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Words by: Forrest Reda :: Images by: Mark Davidson
Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds:: 10.28.06
Santa Barbara Bowl :: Santa Barbara, CA
Dave & Tim :: 10.28 :: Santa Barbara |
On a gorgeous autumn night at the Santa Barbara Bowl, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds provided a soundtrack for friends and lovers.
Dave's voice was raspy from a trip to Las Vegas, but this beautiful imperfection fit with the storyteller vibe of the show. Sitting on a chair with long-time collaborator Tim Reynolds, Matthews hand-picked songs from his catalog, and the crowd loved every choice he made and every story he told. Perhaps in a nod to Vegas, the lone cover-song was an interlude into Elvis Presley's "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You."
Dave Matthews :: 10.28 :: Santa Barbara |
Dave Matthews debunks the rock star myth with self-deprecating humor, but it's impossible to watch him and not think he's a special artist. He's experienced huge success but tours relentlessly, whether with his band or in a variety of other musical projects. Fans love them all, and this incarnation was a perfect fit with the surprisingly intimate Santa Barbara Bowl – a well-rounded three hours of music from the bottom of his heart. Including the encore, Matthews played straight until the 10pm curfew, taking only a short break while Tim Reynolds showcased his immense guitar skills.
Matthews introduced songs by telling the crowd who they were written about, "I'm a family man," he confessed at one interval. Matthews dedicated songs to his stepfather, grandfather, and during the poignant encore, his "Sister."
DMB standards like "Dodo," "Jimi Thing," "Lie In Our Graves," "Crash Into Me," and "Ants Marching" don't lose anything when performed acoustically. While this is partly due to their structure, Tim Reynolds provides more than just acoustic guitar; he creates a variety of sounds from his instrument, at times mimicking an entire string section.
Dave & Tim :: 10.28 :: Santa Barbara |
"Play anything Dave!" was one of the many requests shouted adoringly from the crowd, and so it was. Matthews took listeners on a tour of his strong catalog, providing comic relief between songs. Some stories were priceless, like Matthews talking about adventures in air travel, and others were probably only funny if you were there.
"Don't be afraid. People are trying to make you feel afraid, but don't be" said Matthews. "It's a waste of time."
Dave Matthews is a mischievous devil with a voice from heaven and a finger on the pulse of America. On this night, Matthews played many roles: joker, crooner, songwriter, and social commentator. His music has aged well, and it feels good to know Dave Matthews will be making people laugh and dance for years to come.
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