Dave Matthews Singing All Along the Watchtower, Central Park, Manhattan

Tonight was the free Dave Matthews Band concert, raising money for public schools, at Central Park. Despite the fact that it was sponsored by AOL (bleh!) and that I haven’t really been “in to” DMB for a few years (I actually used to trade tapes back in the day!), I went and had a great time.

Pretty Colored Lights, Dave Matthews Band, Central Park, Manhattan

We had to stand in line for about two hours and when we finally got to the Great Lawn at about 7:45, the concert had already started. We settled in about 3/4 way to the back and enjoyed about 2 more hours of music. During the first encore.. or was it the second? there were a few, Lisa and I made our way closer to one of the video screens where we had a great view for the last song of the encore, All Along the Watchtower. I assumed that the show was then over because DMB has played that song last at each of the 3 previous shows I’d attended over the years. No one was moving so we hung out for a while.. finally deciding the show must be over we started to head towards the back to leave. Just then the lights went down and the band was back on stage. Lisa and I quickly made our way towards the stage, up as close as we could go until we got to the barrier that divided us from the VIP section. There we enjoyed the final encore.

Closer to the Stage, Dave Matthews Band, Central Park, Manhattan

Hippie Pot Smoke?, Dave Matthews Band, Central Park, Manhattan

I was really happy that the band decided to play many old songs.. many before their 1996 album, Crash. Those are my favorites – Granny, Ants Marching, Jimi Thing, One Sweet World, What Would You Say. I thought a great tribute would have been if they played a cover they do of Long Black Veil by Johnny Cash, but no dice. Still, the show was great and brought back many fond memories of my past obsession with the band, concerts I’ve been to and those I’ve attended with.

Big thanks to Dennis, Willow & Lisa for getting the tickets. Dennis isn’t very fluent in Davespeak. I was translating for him in between songs. He mentioned earlier in the day that he was looking forward to seeing All Along the Watchtower, but then had to leave before the song was played so I took these two clips for him:

� All Along the Watchtower 1 (mov, 376kb)
� All Along the Watchtower 2 (mov, 572kb)

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