Back to the basics with Matthews and Reynolds

by Joe Elliott perspectiveseditor

Turning something little into a dream is probably the way Dave Matthews never thought things would tum out, corning from the Charlottesville, Va. area as a small-time bartender. Matthews was able to put together a small, local band, which soon became a national sensation. With such albums as "Recently," "Under the Table and Dreaming" and "Before These Crowded Streets," Matthews and company have been able to become one of the biggest acts in the country.

Dave Matthews Band is not a come-and-go band like most bands of our generation, but a band that has truly made a name in the business. Matthews, in the past four years, has slammed heads with bands like Korn and Pearl Jam and truly leads the way of grooving music.

Even with all the attention and hard work Matthews has put in, he still finds the time to go out and have a good time. In Matthews' most recent album, "Live at Luther College," he teams up with guitarist Tim Reynolds to put together a live acoustic album. Showing that music is more than jumping around and waving a guitar in the air, Matthews and Reynolds are able to convert such hits as "Tripping Billies," "Lover Lay Down" and "What Would You Say" into some sweet, smooth groves.

The duo is able to ease the crowd and convey what the music is really all about, and that is enjoyable. The crowd at Luther College in Iowa almost seems to fall into a trance as Matthews sings them his lullabies and Reynolds plays his sweet cords that almost seem to come from a symphony. Just when the crowd seems to fall off into another world, Matthews changes his tone and brings the eager fans back safely to Iowa.

I truly enjoy this album because of the way it is presented. It is not a whole bunch of Matthews' love songs; it is almost every song that Matthews has put out. Well, at least half of them.

Although Matthews does choose to play some of the more radio-based songs like "Crash" and "Ants Marching," he still plays some of the songs that one would only hear while in concert or at home.

It is no surprise to me that Matthews is spending his free time playing music. In fact, Matthews and Reynolds have been playing together on the side for the past couple of years, going on winter break to select colleges around the country, playing small venues

News and Notes

The Poetry Vortex will be returning to the Red Cloud Coffeehouse on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 8 p.m.

If Valentine's Day is not your thing, why not go to the Balcony at the Trocadero Theatre, located at 1003 Arch Street in Philadelphia, on Sunday, February 14? The Balcony will be presenting an "AntiValentine's Day" beginning at 8 p.m. The classic film "My Bloody Valentine" will be featured. Admission is free but you must be 21 or older to enter.

1 The following movies will be opening on Friday, February 12:

• "Blast from the Past," starring Brendan Fraser and Alicia Silverstone;

• "Message in a Bottle," starring Kevin Costner, Robin Wright Penn and Paul Newman; and doing one important thing, having fun.

• The comedy "My Favorite Martian;' starring Jeff Daniels.

• Call (215) 222-FILM for locations and showtimes.

I think that the album "Live at Luther College" is probably one of Matthews' best albums yet, although he does miss the smooth beats of drummer Carter Beauford and the plucks and blows of sax player Leroi Moore, bass player Stefan Lessard and, last but not least, Boyd Tinsley on the violin. If it were not for the Dave Matthews Band's "Live at Red Rocks" album, this would definitely be one of the better albums put out by Matthews, probably because it has the classics that were put together in the first couple of years. "Live at Luther College" is definitely a go-out-and-listen-to album.

(out of a possible four stars)

TheEdge. 89.1

WYBF-FM

Cahrini College

Weekly Spotlight

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Tickets for the Black Crowes and the Offspring shows will be given away during the week of Feb. 14-20.

• Tune in to the Edge for the live broadcast of the men's and women's basketball game Saturday, Feb. 13. Game time is 8 p.m.

Top Ten Albums

1. The Cardigans "Gran Turismo"

2. The Eels "Electro-shock Blues"

3. The Roots "You Got Me"

4. Rusted Root "Rusted Root''

5. Chef Aid:South Park Album

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6. Korn "Follow the Leader"

7.Beck "Mutations"

8. Cypress Hill "IV"

9. Lagwagon "Let's Talk about Feelings"

1O.Ani Di Franco "Up, Up, Up, Up, Up, Up"