Rocking Out on the Net

I'm listening to The AOL Concert for Schools live from the Great Lawn in Central Park (which I know to be designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux). The performer? None other than DAVE MATTHEWS BAND! The show is rocking, and I wish very much to be there to see it (as well as to spend time with a special someone I know in that area). Here is the setlist:

Onstage 7:19 pm EDT
(intro jam)
Don't Drink The Water
So Much To Say
-->Anyone Seen The Bridge
-->Too Much
Granny
Crush
When The World Ends
Dancing Nancies (rambling intro)
-->Warehouse (Stop Time intro)
Ants Marching
Rhyme & Reason
Two Step
Help Myself
Cortez the Killer (duet with Warren Haynes)
Jimi Thing (NYC scat/Stop Children version)
What Would You Say
Where Are You Going
All Along The Watchtower
encore
Grey Street
What You Are (passion intro)
Stay (Wasting Time)

I rebuffered durring "Granny," but I can say it was a very solid show until "Crush" when 'solid' fell far short. Then Dave did this great 5 second vocal solo during "World" that was truly new and very impressive. "Nancies" had reasonably good introductory Ramble and impressive use of back-up vocals. Warehouse, the classic Nancy-chaser (so to speak) was equally impressive, if not more so; almost to the end of the song, the band kicked it into overdrive and did an unusally fast (salsa?) tempo during LeRoi's solo. The next two songs were well exexuted, although unremarkable. "Two Step" was well done, although the final moments were a little on the tame side. I'm not quite sure what to think of the Dave/Warren duet; I'll know better after getting this show on CD. Warren's presence was much appreciated, however, on the MOST TOTALLY tricked-out version of "Jimi Thing" ever! "WWYS" popped up, I felt sure that the main set had reached its end, but behold! "Where Are You Going." It couldn't be the closer...so what next? The classic. The Bob Dylan masterpiece "All Along The Watchtower," performed with precision and grace starting with Stefan's fabulous steel guitar intro (with the national anthem thrown in for good measure). This is undoubtedly the song which most greatly showcased Boyd's mastery of the electic violin. It wasn't really able to get any better, but the encore sealed the deal. "Grey Street" was spot-on, and "What You Are" (my favorite Everyday song) is perhaps the perfect closer, but this time it was just one more stop along the way. Dave and all stuck around and turned in a killer performance of "Stay" making us all wish we could do just that. In review: The band produced a jaw-dropping show that was the perfect balance between boldness and refinement. The show earns four stars.

That's it for me. If you want more review (from people actually at the show, perhaps) head on over to the show's page at nancies.org by clicking here.