Boyd Tinsley mixes it up with Matthews.
Review and Photos by Terry Mayer
Along with Jimmy Buffett, Ozzfest and Aerosmith, The Dave Matthews Band insures a sold out crowd that migrate to the grassy green knolls of Alpine Valley Music Theater every year. Like Buffett, Matthews sold out two consecutive nights. Corey Harris, who opened for Dave Matthews got an introduction from Dave who stated how much he enjoyed coming to Alpine Valley. He truly loves playing here. As Dave finished his intro, Corey Harris attacked the stage with a jazz-blues sound that was peppered with jam-slathered undertones of reggae. Harris proved a perfect opener for Matthews.From the moment The Dave Matthews Band hit the stage you knew it was going to be a vibrant night. Right from the start the band opened with "Tripping Billies" from 1993's Remember Two Things then moved into "Don't Drink The Water" from Before These Crowded Streets and "Grey Street" off the new album Busted Stuff.
"What Would You Say" took the crowd to a higher level as Dave danced in his own unique style while helping to mesmerize the buzzing guitars into a more frenzied pace. Matthews would get applause even has he sipped from his drink. His legion of fans unflinchingly adore him. The audience was feeling the sound and the sensations that Dave and company produced. "Grace Is Gone" and "When The World Ends" kept the fans cheering and having a good time. The bluesier "Bartender" was a timely midset placement. "Crush" and "Driving In and Out" kept the rhythmic undertow nearly afloat as the backbeats crashed into the consciousness of the faithful.
Dave had the fans in his trance like a two-bit sideshow barker. As Boyd Tinsley feverishly sawed the violin, LeRoi Moore peppered the mood with a kick-ass sax. Stefan Lessard went on his own with a ragged edged style bass solo as the rest of the band gamely joined in for "Stir it Up" by Bob Marley. This is long jam marathon, afterall. An acoustic version of "All Along the Watchtower" by Bob Dylan gave way to a slow somber darkness. After a short absence the band returned to finish the evening up with "Digging a Ditch" and ended with 'What You Are."
The Dave Matthews Band are indeed ascending a mountain they may never fall from.
