sung entirely in falsetto, accenting the very promiscuious lyrics. Reactions have been severely mixed, but optimism is high for the studio release.
Jeff Coffin
Fans were also forced to start the tour, for the first time, without the original five members - a bittersweet task, indeed. With Jeff Coffin signed on as an official member, fans were hopeful that he would have had ample time to cement his sound on songs from 2008, as well as begin exploring the older parts of DMB's extensive catalog.
Picking up where he left off in 2008, Coffin continued his eccentric playing on the stage, and raised the bar even higher, implementing his own touch on many songs.
'Crush', 'Jimi Thing', 'Dreaming Tree', 'Bartender', and '#41' all had many of his signature styles featured. Whether he was playing two saxophones on 'Jimi Thing', or challening the alien that is Tim Reynolds to a battle on 'Crush', one thing is for sure, Jeff Coffin is having an absolute blast on stage with DMB.
Fans returned from shows with their faces melted, excited about what he brought to the table. One of the things that Coffin brought to the stage was the use of two saxophones during 'Jimi Thing'. Many of their hopes for new songs with Jeff were realized with the afforementioned returns of 'Raven', 'Pig', and 'Recently'.
Looking Ahead to the Summer of 2009
On June 2nd, six days into the summer campaign, BWGK will be officially released. With a plethora of media appearances ranging from the Today Show, to FuseTV's progressive documentary, fans will receive a unique perspective on BWGK.
With a total of 13 new songs being introduced, fans are hopeful that sets will incorporate an unusual mix of old songs and new songs.
WDS will soon be coming out with a comprehensive preview of the 2009 summer tour. Be on the lookout for that, as well as news that will be pouring out from every direction as hype for BWGK builds.
Just sit tight, though. In just over three weeks, we will officially have Dave Matthews Band's 7th studio effort, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King, which promises to combine the old DMB with a newer sound, ultimately paying respects to the great, LeRoi Moore.
