Customer Reviews

Dave Matthews Band - Live at Folsom Field Boulder Colorado

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

there's just too much editing and cuts to differing camera angles. If you enjoyed the intimacy of the Listener Supported DVD, you will probably be a little disappointed in this DVD. Take this with a grain of salt b/c I'm one of those people that enjoys seeing the band most of the time and feeling the intimacy involved with that. The cuts from Dave TO the other band members TO the crowd TO a distant shot TO a gimmick shot of a three way split screen is just too much for me.

I loved Listener Supported and would love to be able to give this DVD a higher rating, but just can't. It seemed to me that Listener Supported perfectly balanced shots of all the differing band members with a few shots of the crowd at proper times. This just seems scattered (sorry, best word I could think of). It's great to hear some of the songs for the first time live and it's great just because it's a live DMB show, but the editing and gimmicky production are bothersome. I'm surprised DMB let it be this overproduced b/c what I love about their shows is that they are what they are--a great live show about great music with little show business and a lot of spirit, heart, and sincerity.

The music is great as always and deserves 5 stars, but to be honest it's hard for me to even give 3 stars overall b/c of the production. I'm a die-hard DMB fan, but am disappointed with this DVD. It may still be worth your purchase, but you may want to view a friend's once before dropping the bucks.

I am an avid Dave Matthews Band customer. I have everything they have produced. I can listen to any of their CDs and know almost every single word to every song. Being so, I was not afraid to buy both the CD and DVD. This has been the first dissapointment with Dave Matthews.

On the package, it states with pride that it took 22 cameras to film this event. That sounded good, but after watching the FIRST song, I knew that this was a problem, more than a blessing.

It is as if the editor was afraid to not let a single shot be left behind. The average shot probably lasts for about two seconds. There is no way to connect to the band. Face is, DMB always plays big venues, and unless you have really good seats, it can be hard to feel cnnected. This was always the blessing of a video of a live preformance. This chance we have is taken away from us.

Maybe next time they'll figure out a multitude of cameras can be helpful, if you don't feel obligated to show every single one of them all the time.

This is not to say the music is great. The music IS great. Its too bad the video actually distracts you from listening to it. So just go ahead and buy the CD, and you will be pleased. This product, however, deserves to be forgotten.

Dave Matthews Band is phenomenal live. The energy and talent they demonstrate when performing is genius. This DVD captures the experience, but I agree with the reviewer that says the camerawork could use some help. It's as though they gave the guy in the editing room a new toy to play with when piecing together the shots. Way too choppy and too many special effects. The band sounds incredible though; good mix of new and old songs, very good picture and the sound is unreal. The DVD is worth purchasing just for the sound. You can listen to the concert in Dolby Digital 5.1 which makes the regular CD sound mediocre. The separation of instruments, vocals and the crowd is very impressive. Highly recommended, but would suggest picking up Listener Supported first if this is your first DMB DVD. Better yet grab them both.

I liked the quick shot editing--I think it works well with the stimulation and excitment of the music. "I did it," was never one of my favorites, but here, I love it, as I see the crowd get down and dirty, having fun, and see the quick visual of the girl energetically brushing her black hair behind her ears while simling, bobing her head, and licking her lips. I'm glad they threw that in there, although others might think it qualified as just another herky-jerky MTV style edit. Seeing the crowd groove, and hug eath other, to Dave is almost as much fun as listening to Dave himself, because, afterall, that night, he made it for them. And it's an attractive crowd. The outdoors effect is beautiful as well--it almost seems as if The Band plays the sun down themselves, during "Bartender." My only complaint is that it appears as if the saxaphone mic droped dead, near the end. But otherwise, a very stiring, emotinal, and beautiful concert DVD, which demonstrates just why so many are captivated by the music.

After a few months of reading these reviews I felt the need to qualify many of them. Some of DMB's harshest critics are also their most devoted fans. Every piece of work is analyzed to the highest degree. If the work isn't near perfect then for whatever reason the band is blasted for creating something unsatisfactory. The funny thing is though, even though they blast it you can bet they own it. So, the bottom line is that you can't apply a devoted fan's review to the average consumer. The fact of the matter is that this is an incredible DVD which showcases the genius of who is considered to be the greatest touring band ever. Sure, the video editing is at times disconcerting but you get used to it pretty quick. The 5.1 audio is nothing short of top notch, and the set list is awesome. Old material, new material, and everything in between. Do youself a favor and pick up this DVD. The pure musical talent and energy that these guys bring to the stage has never been matched and probably never will be.

Is this an experimental camera work video?? ...way too many different camera shots, zoom-ins, zoom-outs, etc. Rarely does a camera stay on a single shot for more than 3 seconds. I counted 229 different shot changes in one song alone. It's a shame because the music is great. I have no desire to watch this dvd again...unless my eyes are closed.... 5 stars for the music...no stars for the video.

I agree with the first reviewer. I think the video editor tried to approach the editing with a music video type of style. The camera kept changing rather abruptly from one band member to another then to the audience. I don't mind the camera changes, but to do it constantly within short periods of time is quite distracting for a live performance. Also, the visual effects (the 'tri-window-thingy' and the 'audio/visual sync' in the climax of jamming session) really turned me off. Jump near the end of Two Steps and you'll see what I mean.

In a live performance, I would like to see the performer's facial and body expression especially during the jam sessions. Unfortunately this DVD doesn't really allow you to do that. It Should've been approached with 'Listener Supported' style.

Aside from that, the music is excellent. DMB is in its finest when performing live, so this DVD is still a must for DMB fans.

The video editing makes the DVD unwatchable. The video cuts have no relationship to the music. It just jumps from shot to shot - no matter if there's a solo or Dave is singing - it justs keep channel surfing the whole time.

The supposed editing issues didn't bother me at all, the only aspect of this otherwise excellent DVD that REALLY annoys me is the fact that about half-way through, the visuals start to drag behind the sound. (Has anyone else noticed this?)
One of the best things about DMB I beleive, is Carter Beauford. I play the drums also and totally respect that mans playing; it's incredible, so I was watching him closely to figure out how the heck he gets his sounds but as I have said, half way through, he was hitting drums but the sound wasn't in time with the visuals. Now most people are probably thinking "what? who cares?, the editing is terrible etc etc". Any drummer out there who has watched Carter play in this DVD would be dissapointed as well, I am sure.
Now, I am no producer but one would think that getting the sound and the pictures of a live rock show to match up would be high on the priority list. Obviously not in this case....
I end up just listening to the 2nd half of the show. I felt that all the songs rocked, especially the songs off "Everyday". The only dissapointment was "Ants Marching" which started off well then it seemed as if everyone got a bit tired and it sort of fell over.
I am surprised that DMB gave this DVD the "green light" in-so-far-as production values.

DMB's worst concert ever probably blows the best shows of other artists out of the water. These guys are just so terrific on stage that it almost makes listening to their albums a let down.

Now, I admit, the Central Park show that was released a while after this one is a better show in almost all departments, this one has a few things going for it that the other show did not.

First off, this is the show that wound up starting late because of traffic conditions in the area (DMB wanted to make sure all the fans made it in before starting), and therefore went on later than it was supposed to, resulting in a noise-violation citing for the band. Kinda cool that they'd put themselves through that for their fans, huh?

Second, "Bartender". I hadn't heard this song yet (for some reason I hadn't gotten around to buying the "Busted Stuff" disc, don't ask me why), and I'm glad. Seeing and hearing for the first time through this particular performance was an experience that will resonate in my musical membranes for the rest of my life. I'm in a band because I want to be able to make an audience feel the way I did when I watched this performance.

So, grab 'em both! Folsum Field, Central Park, both are well, well, well worth it.