Fans who ordered the Super Deluxe version of “Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King” received, among other goodies, a bonus disc containing four songs: “#27,” “Beach Ball,” “Little Red Bird,” and “Write a Song.” None of these songs have been previously released as a studio track, although listeners might recognize “#27” and “Beachball” from their live recordings. The bluesy “#27” debuted live on 7/28/07 (too bad it wasn't one day earlier on the 27th!) and was played three times during the Spring 2009 tour. “Beach Ball” was first performed live on 4/29/09 and presented once more last Spring. “Little Red Bird,” and “Write a Song,” have yet to be introduced on stage.Fans who ordered the Super Deluxe version of “Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King” received, among other goodies, a bonus disc containing four songs: “#27,” “Beach Ball,” “Little Red Bird,” and “Write a Song.” None of these songs have been previously released as a studio track, although listeners might recognize “#27” and “Beachball” from their live recordings. The bluesy “#27” debuted live on 7/28/07 (too bad it wasn't one day earlier on the 27th!) and was played three times during the Spring 2009 tour. “Beach Ball” was first performed live on 4/29/09 and presented once more last Spring. “Little Red Bird,” and “Write a Song,” have yet to be introduced on stage.Many DMB fans stood out the rain for Dave Matthews Band to take (smaller stage) as they performed a few songs on the Today Show this morning in New York City! "Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King" was released in stores on June 2nd and the band has had quite a busy week promoting the new album.
DMB continues the summer tour tonight in Hartford, CT. Visit the dbtp.org chat room for set list discussion at 8pm EST.
Watch the Today Show Performances
Anytime a world renowned band releases a new album, a plethora of reviews is sure to follow. Every opinion from the good, to the bad and ugly will be expressed. Some neophytes expose their lack of knowledge about the band by misquoting lyrics or mistaking the number of albums produced, or worse yet, making it clear that they've never experienced a live show. In many ways, critical analyses tell far more about the assessor than the assessed. That being said, here's a summary of what the journalistic world is saying about “Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King.”There are a few key points that most writers are articulating in their descriptions of the new creation.
Dave Matthews Band will be featured on CBS News Sunday Morning, this Sunday, May 31st at (9:00-10:30 AM, EST). Anchored by Charles Osgood, the Dave Matthews Band makes its morning television debut, opening up to correspondent Anthony Mason about the sudden death of saxophonist LeRoi Moore and why the group almost broke up.
This is the first of a few interviews coming up within the next week as DMB promotes their new album "Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King", which is in stores June 2nd.
UPDATE: 05/31/09 - Watch the Broadcast
Dave Matthews was right when he described “Big Whiskey” as a record that “doesn't apologize.” With this effort, the band held no bars and left no stone unturned. The album boasts incredibly diverse sounds, representing everything from the back streets of New Orleans in “Alligator Pie,” to an almost Jimi Hendrix-like feel in “Seven.” The fact that one production successfully merged such divergent musical genres is a stunning accomplishment, even for the Dave Matthews Band.
They say it takes a village to raise a child. Thanks to the support and encouragement of everyone involved, the youngster grows into a confident, secure adult, ready to take on the world. Well, the same can be said of a creating a new record. Birthed and developed with loving hands, the album makes its way into the good graces of fans. As we're all basking in the splendor of the finished product, let's take a moment to honor the process that made “Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King” a reality.There is no doubt that this album is reminiscent of old school Dave Matthews Band. There is a distinctly unique feel evident in the band's first four albums, “Remember Two Things,” “Under the Table and Dreaming,” “Crash,” and “Before These Crowded Streets.” Many fans felt that the band lost their way with “Everyday” and “Stand Up,” as the characteristic DMB essence seemed to have changed somehow. Now that the old DMB spirit has returned for “Big Whiskey,” we can clearly see what has been missing.