Quote:
Originally Posted by 42graystreet
Matt - you brought up the point that Buddy's introduction to the band isn't (or shouldn't?) be the reason that there is a relative lack in set list variety. However, I just heard on the DMB Sirius channel an interview snippet with Buddy where he says that prior to the tour kicking off he learned about 30 songs and that it's been very hectic for him because each day in rehearsal the band will add another song or two.
Doesn't this provide evidence that Dave is in fact reducing set list variety to help ease Buddy into the tour?
|
See below.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DC Greg
That doesn't make much sense to me. Are they really demanding that exacting level of a performance from him for every note he plays on every song? Can't they just tell him what key the song is in and let the dude figure it out? It's not even like the piano has a defined part in 90% of DMB songs, so what is there for him to mess up?
I'd personally love to hear them actually jam more on stage and take chances. It would 1000 times better to hear a JTR with some flubs here and there than to hear yet another polished Louisiana Bayou, in my opinion.
|
DC Greg makes my point, here. What "parts" are they teaching him? There are basically zero DMB songs that have a piano "part" or even rely on one for any sort of main melody. Joe made the point on the podcast that even Boyd's parts are largely being taken over by the (ugh) horn section.
So, to further push our position of "these guys are professionals," and to DC Greg's point about just giving Buddy the key of the tune and letting him add as he sees fit...I'm not buying the Buddy excuse at all as a reason for the lack of variety. Maybe they like playing together in an intimate setting, amongst themselves, not in front of a crowd. But nothing on stage shows me that they're getting anything out of "practicing more than they ever have." Please.
Edit: Greg also makes a fantastic point re: an unpolished JTR vs. pitch perfect Bayou. This band no longer takes risks on stage. Good or bad, whether it's fear or lack of desire, if they aren't in the groove on something, they won't play it. Which only adds to the milquetoast.