Why no new jams?

[ryanflick3]

I think part of the problem with the seemingly stale setlists, is that all the songs are being played the same night after night. I was looking at song times on DMB Almanac and most songs are clocking in around 6 minutes or so. I'm not into jambands, and I've never considered DMB a jam band because they don't noodle endlessly with no point, but their jams had direction and seemed to change and morph over tours.

I'd say since 2010, this band has forgotten how to experiment on stage. I think it's very obvious with this acoustic set. Acoustic instruments playing old songs does not make them fresh. They don't change tempos, add parts, add harmonies etc... I was hoping the acoustic set would really allow for some experimentation and risks from the band. You can hardly tell a difference though on tapes except for Tim's playing and a laid back Carter on percussion. But even Two Step is played the same, just shorter with no jam, which is the best part of that song live.

I think Lying in the Hands of God, Snow Outside and maybe Rooftop are the only examples I can think of that new songs have been improvised on. But they all have become predictable at this point.

I think creativity is lacking. I don't think it's intentional. I don't think they are mailing it in. I think this band is in a bit of a rut, which is why they chose the 2 sets this year. But adding Sledgehammer back into the mix is really confusing considering that song was a bust in 2008. Not exactly a creative idea if you ask me. Why not learn a new cover?


I'd like to see Drunken Soldier jammed out a bit. I'd like to see Broken Things, Shotgun, Dreaming Tree, Pig, even Shake Me like A Monkey thrown into the acoustic setting and taken some risks on. If they played Jimi Thing acoustic even!!

Also, Dave is really the only one who doesn't need to change a thing during these acoustic sets. Perhaps that's part of the problem... He's not being forced to take risks so he doesn't really have to change anything. Just listen to Tim and Carter play differently.

[moccasin]

Good points OP, but not sure we needed another thread.

[raven'minaret]

I may differ from most, but I'd rather hear three 6 minute songs than an 18 minute long Jimi Thing.

[ryguy637]

Sledgehammer isnt a bust. However, would be cool to hear something different. And I think they do play two step differently enough to be considered a tad refreshing.

[420th jimi]

I never considered Sledgehammer to be a bust. I think the band does a great cover of it and it is smoking. Would I like to see another new jam? For sure but Sledgehammer is such a great tune and an awesome cover.

[laststopdmb]

I think I know what you mean but i disagree slightly. Crush keeps getting better everytime i hear it. It may be the best song they have been playing all summer which is why they may be playing it so much. Ymdt is also getting better though its hit or miss. Pelham and atl it was average but that jacksonville version was insane. So Right is also evolving a bit. After that, other than the acoustic set the songs have just been the same. I havent heard the stone from wpb but it clocks in at almost 14 min. I need to hear that.

[jray1823]

Because when it's good, people bitch about it. Lying in the hands of God and 21 minute #41's for examples.

It takes time to develop a jam and the DMB audience has no fucking patience

[KAK1154]

OP has a good point. If you'll allow me to graft my own opinion onto it, I don't think he's necessarily talking about the length of the songs. It more about the structure.

They used to play around with different structures and song components. Remember how many times Two Step has changed over the years? And Jimi Thing? But they've remained the same for several years now, which makes them more stale.

Other than adding that breakdown in Rooftop, when is the last time a song's structure has been changed? (I'm not talking about lengthening a solo section.) Ok, so #41 has dropped the sax solo, they threw in a little slowdown in the middle of Two Step. I can't think of much else.

[crb60]

Originally Posted by raven'minaret

I may differ from most, but I'd rather hear three 6 minute songs than an 18 minute long Jimi Thing.

i always say this. 20 minute jimi, two step, seek up and 41s got to be too much. those are perfect in the 10-12 min range imo.

[jray1823]

Originally Posted by crb60

i always say this. 20 minute jimi, two step, seek up and 41s got to be too much. those are perfect in the 10-12 min range imo.

This is where I think our fan base doesn't really get it a little. The 10-12 min range jimi, two steps, seek ups, and 41s, WILL always be relatively the same. They might be good everytime, but they will never be great.

Why i want the 20 minute versions is because it gives the band time to take chances. It might suck 9 out of 10 times, but 1 of those 10 times the band is gonna get on the same page and make something unique and beautiful that you won't get in any other version of that song. It is shit like that that keeps me coming to shows.

[laststopdmb]

Originally Posted by jray1823

This is where I think our fan base doesn't really get it a little. The 10-12 min range jimi, two steps, seek ups, and 41s, WILL always be relatively the same. They might be good everytime, but they will never be great.

Why i want the 20 minute versions is because it gives the band time to take chances. It might suck 9 out of 10 times, but 1 of those 10 times the band is gonna get on the same page and make something unique and beautiful that you won't get in any other version of that song. It is shit like that that keeps me coming to shows.

I agree with you 110%. The band doesnt always click
During these long songs all the time but when they do you know it and its really special. I can think of several examples. The Bartender from Charlotte 2012 was without a doubt the best version ive ever heard. Two Step from WPB 2013 to close out the weekend was hands down the best two step ive ever heard. Jimi Thing from vegas 2009 was so insane carter jumped from hit kit to fist bump tim. On the otherside the lithog from tampa 2012 was absolute torture on my ears & i started hating that song until wpb 2013 with carlos malta. I can keep going but i will always prefer the longer versions with the possibilities of what could happen.

[ramiro24]

the only song that really is fantastic the longer it goes honestly is two step. they way they were jamming the hell out of that and adding that overflow outro that actually had more of a structure and different jam in itself was awesome. listen to the version from centennial park last spring and even alpine and why they did when they accidentally hit the higher ground in camden. that needs to come back to the electric set.

[hailtopitt]

Originally Posted by ramiro24

the only song that really is fantastic the longer it goes honestly is two step. they way they were jamming the hell out of that and adding that overflow outro that actually had more of a structure and different jam in itself was awesome. listen to the version from centennial park last spring and even alpine and why they did when they accidentally hit the higher ground in camden. that needs to come back to the electric set.

agree 100%

two step electric is great

[crashintonickdm]

Originally Posted by jray1823

Because when it's good, people bitch about it. Lying in the hands of God and 21 minute #41's for examples.

It takes time to develop a jam and the DMB audience has no fucking patience

No DMB song should go over 20 minutes

Those 08-10 41s were brutal. Hands of god went no where and that's why people disliked it.

[ramiro24]

Originally Posted by crashintonickdm

No DMB song should go over 20 minutes

Those 08-10 41s were brutal. Hands of god went no where and that's why people disliked it.

yup agreed but seek up could be solid if it went longer. i almost feel shorted if two step goes short to be honest.

[artiej1120]

The LITHOG from the Randall's Caravan with the reggae style jam was fantastic

[ryanflick3]

Originally Posted by KAK1154

OP has a good point. If you'll allow me to graft my own opinion onto it, I don't think he's necessarily talking about the length of the songs. It more about the structure.

They used to play around with different structures and song components. Remember how many times Two Step has changed over the years? And Jimi Thing? But they've remained the same for several years now, which makes them more stale.

Other than adding that breakdown in Rooftop, when is the last time a song's structure has been changed? (I'm not talking about lengthening a solo section.) Ok, so #41 has dropped the sax solo, they threw in a little slowdown in the middle of Two Step. I can't think of much else.

You get it! I don't want long pointless jams like lithog. I just want the songs to sound fresh. Like the cool jane they do with typical, recently the end of ants. Go that direction!!

[daveshookme]

so right got fresher this year. sounds like satellite did too, but id have to go back and listen to years past