First Tour Grade

[YankeesDMB41]

After 1 summer tour, how would you rate Buddy Strong’s performance?

[SeanMH]

I wouldn’t mind if he stuck around for future tours.

[Cscottrun]

He’s skree free. 7/10


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[CDN-DMBfan]

Was really subdued in the first half of the tour. Really picked it up this last half.
I hope he sticks around.

[scrock25]

No thanks.

[BTBaboon]

Buddy is great. He's a breath of fresh air, plays like he actually gives a fuck, and is competent with his instrument.

There's multiple problems with the band/their sound/setlists.

But Buddy ain't the problem at all. I'd love for him to stick around

[ajk316]

I hope Buddy stays around for quite awhile. I’ve wanted some keys back in the mix and have thoroughly enjoyed the energy he brings. (Love the Raven at SPAC where during the intro Rashawn was cueing him on the chords during the intro. Kinda showing he can pick up songs quickly he doesn’t necessarily have down pat.) The band seems refreshed. Sure they started the tour off slower than usual but did anyone think they’d bust out last stop this tour?

Here’s hoping the winter tour stretches it’d legs a little more.

[DMBCardinal]

Voted B+. He was a breath of fresh air and should get better with more time.

[BruceW]

The tour isn't over, so how am I supposed to vote on his performance after 1 summer tour?

[comeandsee41]

Originally Posted by BruceW

The tour isn't over, so how am I supposed to vote on his performance after 1 summer tour?

think alot gonna change in the 3 shows remaining?

[BruceW]

Originally Posted by comeandsee41

think alot gonna change in the 3 shows remaining?

'twas a joke...

[dmbetc]

The beginning of the year I would’ve said 6ish. But he was fantastic at the gorge. He’s really getting combfortable. I’ll say 9.

Edit: so tired, I see we are doing letter system not number. So A-

[TwoStep2888]

love what Buddy brings to the band

[Climb2safety]

What songs do people think of when they say he brings something that presumably wasn’t there before or that he freshens up things that were stale?

I don’t have a super strong opinion on him but in two short shows can’t point to him standing out.

If it’s him playing Boyd’s parts why not just get a violin?

Grade: incomplete

[Madnana]

Originally Posted by Climb2safety

What songs do people think of when they say he brings something that presumably wasn’t there before or that he freshens up things that were stale?

I don’t have a super strong opinion on him but in two short shows can’t point to him standing out.

If it’s him playing Boyd’s parts why not just get a violin?

Grade: incomplete

Check out the intros on Raven & When the World Ends. And the energy he brings to Stand Up, Superstition & TOTS. Or his solos on Two Step & Seek Up.

It's definitely not just him playing Boyd's parts. Actually, it seems like Rashawn is covering most of Boyd's parts now. Buddy brings in something new. Something fresh.

[BTBaboon]

Originally Posted by Climb2safety

What songs do people think of when they say he brings something that presumably wasn’t there before or that he freshens up things that were stale?

I don’t have a super strong opinion on him but in two short shows can’t point to him standing out.

If it’s him playing Boyd’s parts why not just get a violin?

Grade: incomplete

But the bold isn't really happening

Raven is probably exhibit A of what he brings to the table. That song is improved with him on it vs how it sounds in 2016. His sound, with the combination of Tim being WAY lower in the mix and not needing to play over Boyd, has added back a bit of the jazziness that this band has been lacking for basically a decade

[Foreverford05]

Gave a B. Very talented and his effort is unmatched, just held back a bit by knowledge of the material and the sets Dave writes. At this stage effort is all I can really ask out of the live show and this guy brings it.

[Climb2safety]

Originally Posted by Madnana

Check out the intros on Raven & When the World Ends. And the energy he brings to Stand Up, Superstition & TOTS. Or his solos on Two Step & Seek Up.

It's definitely not just him playing Boyd's parts. Actually, it seems like Rashawn is covering most of Boyd's parts now. Buddy brings in something new. Something fresh.

Originally Posted by BTBaboon

But the bold isn't really happening

Raven is probably exhibit A of what he brings to the table. That song is improved with him on it vs how it sounds in 2016. His sound, with the combination of Tim being WAY lower in the mix and not needing to play over Boyd, has added back a bit of the jazziness that this band has been lacking for basically a decade

Cool. I’ll check that out. I did notice Rashawn playing the violin fills along with Tim.

[sheldonlevene]

Buddy's good...Buddy can stay.

[BTBaboon]

Originally Posted by Climb2safety

Cool. I’ll check that out. I did notice Rashawn playing the violin fills along with Tim.

Check this one out (I liked Gorge's better, but you'll get the idea): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgsWthsCSKI

[CatchThePhoenix]

Definitely an A. He's a tremendous asset and an exceptional player. It may not be congruent with Big 3-era DMB, but I enjoy that the band has evolved their sound. Hope that Buddy sticks around.

[Koumoulas]

Buddy is the best

[sheldonlevene]

Also, as someone who appreciates sound, has a fairly discerning ear, but simultaneously knows nothing about mixing a concert - I would be interested to see how Tim's levels were actually adjusted this year.

I'm hearing/reading a lot of Tim is lower this year...but I'm inclined to thing it's just a perceived thing given that Buddy is more or less constantly playing chord stuff on what was otherwise a predominately 1 instrument side of the stage in prior years. BT played his written parts certainly, but he was never playing unique "fill" passages as Buddy and Tim both do well.

[Utopia]

The unfortunate part of this poll is that people (hence the 4 ignorant people that rated him below a C) will rate him as he relates to the band, or whether or not they want him to perform with them as opposed to his actual talent. It's inevitable when conducting a poll like this. Talent-wise, I think he deserves an A. That's aside from whether or not I think he should be performing with them. (and for the record, I do)