Stay (Wasting Time) - Dave Matthews, Lessard, Stefan
#40 - Dave Matthews,
Long Black Veil - Dave Matthews, Dill, Danny
Don't Drink the Water
Intro to... - Dave Matthews,
All Along the Watchtower - Dave Matthews, Dylan, Bob
If you're of the opinion that the Grateful Dead comparisons that dog the Dave Matthews Band ring false, consider that with the release of Listener Supported, Matthews has put out more live albums (four, if you count Live a... more »t Luther College, a duet album with Tim Reynolds) than studio efforts (three, if you don't count the Recently EP). That's a lot of live albums, but Matthews fans probably wouldn't have it any other way. Now it's more possible than ever to haggle over which version of, say, "Warehouse"--which appears on Live at Red Rocks, Luther College, and the new album, as well as on Recently and Under the Table and Dreaming--is definitive. But "Warehouse" aside, the Matthews Band isn't making the same album over and over. Listener Supported contains a nice mix of tunes, albeit with a fair emphasis on their most recent studio effort, Before These Crowded Streets. Among the highlights is a funky, freewheeling take on "Rapunzel," and gorgeous readings of "#41," and the traditional country tune "Long Black Veil." With over two and a half hours of music, the album is enough to sate most DMB fans, at least until the next live album turns up. --Daniel Durchholz« less
If you're of the opinion that the Grateful Dead comparisons that dog the Dave Matthews Band ring false, consider that with the release of Listener Supported, Matthews has put out more live albums (four, if you count Live at Luther College, a duet album with Tim Reynolds) than studio efforts (three, if you don't count the Recently EP). That's a lot of live albums, but Matthews fans probably wouldn't have it any other way. Now it's more possible than ever to haggle over which version of, say, "Warehouse"--which appears on Live at Red Rocks, Luther College, and the new album, as well as on Recently and Under the Table and Dreaming--is definitive. But "Warehouse" aside, the Matthews Band isn't making the same album over and over. Listener Supported contains a nice mix of tunes, albeit with a fair emphasis on their most recent studio effort, Before These Crowded Streets. Among the highlights is a funky, freewheeling take on "Rapunzel," and gorgeous readings of "#41," and the traditional country tune "Long Black Veil." With over two and a half hours of music, the album is enough to sate most DMB fans, at least until the next live album turns up. --Daniel Durchholz
"It seems that the more this incredible quintet play the fuller the sound becomes. This new 2 disc CD,which was recorded in East Rutherford,NJ is a much fuller sounding album than Red Rocks. The band starts with an intro of Seek Up that teases the audience they then move into Pantala Naga Pampa which then segways into a great rendition of Rapunzel. #41,True Reflections, Granny,Crash into Me, and the little heard #40 are highlights of this cd. With guest apperances by keyboardist Butch Taylor and the same backup singers as they had on Before these crowded streets, Listener Supported offers TRUE dmb fans a great concert experience. To those who say that dave releasing another live cd with versions of songs we've heard being too much, well then they aren't really listening to Listener Supported. In particular #41, Warehouse and Rapunzel are examples of how this band can make old songs new again. For all those fans of bassist Stefan Lessard keep your ears open for the 2 string slides he throws in The Stone."
A completely different sound
Ian Ruge | Lincoln, Nebraska | 11/23/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Once again Dave Matthews and his band have reinvented themselves, and their sound. This new album, while containing almost all old material that has been previously released, has a completely fresh sound. I attended a concert during the same tour, and bringing in Butch Taylor on keyboard was a great decision. The band has a full and rich sound on this album, and it sounds completely different than their other live offerings. I would highly recommend it to all DMB fans, and especially to those who don't have the appreciation for the band yet."
Mixed feelings about DMB Listener Supported...
chris | indiana | 11/25/1999
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I'm not sure what to think about Listener Supported. I've got all of the studio albums, plus many bootlegs, including those off of this year's tour. These cd's have amazing sound quality, but some of the performance is watered down, and I believe there have been other concerts from this year that would have made a better live release. Because this concert was taped for a truncated PBS telecast, it inevitably was slotted for a live release. I have seen DMB live many times, and this show doesn't rate at all near the top of the band's capablities. There are some very weak songs, ie #36 and True Reflections, that completely lack the characteristic DMB energy. The gospel singers from Stay appear in much of the concert, and their style generally conflicts with the band, except for Stay, and possibly Long Black Veil. There are highlights, all of the jams (Intro-->Pantala Naga Pampa-->, Jimi Thing, Two Step! , a great #41) and The Stone. This cd is great for unexperienced or curious listeners to catch some of the flavour of this year's tour, but for listeners more knowledgable of the band's repretoire, Listener Supported may leave you with a slightly bitter taste."
Greatest live album ever recorded
James Bishenden | England | 02/03/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Dave Matthews Band have always done great live albums (Red Rocks, Luther College) but this album is by far the best. Listener Supported just gets better and better and draws you in for the climactic and fantastic ending with "All Along the Watchtower". Both CDs of this album are well over 60mins, so dont listen to if you have got plans because you wont be able to turn it off. This album contains some great versions of their greatest tracks, such as a 14min version of Two Step which is unbelievable. This album cannot be missed and any true Dave Matthews fan should already own this album. This album also contains some new material such as 'True Reflections' a great song sung by none other than Boyd Tinsley check it out. So in short, BUY IT!"
Dave releases another one for the fans!
Leslie Lookabill | San Francisco, California | 12/21/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I would like to comment on the review titled "If you have other live DMB this one's a rerun." In this review "A Music Fan" told us that "Listener Supported" is redundant. I would like to point out that the album was aimed at fans. DMB fans (like myself) often attend as many concerts as possible (I've been to over 10), we trade shows with other fans (which is legal) and we pine away until he releases another album. I understand the point that many of the titles appear over and over, but they are different to us. That's what a lot of fans love. We love debating what version of "Two Step" or "Granny" is the best. And that may be why he puts the same songs out over and over. We say things like "Oh...did you hear Boyd's solo on the "X" version of #41?" We love it! And Dave loves us. I realize that I have a biased opinion because I am such a huge fan, but my point is this: The songs on "Listener Supported" appear on other albums, yes. But, they are different to true fans, which is who the album is aimed at. They do not put the same songs out because they have nothing new to play. They do it because we ask them to and it makes us happy.According to www.dmband.com they are going into the studio in early 2000 to create a new studio album. ...And it has only been 1.5 years since "Before These Crowded Streets," was released. That was all new, too, with the exception of "Halloween."The reason I like dave so much is because of his fans and his whole underground trading thing. It is exciting to us and it is a real treat to be able to go to the store and buy a live album. I did not have wait for a week for the mail to come from another fan to send me a mediocre copy of a show to keep my addiction satiated. And I didn't have to wait for months for a tour.Dave has a lot of well-respected friends that respect him, which makes me think he knows what he's doing. Examples are Alanis Morrisette, Santana, and the Rolling Stones who either appeared on DMB albums, or he appeared on theirs. And I must point out a quote to support my point that "dave does it for the fans." On the Tribute to Johnny Cash in dave's introduction it was said that "he made got his fans the old fashioned way...he EARNED their devotion." Any fan can tell you that that is true, indeed. I give it five stars because it was for us...the fans!"