MzRizz's Full Review: Under the Table and Dreaming [12-Track Pressing] b...
It was the soft and relaxing beautiful song from “Crash” CD, a song titled, Proudest Monkey that embraced me into the musical landscape world of Dave Matthews Band. The soothingly hypnotic voice and powerful musical arrangement made this my “stranded on an desert island” song. After that, I bought the video tape of the live concert “Listener Supported” that I heard Warehouse. So…. I picked up “Under the Table and Dreaming", their first commercially successful CD and was further impressed!
I’m Hooked!
What is it about Dave Matthews that has me hooked? Is it that little spastic jig he does with his feet? Could it be his clean cut handsome looks wearing those flannel shirts? Or what about the powerful musical ensemble performing with him? Can a terrific voice be nasal and sensual simultaneously? What about the complex lyrical writing style – quite an interesting way to express himself.
Whatever, it is or the combination of all of the above, I am hooked on this enormously successful young man who hails from Charlottesville, Virginia. It isn’t a surprise that he was born in South Africa as his music is peppered with strong African cultural influences.
Superb racially mixed group
DMB is musically innovative, exciting and extremely talented. After a stint as a bar tender, Dave Matthews searched for and ultimately landed a racially mixed group including talented jazz musicians Leroi Moore on sax and Carter Beauford on drums. Even more appealing, Matthews recruited a very young 16 year old bass player Stefan Lessard whose style included reggae and jazz. Last to join was Boyd Tinseley, who is said to have stumbled into violin playing; he almost pursued a career in classical music.
When asked how Matthews developed his style, he said was intimidated by the fine musicians and says, “there was no way I was going to tell them what to play.”
It is not surprise the success of this CD, it is a phenomenal mix of music enhanced with expressive lyrics. With a burst of rock energy, What Would You Say is filled with explosive diverse vocal ranges melding into a potent chorus. The background vocals give a feel of a rock operatic sound such as when they harmonically shout in unison …..Mom it’s my birthday! This song is an impressive mix of vocals, melody and musical arrangement.
"Warehouse"... you don’t get better than this!
The highlight is the song with such musical contrast titled Warehouse”. The intro is slower, then breaks into a completely different rhythmic style, a fluctuating tempo/ beat and varying vocal ranges. Matthews has the talent to weave different melodies and arrangements into one song. What is so pleasing to the ear is the violin of Boyd Tinsely, who expertly created a tick tock percolating sound that flows through with a danceable, foot tapping, body swaying exotic rhythm. And, what if I don’t understand these phrases…….."the black cat changing colors …and we can walk under ladders… and swim as the tide choose to turn you……." It’s Dave’s voice and melody here that makes this song so unique. This is why I bought the CD!
Powerful mix
What is really intriguing about What Would You Say is the lyrics. Not quite sure I have the meaning down, but it says…....up and down the puppies hair .. fleas and ticks jump everywhere…cause of original sin ….down the hill fell Jack and Jill and you came tumbling after….cause of original sin Cause of original sin???? What’s that about?
..…needle to the vein....needle to the vein…
A striking contrast is the powerful deep raspy, raw vocals to Rhyme and Reason I get a kick out of the sing-song verse....."my head won’t leave my head alone", which differs from the sharp crude lyrics ..."needle to the vein, needle to the vein!" This is a painfully dark, edgy, hard sound; all I can say is …Wow!
A few songs are relaxing, like Pay For What You Get, Satellite, and the instrumental #34.Lover Lay Down is lush romanticism, soft and sultry. Here is Matthews sweet and beautiful voice. It’s no doubt that he has such changing vocal sounds, smooth and soft to deep, raspy or nasal.
Jimi Thing, Dancing Nancies and Ants Marching are in a class of their own. It takes listening to some of these a few times, but that’s all it takes. These are upbeat with a jazzy funk sound.
Under the Table and Dreaming
THERE IS NOT a title track called “Under the Table and Dreaming”, that phrase comes from heavy bass and percussion sounds of Ants Marching..."goes to visit his mommy…..She feeds him well.. his concerns he forgets them and remembers being small playing under the table and dreaming."
I say this is Dave Matthews best CD! Now all I have to do is figure out what he is singing about...that’s part II. ...MzRizz.
Music....it's always great for a write-off. Thanks to GasJocket214 for initiating this 4-5 Star CD write-off!
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