Got My World Spinning

Say what you will about the Warehouse, but when that "free" disc comes in the mail, I feel like a kid at Hanukkah. This year was no exception, and, in my opinion, surpassed recent offerings. Between you and me, there's only one song that I skip, which will remain nameless. Get it? Seriously, though, I'm thrilled to have a good live version of "Snow Outside," as this has turned out to be my favorite track off of "Away From The World." But the real stunners of this CD are "The Dreaming Tree," "Typical Situation," "Recently," "Sugar Will," and "Kill The King." The last two, especially, are enough to keep any "no hits, just deep tracks" fan happy.

Part of what's so exciting about the inclusion of "Sugar Will" and "Kill The King," is the fact that summer is coming, and this could be a foreshadow of what's to come! This would be a real treat since "Sugar Will" hasn't been played consistently since 2004, and not at all since 2010. And besides a single, mind-blowing appearance of "Kill The King" in 2011, fans haven't been blessed with that beauty since 2006. All in all that song has only seen the stage 8 times. But it isn't just the rarity of these songs that make them so unique. The songs themselves are gems in their own right.

"Sugar Will," reminds me of something that could have been played by the Grateful Dead, and not just because the name is a little similar to "Sugar Magnolia." It has a slow-ish, steady, way about it that makes every cell in your body relax. And of course the lyrics, "Sugar ain't poison, but sugar will kill me. Too much of a good thing, maybe not so good," can be applied to anything from sugar itself to...well, anything short of love. Because, remember, you can't get too much of that. "Sugar Will" also takes us back to the days where Leroi's solid sounds dominated the horns section. Plus, there's a funky guitar portion where Stefan, who was just nominated as one of the top 10 rock bassists, tears the house down.

In a way, "Sugar Will" and "Kill The King" are musical opposites, despite the fact that neither have set lyrics. Where "Sugar Will" showcases each musician on his own, "Kill The King," features one of those DMB exclusives where the whole band just merges into one jaw-droppings story. And, if "Sugar Will" warns against the dangers of obsessive "love," "Kill The King," speaks to real love; the kind where someone's laugh or smile fills another with strength, inspiration, and a belief in himself that far surpasses what he thinks of himself on his own. Therein lies the difference between true, healthy love and codependence. The first actually raises your sense of empowerment and makes you feel better about yourself, where the latter leaves you feeling like a strung-out junkie.

Whether or not this summer will see live performances of these rare, and possibly opposing, dishes remains to be seen. In the meantime, we have Warehouse 10 to listen to, and that is sweet as a little red bird.

Hayley Bauman, Psy.D.

Dave's Wheelhouse on Tumblr.

Dave Matthews is testing the waters again with social media, this time with Tumblr. He has created his own "blog" on tumblr entitled "Dave's Wheelhouse". Dave has already posted a variety of interesting items including news articles, pictures and a very unique video called Itica Pritica, which is the title of the artwork he recently had displayed in New York City. 

If you are glued to Facebook and Twitter and are unfamiliar with Tumblr, you will find that it is a very fun a powerful social networking site. Basically your own personal spot to post anything you want on the go. Pictures, videos, links, music and more.

Whether Dave's Wheelhouse will flourish as an extension of Dave Matthews or will fade away like his twitter account remains to be seen, but it is something to keep an eye on. 

Things Here Are Not As They Seem

Okay, so I have to tell a story about taking my 3 year old daughter, Stella, shopping. I promise there is a link to DMB, you just have to wait for it. But, if you've been reading my articles all of these years, you already knew that.

So, the other day, Stella and I went to Kohl's. This was rather a big deal for us, since the store is 45 minutes from our home. It was so far that Stella even fell asleep on the way there. We had made a deal though, that I was to wake her up in that event, so I did. We made it into the store, where I looked around for about 2 minutes, before heading to the dressing room. Since Stella was still pretty sleepy, I brought her into the huge room where she could sit comfortably in the shopping cart. But after about 30 seconds, she asked to get out of the cart and started making that face. You know, the poopy face. You see, Stella is pee-pee potty trained, but when it comes to poops, she prefers a diaper. Therefore, this was really not a good face for her to be making at that moment, because she was not wearing a diaper, and the closest one was out in my car, which was parked ridiculously far away.

But, I decided, I am a mom, I can handle this. So, we left the cart and the clothes in the dressing room and headed out into the store. I asked Stella to wait right by the door, and I instructed her not to move a muscle for anyone other than me. I was terrified to leave her there, but it seemed like the only option. And then I ran, like a cheetah, to the car. I passed elderly couples who surely thought that I was stealing something, I retrieved the diaper, and returned to the store. Stella saw me and said, "Is that you, Mommy?" I was thrilled that she was taking this situation so seriously.

After taking care of her "situation," I shopped for another 2.3 minutes, before heading back to the dressing room with Stella. She was complaining that we had left "her babies," which I finally deciphered meant the safety clips on our shopping cart. But when we entered the dressing room, all stalls were open except for the huge one. It had been inhabited by one single teenage girl. This seriously tested my ability to be a compassionate human being. Why does one young lady need the big room? She's alone! And not handicapped! Doesn't she realize that there are mothers who have driven 45 minutes, ran like cheetahs, changed poopy undies, and are sweaty and exhausted, and really need that room?!

And this is where Dave's lyrics came into play. I started thinking about "The Stone," and the line, "I was just wondering if you'd come along, hold up my head when my head won't hold on," and I realized that I have no idea where that girl is coming from. Maybe she has a tiny room at home and goes to Kohl's to feel glamorous. Or maybe she has a severe case of body dysmorphic disorder and thinks she can't fit into a smaller stall. Or maybe she is a mother of 6, out on her only free afternoon.

The truth is none of us really knows what anyone else is dealing with. People may look completely "fine" on the outside while battling torturous internal demons. Hence, I wasn't rude to this girl. I didn't even offer her one of my signature dirty looks. Instead, it was a wonderful opportunity for me to remember that above all things, if kindness if your king, then heaven will be yours, before you meet your end.

Hayley Bauman, Psy.D.

Sneek Peak at 2013 DMB Tour Stage Set

Newsplex recently caught up with lighting director Fenton Williams who is currently stationed at the John Paul Jones Arena setting up and working on the new set that  Dave Matthews Band will use in its upcoming tour.

The crew has been building the set at the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, VA for the past two weeks.

"On Thursday the crew was installing what they call a "video wall." It is 60 feet long and 20 feet high, and it curves around the stage. During concerts, the screen will show live video of the band and other original videos created by the crew. Williams says the curved design will make it easier for all fans in the arena to enjoy the show."

After 20 years with Dave Matthews Band it comes as no surprise that Fenton is yet again setting the bar high when it comes to the lighting and stage set up. Every tour has brought view or aspect that fans had not seen the year prior.

The 2013 Summer Tour will kick off on May 17th in Woodlands, TX.

Check out the full article and video report from newsplex.com

Some additional screen shots of the 2013 DMB Stage set

New DMBLive Release: April 7th, 1995 - Durham, NC

Classic show 04/07/95 from Cameron Indoor Stadium at Durham, NC was named the next release in the digital DMBLive Series on dmband.com

This show includes many classic performance from that time period, but the most notable highlights from the set come in the encore. This shows provides one of the very first performances of "#40", and the very first performance of "#41" also dubbed as "41 Police". This was the first public of #41, very raw and undeveloped, until later when it was released on "Crash" and thereafter. 

This DMBLive release is another rare gem to add to any fans collection.

You can download this show now, via the dmb store.

JamBase's "Sunday Cinema" features DMB & Big Voice Jack

This past weekend Jambase.com started a new article column called "Sunday Cinema" featuring a concert film or documentary. For their first selection they chose an awesome documentary with Dave Matthews Band & "Big Voice Jack".

Many fans may recall performances with Jack Lerole in 1998 at Foxboro and Giants Stadiums. You can check out those performances right here on dbtp. 

Listen to "Back to Alexandria"

Jack met Dave Matthews while touring in South Africa and later invited Jack back to the states to perform on stage with DMB.  Sadly Lerole passed away due to throat cancer on March 12, 2003.

If you have not yet seen this documentary, it is worth checking out. Big Voice Jack was very much a unique talent. 

Turn, Turn, We Almost Become Dizzy

Recently my world was shaken. Two bombs exploded at the Boston Marathon, right at the finish line. The bombs were timed for maximum impact, going off around 4 hours after the start of the race, when most leisure-runners would be finishing. They were homemade devices, made of nails and shrapnel, intended for killing and maiming athletes and the bystanders there to support them.

I grew up in Framingham, Massachusetts, roughly 26 miles West of Boston, very close to the start of the race. The Boston Marathon was always a very big deal in my community, as it was an event that caught the attention of the entire nation. My Dad ran it once, and I stood on the sidelines, although, I was too young to remember this. I do remember watching the race from various points, or on television, and sometimes lamenting the fact that it overshadowed my birthday.  

But mostly, the Boston Marathon just reminds me of my hometown, where I lived for 18 years in the same house before moving to Miami for college. I think this is why I've had such a hard time processing this act of terror. It happened in my back yard.

I have been on an emotional roller-coaster since last Monday, and I wasn't even there! I can't imagine what it must have been like for those in attendance, and especially for those hurt, or hurting from losing others. In the last few days, I've been increasingly aware of my legs and all that they do for me, and of the fact that my husband and daughter are healthy and whole.

But I've also been thinking about the value of time, and how precious each moment becomes when tragedy occurs. The fact is, none of us really knows what might happen next, and as scary as that is, we can either choose to live life to the fullest, or hide in fear. In it's music, the Dave Matthews Band chooses life.

With lyrics like, "Don't burn the day," and "Life is short but sweet for certain," the band espouses the importance of being an active participant on this fragile journey. In fact, this "carpe diem" philosophy is as DMB as the day is long.

Interestingly, last week, I realized that another musical artist is also concerned with time. In a yahoo article by Billy Johnson, Jr., Flavor Flav is quoted as saying that "The reason why I wear this clock is because it represents time being the most important element in our life," he said. "Time can't afford to be wasted, but not only that, but God only gave us one life. Each minute we live, we got to live each second to our best value. Time brought us up in here, and time can also take us out."

When I read that, I immediately thought of Dave, as his vocals have echoed this sentiment for years.

There are many ways for us to learn the value of time. Tragedy teaches it, as does the wisdom of artists. There is no use in worrying, or hurrying. Today, there's only sunshine on your shoulders.

Hayley Bauman, Psy.D.

Extremely Rare DMB Live Trax Vol 1 Blue Vinyl

This Saturday, (April 20th, 2013) was the annual Record Store Day, supporting and celebrating local independently owned record stores across the US and the world. Music fans lined up in swarms to grab copies of LP’s and CD’s.  Some reissues, but other very rare and exclusive releases which can only be acquired on record store day. This is what has made this yearly event fun which has grown in popularity with every passing year.

As a Dave Matthews Band fan and a music fan in general I look forward to this event every year and most who partake in this event normally go with a list with what it is they are going for. Every year many artists announce what they will be releasing for record store day, getting fans all amped up for the approaching day. Some are very easily attainable, and others are not, very limited and very rare.

If you are not a collector or even a fan of LP’s (kids’ ask your parents) then this might all seem kind of pointless and less than exciting, but when there comes to be a band that you like say, “Dave Matthews Band” that has a release that you like to obtain, than it’s a game changer.

For me personally, I am old school classic rock guy and could potentially spend hundreds on record store day, but we won’t go there.

This year Dave Matthews Band announced that they would be releasing a limited edition, foil numbered vinyl release of Live Trax 1: 12.8.1998 The Centrum Worcester, MA on 180 gram blue vinyl. Only 500 printed, which is an extremely small number.

Obviously as a collector, dontburnthepig.org attempted to obtain a copy of this live trax vinyl on April 20th, but without any luck, we struck out. It turns out the stores that we visited didn’t even receive a copy, and the one store in our area that did have a copy (only one)  was turned around and sold online for $400. That is a damn shame if you ask me, especially for someone who is a true collector and not just trying to make a buck.

So we could probably rate this release up there with the one of the rarest DMB releases out of the gates.

It is also important to note in dmband’s announcement about the blue vinyl release:  “A 4LP box set and the first pressing will only be available at independent record stores.”

The mention of a first pressing eludes that there will be more copies of this vinyl made, however that does not mean it will be released in the exclusive blue vinyl that was distributed for record store day.

The only other release that was exclusive to record store day was in 2010 when they released the 7’ vinyl with the 2 –track Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds taken from the Las Vegas performances. This release was in many more stores, with multiple copies. Still a rarer find, but not even close to the degree of this Live Trax release.

It is important to support recording artists by buying their albums and equally important to support your local record stores. If you have not check out a record store, or taken part in record store day, we promise you won’t be disappointed.

Hopefully in due time dbtp.org will be able to acquire one of those blue vinyl live trax to add to our archives. We will leave that fate in the hands of god. We surly will not be paying $400. Happy Earth Day!

Live Trax 25 Release announced 05.30.06

The 25th release in the Live Trax series is the 2006 Summer tour opener at UMB Bank Pavilion in Maryland Heights, MO. Coming off the 2005 "Stand Up" tour in 2005 this show kicked off what would be a refreshing and exciting tour.

This show in particular feature a lot of great highlights, like the continuation of the rebirth of "JTR" which saw it first performance at the Jazz Fest just a month prior, but had not been play since the 2001 prior. In addition, songs like "Raven", "Granny", "Grace is Gone", "Don't Burn The Pig" (which the DMB page entitles the song as although it is actually just "Pig"), but we will go with it, after all we are fans of DBTP!

This show is well worthy of your pre-order, which you can do right now. There are various bundle options, including a t-shirt or poster.

If you want the most for your money you could go all out and get the full bundle with the live trax, t-shirt and poster. With that offer you can get that all for only $5 shipping!

Live Trax 25 will be released on May 21st, 2013 and will begin shipping around May 17th.

Beautifully Broken Things

In preparation for a "Soul Workshop," that I am presenting in a couple of weeks, my mind has been flooded with thoughts of ego and soul. I always knew that this was a complicated topic, but I never realized that everyone had their own definitions of these two entities. Add to that the fact that psychology, religion, and philosophy all claim their respective meanings, and this discussion is enough to make heads spin.

But then, in comes Dave to make it alright. This morning, I saw a quote from the wise frontman. Referencing the meaning of the title, "Away From The World," he remarked, "It kind of is suggesting that all of us are sort of removed from the world, in a way, in our minds. That we're all in the same boat, even though we're sort of locked in our own heads." Way to go, Dave. You just described the predicament of the ego.

Now, you could say that I'm just seeing ego examples everywhere due to the old, think it-see it rationale. Admittedly, I read an article showcasing the differences between bunnies and hares and I saw the ego/soul distinction between the lines. But here, it really seems that Dave is lamenting the isolating state of the ego, who believes that he is separate, alone, and away from the world.

Last weekend, I was feeling crafty, so I made the image above. This is how I see what's going on. There you can see the ego, who believes that everything is all about her, and the soul, who is part of a much larger network where everyone and everything is connected. The place where the two circles intersect shows a person who is in a state of peaceful alignment. I believe that we all have moments like this, where everything seems so right. The problem is, that the ego wants to feel like that all the time, only this is not possible.

Despite the shortcomings of our egos, it's important not to undermine their function. Many new age texts urge us to drop our egos entirely, when this would be like losing our legs. We need the ego to help us stay grounded and in reality. Otherwise, we would not be able to function on this plane. Yes, we are souls living as humans, but in order to sustain this human life, we need a way to put one foot in front of the other.

How, then, can we reconcile the differences between ego and soul? How can we live a connected, mindful life, where we understand that separateness is an illusion, but that we must live as if it were not?

I have no idea. The best that I can come up with is that we do it one breath at a time: with love, compassion, and understanding for our human condition; with playfulness and humility; with as much time as possible in nature; with an appreciation for the beautiful serendipity that surrounds us; with laughter.

And, undoubtedly, with Dave.

Hayley Bauman, Psy.D.