Morrison – Unfortunately for the Dave Matthews Band, a history of well-received shows at Red Rocks – and the resulting merchandising of special-edition CDs and DVDs – will forever keep the soft-rockers from simply performing at the storied venue.
A rare, mammoth four-night stand at Red Rocks that kicked off Friday and continues through Monday’s Hurricane Katrina benefit is more than just a series of sold-out shows. These are events, expectations, future live CD and DVD sales. Very little, it seems, is left for the immediate performance.
Are these routine tour stops or philanthropic fundraisers? Live performances or DVD recordings? Is the band the same old hit-ridden jam-pop outfit or a sedate one edging further toward adult contemporary?
After the first night, the bandleader himself seemed caught in the headlights, perhaps unsure what the concerts might mean.
Matthews, often bouncy and active in previous shows at Red Rocks and Folsom Field, was about as expressive physically, meandering around the stage, as he was verbally, mumbling incoherent pleasantries into the mic. Maybe he was self-conscious before the video cameras. Or maybe on the road to the adult-contemporary market, Matthews is caught between the moon and New York City.
One thing is certain: The Colorado crowds that snatched up every seat for all four nights, and have since proceeded to hawk them on eBay for up to $1,000, will eat up anything Dave throws out.
These are fans who, despite an inevitable future recording of the show – in some state-of- the-art medium, no doubt – still wear hats with microphones attached for their own personal recordings.
But the crowd quickly disappeared into side conversations as soon as Dave strayed from the megahits. “Say Goodbye,” a song nearly without melody, and most everything from the new “Stand Up” album challenged the attention span and had fans chatting about how awesome it’ll be when the band finally plays “Ants Marching.”
For starving fans, the band finally hit stride after two hours and kicked into the expected popular program. “So Much to Say,” “Satellite,” “Too Much,” and the best of the new album, “Old Dirt Hill,” highlighted the stretch run.
But sucking the life out of the Zombies for a cover of “Time of the Season” made about as much sense as the Non-Intoxicating Hemp Sandwich for sale near the visitors center. And some repetitive solos slowed the show to a snail’s crawl.
However, violinist Boyd Tinsley saved Dave at least twice, with spirited fiddle jams that drew him to dance with each member of the band and somehow bang his head with an instrument under his chin.
But for the sake of the die- hards, hopefully a future DVD release of the four strung-together shows will be edited down to just the songs that mattered.
Staff writer Nick Groke can be reached at 303-820-1960 or ngroke@denverpost.com.
