Customer Reviews

Live at Piedmont Park

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The sound quality of the recording of this show turned out fantastic!This was truly an awesome show. It was a "green" show that took place in Atlanta, Georgia to promote environmental awareness (there was absolutely NO parking provided... public transportation was encouraged), and was set in Piedmont Park. Unfortunately, what's not included in the recording is the Allman Brothers set that was played before DMB went on. But at least the cover of "Melissa" featuring Greg Allman and the version of "What Would You Say?" featuring Warren Haynes with his fantastic guitar work are included. I must say this was one of the best shows I've ever been to, and I'm so glad they decided to record and release it. There was definately a nostalgic feel for the older crowd (and some of us youngsters who grew up listening to classic rock with their parents) getting to see the Allman Brothers play, which was cool because they used to play in Piedmont Park for free when they were just getting started. Great show, awesome bands... wonderful experience.

You hear a lot of sounds never before played on an album they have released. I was at this concert and was blown away as I should be. The sound on the disc is good but not the best. Central Park had a better richness to it. Don't really know why but thats coming from a very picky person. Overall it is a wonderful album. Sweet Melissa with Gregg Allman and Dave Matthews Band is an instant classic also.

Dave Matthews never ceases to amaze, no matter how many times you hear a song its never the same, a master of variation and versatility. He has become an institution but has not been tainted by the commercial and financial pressures of Superstars.
This DVD epitomizes the essence of the band and again proves that DMB are one of the best live acts in the world.
A nice touching moment when Greg Allman is brought on for a duet with Dave.

An excellent DVD worthy of a place in anyones collection.

DMB have far more superior live albums out there, Central Park comes to mind. The setlist is great on this double live set. The band seems to be enjoying playing, and the energy levels are up there, however the sound board let's them down on this recording.

I would recommend picking this up, if you are a die hard DMB fan. For the casual listener, this is more than adequate. For the die hard fan, the sound flaws will detract from the music.

Notice how some of those raving reviews are written by people who claim to have been at the concert? I'm sure it was a great concert in person, but it doesn't really come through on record for the rest of us.

Truth be told, it's not a great live record, especially compared to the fantastic Central Park Concert or Live in Chicago. Much of the setlist relies on old favorites, like (yet another version of) Ants Marching, Two Step, One Sweet World, etc. etc. The problem with the entire record is Matthews' vocals. For longtime fans who've noticed and appreciated how far his vocal stylings have come - remember that nasal whine from the mid-to-late '90s? - they will surely be disappointed by his sheer laziness here. In all honesty, his vocals sounds awful, with half of the verses sounding like some strange kind of warble. The recording itself is pretty good (though it can't compare to the flawless sound of Weekend on the Rocks) besides Boyd Tinsley's violins - they sound out of tune. Whether that's him or the recording, I dunno - some songs are particularly off regardless.

What's so frustrating about these little quirks is inclusion of some newer and rarer songs, which hampered my enjoyment of them somewhat. Three new songs make their record debut here - "Eh Hee", "#27", and "Cornbread." I personally preferred the solo version of "Eh Hee" released through iTunes, but this one is suitable, and is an interesting tune nonetheless. "#27" is my favorite of DMB's new tracks, a dark little tune with some great lyrics. "Cornbread" is also different, and probably an acquired taste, but hey - new DMB material. Solid enough intro to some new material. Also included is the rarity "The Dreaming Tree" - too bad it's bogged down with a seemingly-endless boring jam. Some other fun stuff includes Warren Haynes on "What Would You Say" and Greg Allman on "Melissa." Good stuff, probably the highlight of the record.

But everything else is just ho-hum versions of songs that be heard better elsewhere. Better versions of "Two Step", "Don't Drink the Water", "So Much To Say-Too Much", "Warehouse", "Stay (Wasting Time)", "All Along the Watchtower", and "Grey Street" can all be found on the Central Park Concert. 4 better versions of "Lousiana Bayou" can be found on Weekend on the Rocks. In fact, a lot of these songs have better many better versions out there, either on retail releases or the band's online-only Live Trax series.

Hardcore fans like myself will buy this release anyway. Casual fans, go get The Central Park Concert. If you're somewhere in between... well, go download the rarities and new songs. Skip the rest of the album.

this album reminds me of how much i miss leroi moore(the audience sings him happy birthday after "one sweet world"). aside from that, the band is very energetic throughout this entire concert. it is heard through the instrument playing and dave's vocals. dave is hilarious on this album(he says something after nearly every song on the first disc. great moments). highlights for me are "cornbread," "you might die trying"(this version gives me goosebumps due to dave's raw emotion), "#27"(great new song), "louisiana bayou"(this song is heard often, but there is something about this version that i like), "the dreaming tree"(i like this live version better than the studio version. the guitar riff is great), "eh hee"(i love this version of the song. it has a moody feel), "so much to say/anyone seen the bridge/too much"(this album has the best version of these string of songs that i have heard. non-stop high energy), "all along the watchtower"(this version is awesome), and "ants marching." the second disc of this album never gets old for me. it has just great uplifting energy. well worth the purchase.

The CD was new as promised. Shipping was super fast. I would definately buy from this company again.

Good cd. Probably better, if you were there. Whenever I see them , they are astronomical! I like live sets produced slightly more on the raw side. Good thing those are out there too!

One of the best live set lists for Dave Matthews Band. Several of his classics have been reworked with new intros or endings; there are 4 or 5 "new" titles that I don't believe have been recorded previously; and I believe it is the last recorded performance that includes LeRoy Moore.

There are some really great songs on here. I like the Central Park concert as well, and that may be a better choice for some fans. But if you already have that and wand more great Dave, I don't think you'll be disappointed in this at all.