Published July 25, 2002, in issue #25 of The Hook

BY BILL RAMSEY

Noisy, multicultural, singer-songwriter makes Life's top rock list

Life magazine's recent Rock & Roll at 50, a special publication of the "Top 100 Rock and Rollers of All Time," lists the Dave Matthews Band at No. 62. "Many dynamics of 1990s rock noise, multiculturalism, a return of the singer-songwriter ethos were on display whenever DMB took the stage," the entry reads. "Matthews, South African born and New York bred [no mention of Charlottesville], concocted jazzy world rock 'n' roll, reeds and violins decorating his propulsive songs. Theretofore famous for thrashing away at his acoustic guitar, he finally plugged in on last year's Everyday."

Harris tapped as opening act for late summer tour stops

Charlottesville's acclaimed bluesman Corey Harris and his band, The 5 X 5, will open five shows for DMB from August 26-September 3. The band's tour, which began April 4 in Washington, D.C., is scheduled to conclude on September 8 in George, Washington.

Harshest pan o' the season

In a review that begins by saying Dave looks "like a lawn care specialist" and sings "like a heartsick Muppet," a revew in the July 17 Washington Post concludes: "As song after song blends into a dense mush, it becomes apparent that Matthews should have gone with his first instinct and kept Busted Stuff, in whatever broken form, on the shelf."

Where's my stuff?

If you're a new or renewing member of the 80,000-member Warehouse fan club, you might be wondering where the promised goodies are. Fear not, a Warehouse spokesman tells DMBeat the 2002 packages began shipping this month. "We apologize for the wait," the rep reports.

Live and legal at Folsom Field: Open Up the Curtains

Seeking an encore of 2001's top-selling live album, Live In Chicago 12.19.98, RCA will release this fall the fourth in its Dave Matthews Band legal bootleg series, Open Up the Curtains. Recorded on July 11, 2001, at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado, Curtains features such concert staples such as "Don't Drink the Water" and "All Along the Watchtower" along with "When the World Ends" and "I Did It" from Everyday. "Digging a Ditch," "Big Eyed Fish," and "Bartender" are there from Busted Stuff.

Summer so far: No. 5 in $$

Concert industry watcher Pollstar has released its January-June report on the nation's top-grossing tours: DMB rounds out the top five earners. DMB was the fourth highest-grossing touring act of 2001.

"Wings" across America

As is his practice, Matthews has been road-testing a new a song that has never been played live before: "Loving Wings," a love ballad said to be along the lines of "Satellite." The song can be found at dmbrr.com/listen.html.

DMB leaps to No. 24 on Forbes "power list"

Leaping more than half way towards the top of Forbes magazine's annual "Celebrity 100," DMB jumps from its mid-50s rating last year to No. 24 this year, ahead of such luminaries as Katie Couric. No. 1? Britney Spears, silly.

Bill Ramsey

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