Customer Reviews

Listener Supported

5 star:		(182)
4 star:		(57)
3 star:		(24)
2 star:		(15)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

It seems that the more this incredible quintet play the fuller the sound becomes. This new 2 disc CD,which was recorded in East Rutherford,NJ is a much fuller sounding album than Red Rocks. The band starts with an intro of Seek Up that teases the audience they then move into Pantala Naga Pampa which then segways into a great rendition of Rapunzel. #41,True Reflections, Granny,Crash into Me, and the little heard #40 are highlights of this cd. With guest apperances by keyboardist Butch Taylor and the same backup singers as they had on Before these crowded streets, Listener Supported offers TRUE dmb fans a great concert experience. To those who say that dave releasing another live cd with versions of songs we've heard being too much, well then they aren't really listening to Listener Supported. In particular #41, Warehouse and Rapunzel are examples of how this band can make old songs new again. For all those fans of bassist Stefan Lessard keep your ears open for the 2 string slides he throws in The Stone.

Once again Dave Matthews and his band have reinvented themselves, and their sound. This new album, while containing almost all old material that has been previously released, has a completely fresh sound. I attended a concert during the same tour, and bringing in Butch Taylor on keyboard was a great decision. The band has a full and rich sound on this album, and it sounds completely different than their other live offerings. I would highly recommend it to all DMB fans, and especially to those who don't have the appreciation for the band yet.

Dave Matthews Band have always done great live albums (Red Rocks, Luther College) but this album is by far the best. Listener Supported just gets better and better and draws you in for the climactic and fantastic ending with "All Along the Watchtower". Both CDs of this album are well over 60mins, so dont listen to if you have got plans because you wont be able to turn it off. This album contains some great versions of their greatest tracks, such as a 14min version of Two Step which is unbelievable. This album cannot be missed and any true Dave Matthews fan should already own this album. This album also contains some new material such as 'True Reflections' a great song sung by none other than Boyd Tinsley check it out. So in short, BUY IT!

I'm not sure what to think about Listener Supported. I've got all of the studio albums, plus many bootlegs, including those off of this year's tour. These cd's have amazing sound quality, but some of the performance is watered down, and I believe there have been other concerts from this year that would have made a better live release. Because this concert was taped for a truncated PBS telecast, it inevitably was slotted for a live release. I have seen DMB live many times, and this show doesn't rate at all near the top of the band's capablities. There are some very weak songs, ie #36 and True Reflections, that completely lack the characteristic DMB energy. The gospel singers from Stay appear in much of the concert, and their style generally conflicts with the band, except for Stay, and possibly Long Black Veil. There are highlights, all of the jams (Intro-->Pantala Naga Pampa-->, Jimi Thing, Two Step! , a great #41) and The Stone. This cd is great for unexperienced or curious listeners to catch some of the flavour of this year's tour, but for listeners more knowledgable of the band's repretoire, Listener Supported may leave you with a slightly bitter taste.

I would like to comment on the review titled "If you have other live DMB this one's a rerun." In this review "A Music Fan" told us that "Listener Supported" is redundant.

I would like to point out that the album was aimed at fans. DMB fans (like myself) often attend as many concerts as possible (I've been to over 10), we trade shows with other fans (which is legal) and we pine away until he releases another album.

I understand the point that many of the titles appear over and over, but they are different to us. That's what a lot of fans love. We love debating what version of "Two Step" or "Granny" is the best. And that may be why he puts the same songs out over and over. We say things like "Oh...did you hear Boyd's solo on the "X" version of #41?" We love it! And Dave loves us. I realize that I have a biased opinion because I am such a huge fan, but my point is this: The songs on "Listener Supported" appear on other albums, yes. But, they are different to true fans, which is who the album is aimed at. They do not put the same songs out because they have nothing new to play. They do it because we ask them to and it makes us happy.

According to www.dmband.com they are going into the studio in early 2000 to create a new studio album. ...And it has only been 1.5 years since "Before These Crowded Streets," was released. That was all new, too, with the exception of "Halloween."

The reason I like dave so much is because of his fans and his whole underground trading thing. It is exciting to us and it is a real treat to be able to go to the store and buy a live album. I did not have wait for a week for the mail to come from another fan to send me a mediocre copy of a show to keep my addiction satiated. And I didn't have to wait for months for a tour.

Dave has a lot of well-respected friends that respect him, which makes me think he knows what he's doing. Examples are Alanis Morrisette, Santana, and the Rolling Stones who either appeared on DMB albums, or he appeared on theirs.

And I must point out a quote to support my point that "dave does it for the fans." On the Tribute to Johnny Cash in dave's introduction it was said that "he made got his fans the old fashioned way...he EARNED their devotion." Any fan can tell you that that is true, indeed.

I give it five stars because it was for us...the fans!

I have every CD that the band has put out and this is a very impressive recording. They were without gituarist Tim Reynolds for this one but they still managed to put out a gread sound. My favorite tracks are #41, True Reflections and The Stone. This wasnt as good as live at Red Rocks but it still gets 5 stars in my book. A must have for any Matthews fan.

When I got this disc I was familiar with the music from the PBS special, so I knew that it was going to be good, but the stuff that was not on the special blew me away! Granted I could have done without the 'lovely ladies' on #36 but over all this is a must have for any DMB fan. I have a ton of bootlegs and all of the other releases, but this is the one that is in my cd player now. The mixture of the old tunes and the new ones is just perfect. Boyd taking the vocals on 'True Reflections' just shows the future potential of the band...if you are in doubt at all, just trust me on this one, it is worth the money! Besides, who can't get enough of 'Warehouse'?

Here we are with yet another live album installment from the Dave Matthews Band. Don't get me wrong, I think Dave and his band are one of the most talented group of musicians around, but I think it's time for the guys to stop putting out live albums to make their fans happy, and it's time for a new album with new tracks. Perhaps a double cd of new stuff, that would be great. I gave this cd four stars because the music it contains is great. That is one of the most unbelievable versions of Two-Step I have ever heard. There is also one of the shortest versions of Watchtower I have ever heard. The addition of Boyd singing True Reflections was a nice touch as well as the long awaited mass release of Long Black Veil, one of DMB's best songs. The intro on disc one was a nice change to start one of their live cd's and I really enjoyed the version of Don't Drink the Water on this cd. Overall, another really good one from DMB, but I would like to see some new stuff. Oh and one other thing, I don't know about you other fans out there, but I would like to see them do a full length version of Pantala Naga Pampa. I love that song!

I've been a huge Dave fan since "Under the Table...", and while I might be just a little prejudiced here, I definitely loved this CD. It's two hours and twenty minutes of sheer musical bliss, and, even better, it's live. There are tons of standout songs like the first's CD's "Warehouse" and the amazing jam session that evolves from "#41" (my favorite Dave song ever). Even those of you who aren't fans of live music will be impressed with how closely the guys stick to the album versions on some of the more popular songs (ie. "Too Much", "Jimi Thing", "Crash Into Me"). Also really special is the fact that Dave's between-song comments and the roaring crowd are included, which helps you to really get into the "live" experience. But my favorite feature is that there are some really rare tracks on here, such as "Granny" and "Long Black Veil" (on the second CD), that are definitely worth a listen. In conclusion, this is the best live CD I've heard in a long time. Give it a listen! If you're a Dave Matthews fan, it will only reinforce his and the band's sheer brilliance for you, and if you're not, who knows? It may just convert you. I, the listener, completely support it!

You have never really heard Dave Matthews Band until you have heard them live. There is an energy and spirit that surpasses any studio recording they have ever done, regardless of how brilliant it might be. "Listener Supported" is the essential Dave Matthews cd, capturing the best tunes off previously recorded albums, while adding some true gems.

Disc 1 contains some of the best songs from "Before These Crowded Streets" starting with the frantic "Rapunzel" and including a chilling rendition of "The Stone," which absolutely comes to life on this disc. Other highlights are "Crash into Me" with the Dixie Chicken verse added on at the end, something Dave almost always does live.

Disc 2 never once disappoints, from the heart-pounding "Two-Step" to the sweet "Granny" to the climactic version of "Don't Drink the Water." The gem of Disc 2 and perhaps the entire set, however, is the fantastic rendition of Johnny Cash's "Long Black Veil." I have heard numerous covers of this song, but Dave Matthews' version is by far the best. As if the arrangement wasn't enough, Dave gives us a gift by featuring the 'lovely ladies,' who are the true magic of this song.

"Listener Supported" is essential for any Dave Matthews fan and a great way for newer fans to familiarize themselves with his work. It doesn't get much better than this.