Live at Luther College [LIVE]

Tim Reynolds, Dave Matthews Band

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 19, 1999)
• Original Release Date: January 19, 1999
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Live
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B00000DFUB
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (504 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,648 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #2 in	Music > Rock > Live Albums > Rock Guitarists
  #2 in	Music > Rock > Live Albums > Jam Bands
  #23 in	Music > Rock > Jam Bands > Rock Jam Bands

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Unplugged and set apart from his bandmates, Dave Matthews is transformed from a fusion rocker to something of a fusion folkie. Indeed, this two-disc, two-man concert recording (cut in Iowa in the winter of 1996 and shelved for nearly three years) posits the South African-born bandleader less as a Blues Traveler fellow traveler than a dexterous, jazz-inflected minstrel in the tradition of Tim and Jeff Buckley, Terry Callier, and Ellen McIlwaine. As with those considerably less-successful performers, multiplatinum Matthews is enticed to soar ever higher by his considerable vocal prowess. Ultimately, Matthews takes his tunes in dizzying directions because he can! All those exhibitions of elasticity have earned Matthews disdain in less-is-more circles. Here, however, more than ably complemented by frequent DMB guest and fellow Charlottesville, Virginia, denizen Tim Reynolds, Matthews virtually bursts through 23 tunes that leave his audience wanting more. They needn't worry: even his worst critics wouldn't accuse Matthews of being stingy when it comes to music. --Steven Stolder

Entertainment Weekly

It's all very pleasant, but unless Dave's your fave rave, it's best to wait for his next album of new material.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's good to be recorded in front of a live studio audience, December 4, 2000

By	tropic_of_criticism - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Hearing this album, I only wish I had been live at Luther College.

There's a spirit of playfulness and genuine fun about the performers which easily translates onto the CD and lets the listener know that these guys have the greatest jobs on the planet. You can tell, especially on tracks like "Little Thing" and "Ants Marching", that they genuinely love what they do. Not only do they frequently joke with the audience, but they take their music along decidedly frisky pathways. Their music soars with an improvisational ease in which Dave Matthew's voice is as elastic as Tim Reynold's guitar.

I've read in other reviews that this album is, perhaps, only for Dave Matthews fans, but I would have to disagree. This is a fine album to start one's appreciation of Matthews. The connection they were obviously able to make with the listeners at Luther College is infectious: you can't help but like performers who were so entirely adored by their audience.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that they're able to play like the devil harboring a speed habit, either.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a big DMB fan, but this set is fantastic!, September 13, 2005

By	B. Jorgensen "beware of the leopard" (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Having lived with two DMB fans, one of whom virtually worships the man and his band, I have been exposed to the vast majority of their tunes. I think they're talented, but between Dave's somewhat indecipherable vocals and the sometimes over-the-top instrumentation, I find that whatever message they're trying to convey often gets buried.

That being said, "Live at Luther College" is most definitely one (or two, if a two-disc set can't count as one) of the ten recordings I'd want with me if I were stranded on a desert island.

I'd give all but maybe one or two songs a 5-star rating. Even the "Christmas Song," which, subject-wise, isn't exactly my cup of tea, is just too perfectly executed to deny.

There are thousands of recordings that use electric guitar and of which I'm a huge fan, but if I had to choose, I prefer the purity of acoustic guitar. The use of acoustic guitars alone gives this set a huge edge.

And Tim Reynolds is a virtuoso--probably as technically gifted as many respected classical guitarists, but with an equally impeccable ability to reinvent each of Dave's songs so that they have every bit as much groove, humor, emotion, and force (and often more) as they did with his full band backing him up. Dave isn't half-bad either.

And while they take their guitars to the very limits of unplugged rock, Dave's voice is still able to shine through clearly, and I can actually understand what he's saying more often than not (I've actually memorized most of the album, although there are some areas where I still mumble incoherent phrases in conjunction with what seems to be coming out of Dave's mouth).

Virtually all of the power and emotion is generated by the musicians themselves, not by special effects or gadgets, and you can really feel what a memorable experience it must have been to attend that show.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars YOU CANT FIND A BETTER CD....EVER!, January 14, 2000

By	Scott J Capodice (APO, AE United States) - See all my reviews

Untill about a year ago I really didnt know any of Dave's music. But I was introduced to Dave's music because I am an avid guitar player. I have almost all of Dave's cds now but this one by far is the one that I always find my self listening to. Dave's talent combined with Tim Reynolds' is just something that will just leave you speechless. And Tim Reynolds performance was unsurpassed by anyone I have ever heard. When you listen to this cd you can just float on the music and let it take you to a place that is so peaceful. But then again it can get you excited. This cd is a great cd for any mood you may be in. I listen to this cd many times a day. I really dont know why I have bought any other cds after I got this one. The performance by these two great musicians should be recognized widely which it is not. I urge you to buy this cd. You will not regret it, I PROMISE! And when you have experienced how great it is, share it with a friend and spread the word so one day these two wonderful musicians will receive the credit they deserve. Keep up the great work Dave and Tim!