Caravan Countdown- Said The Joker To The Thief

What better way to end the Countdown to DMB Caravan than with some covers from Dave Matthews Band?  Dave Matthews Band has been touring for over 20 years.  In that time their own songs have evolved and changed over time.  Short studio songs have turned into epic live jams. Early songs have become part of current songs.  A great perk of being a fan of the Dave Matthews Band is that no two shows are exactly the same.

An additional aspect to Dave Matthews Band shows are the covers the band has been known to pull out of their hat.  Over 20 years the band has added hundreds of songs to their cover repertoire.  No genre or artist is off limits, and every cover is masterfully done.  Below are just a few favorites!

Probably the most well known cover Dave Matthews Band plays is Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower"  This song has been a live staple from the beginning of the band, and the result is probably the best version since Jimi Hendrix covered Watchtower in the 60's.  Check out Dave Matthews Band playing "All Along the Watchtower" with a bit of "Stairway to Heaven".

Neil Young has always been an influence on Dave Matthews.  In recent years "The Needle and the Damage Done" has made its way into Dave Matthews Band shows.  Below is a cover of another Neil Young song, "Cortez the Killer" featuring Warren Haynes.  The Warren Haynes band will be in Atlantic City this weekend, which makes it a possibility that this song will find it's way into a set.

One more?  Alright!  A cover that has become a crowd favorite in the last couple years is the Talking Heads' "Burning Down the House".  This gets the crowd going every time.  Here's a truncated version featuring Trombone Shorty and Orleans Ave at the NFL Kickoff party.

Hope you enjoyed the covers and all of Caravan Countdown Week!  There are three more DMB Caravan stops this summer, so it's not too late to grab your tickets and enjoy some music.  I'm off to Atlantic City!  Reviews start on Monday!

Caravan Countdown- The Head and The Heart: I Get Lost In My Mind

Back in March I featured The Head and The Heart and their song "Down In The Valley".  At the time I was just beginning to listen to the band.  Well, I've been listening ever since.  I keep reading outstanding reviews of their live shows from SXSW and Bonnaroo.  So when I found out they'd be playing DMB Caravan, naturally, I got excited.  The Head and the Heart take the stage Friday afternoon, and are the first band I'm really looking forward to seeing.

Here they are performing "Lost In My Mind" for KEXP.

Can't make it to DMB Caravan?  Catch The Head and the Heart some other time this summer.  They'll be touring Europe and then returning stateside in July.  Find the dates here.

Caravan Countdown- Punch Brothers: Makes The Band Sound Better

Chris Thile, formally of Nickel Creek, is a world renowned mandolin player and artist.  In 2006 he formed his current Bluegrass band, Punch Brothers.  Throughout all the Dave Matthews Band concerts I've been to, the band has always invited a wide variety of artists to join them on tour.  Many bands that I listen to frequently are bands that I first heard opening for Dave Matthews Band.  At the Caravan this weekend there are bands representing Reggae, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Funk, Folk, Blues, and Bluegrass.

Just over a year ago Punch Brothers released their latest album, Antifogmatic.  I think a lot of young music listeners overlook bluegrass.  I, myself, just started listening in the last year and a half.  However, it's hard to ignore the energy from Punch Brothers provide in this performance of "Rye Whiskey"!



Learn more about Punch Brothers' at their website!

Caravan Countdown- Dawes: You As A Sunset

One of the bands I'm most looking forward to seeing this weekend, is Dawes.  Dawes is one of those bands I've heard about, but never took the time to explore.  I have a feeling I'm going to regret that.  Dawes was a late addition to the DMB Caravan lineup.  I've seen them all over Daytrotter.  When researching some of the bands, Dawes was an immediate hit.  They sound like they belong in the 70's pop or singer/songwriter movement.

Dawes just released their second full length album, Nothing Is Wrong, just two weeks ago.  However the song that hooked me comes from their debut album North Hills.  Here's Dawes performing, "Love Is All I Am".  The lyrics blow me away!  Hope you enjoy!

I really like the future of this band.  I wish I had taken the time to explore their music earlier.  Take a look at their website.  You can find their new album there as well as on itunes and other music outlets!

Caravan Countdown- Bobby Long: The Girls Up Here Sure Look Swell

Before the Caravan even starts, it has already introduced me to new music.  While checking out some of the artists that will be playing in Atlantic City, I came across Bobby Long.  Just a couple clicks on youtube and I found a new artist to enjoy.

Long is a British singer/songwriter currently signed to Dave Matthews' ATO records.  While touring England with other young musicians Bobby Long met Robert Pattinson (of Twilight fame).  "Let Me Sign" a song featured in the film was co-written by Bobby Long.  In February of this year he released his first full length album A Winter Tale.

Here's Bobby Long performing "Dead & Done" off his debut release.

More from Bobby Long!

Caravan Countdown- Guster: Fiction's Where Genius Lies

Guster formed way back in 1991.  It's hard to believe that was 20 years ago.  Over time they've gathered a steady following of fans.  Part of their popularity can be attributed to their taping policy, allowing fans to tape, trade, and spread live shows throughout the taping community.  Similar policies used by bands like The Greatful Dead and Dave Matthews Band allow groups develop a loyal grassroots following.

Guster will be playing the Atlantic Stage next Saturday at DMB caravan.  I've never seen them live, and they're one of my friend Jan's favorite bands, so they'll absolutely be on our list of must sees!

Check out Guster performing "Demons" off their 1997 release Goldfly.

Go here for more Guster!

Caravan Countdown- Flaming Lips: Do You Realize?

Exactly one week from today kicks of DMB Caravan in Atlantic City.  Three days of virtually nonstop music!  I've always loved music, but I think it was my first Dave Matthews Band concert that ignited my addiction to live music.  I've seen Dave Matthews perform 23 times, which depending on who you talk, either borders on obsession, or is categorized as a fairly weak number (some people have been to hundreds!)  So of course I'm excited to see one of my favorite bands performing each of the three days, but I'm even more excited about seeing so many other acts.  There's bands I know extremely well, ones I'm fairly familiar with, and bands I've never heard of before.  It's bound to be a good time.

As a way of looking forward to the Caravan, the upcoming posts will act as a countdown of sorts.  Each day I'll feature a band who I'm really looking forward to seeing next week.  The only rule is that the band has to be one I haven't seen before.  This eliminates a bunch of bands I can't wait to see again including, Ray LaMontagne, David Gray, Lisa Hannigan (who I'm planning on proposing to next week), Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, and others.

The first band to be featured, I've heard is a must see.  The Flaming Lips have been making music since 1983.  Their shows are... crazy!  That's probably the best word, as they feature psychedelic lighting and props.  They are consistently talked about as one of the best live acts around.  In 2009, The Flaming Lips released a remake of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.  The Flaming Lips are tremendously popular in Europe, and have gained quite the reputation hear at home as of late.  I'm very much looking forward to catching their set!

Here's The Flaming Lips performing "Do You Realize?" off 2003's Yoshima Battles The Pink Robots.

Get more Flaming Lips!

Check back tomorrow for a new band!