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Notes:
Dave Matthews
Band: Dave Matthews (acoustic guitar, vocals); Boyd Tinsley
(violin); Leroi Moore (alto, soprano, tenor & baritone
saxophones, pennywhistle, bass clarinet); Stefan Lessard (bass);
Carter Beauford (drums, percussion, background vocals).
Additional personnel: Alanis Morissette (vocals); Tim Reynolds
(electric guitar, mandolin); Bela Fleck (banjo); John D'Earth
(trumpet); Butch Taylor (piano, organ); Greg Howard (Chapman
stick); Tawatha Agee, Cindy Mizelle, Brenda White King
(background vocals).
Kronos Quartet: David Harrington, John Sherba (violin); Hank Dutt
(viola); Joan Jeanrenaud (cello).
Recorded at the Record Plant, Sausalito, California and Electric
Lady Studios, New York, New York.
BEFORE THESE CROWDED STREETS was nominated for the 1999 Grammy
Award for Best Rock Album. "Crush" was nominated for
the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group
With Vocal.
BEFORE THESE CROWDED STREETS is a true groove salad, as the
D.M.B. reports in with even more creative eclecticism than usual.
Guest appearances by artists as varied as Alanis Morissette, Bela
Fleck and Kronos Quartet are a testament to the collage of sounds
present. Occasional ventures into Middle Eastern melodicism feel
as natural a part of the band's sound as do its mellow folk
grooves and funky rhythm flights. The lyrics are a glad swirl of
pop storytelling and trippy mystery, brought to life by the usual
confluence of saxophones, violin and precise guitar work that
makes this group tick.
Over a fat backbeat, Matthews carries the clever, sultry lyrics
of "Rapunzel" with a whimsical vocal blend of growls
and falsetto jumps, culminating in a soprano rhapsody by hornman
Leroi Moore. The funk-vamp "Stay" makes you want to do
just that, featuring a joyous gospel chorus and peppery, staccato
horn lines. Excellent, frenetic bowing by Kronos Quartet couples
with Matthews' quick picking to drive "The Stone" to a
6/8 fury, only to be resolved with delicate grace. Morisette's
lilt and Fleck's colorful banjo wrap this excellent album up
tastefully on "Spoon."
Album Details:
| record label |  |
RCA Records | |
| orig. release | |
1998 | |
| release date | |
04/28/1998 | |
| engineer | |
Steve Harris | |
| mono/stereo | |
Stereo | |
| studio/live | |
Studio |