The Best of What's Around, Vol. 1

Performer: Dave Matthews Band
Producer: Glen Ballard; Mark Batson; Stephen Harris; Steve Lillywhite; David Matthews; John Alagia; Glen Ballard; Mark Batson; Scott Campbell
Distributor: BMG (distributor)

Notes: Dave Matthews Band: Dave Matthews (vocals, guitar); Boyd Tinsley (vocals, mandolin, electric violin); Stefan Lessard (bass guitar); LeRoi Moore, Carter Beauford. Personnel: Dave Matthews (vocals, guitar); LeRoi Moore (vocals, woodwinds, saxophone); Carter Beauford (vocals, drums, percussion); Vusi Mahlasela (vocals); Stefan Lessard (guitar); Tim Reynolds (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin); Rashawn Ross (trumpet); Butch Taylor (piano, organ, keyboards, background vocals). Audio Mixers: John Alagia; Serban Ghenea; Steve Lillywhite; Tom Lord-Alge; Brian Malouf. Liner Note Author: Steve Morse. Recording information: Alpine Valley, East Troy, WI (07/25/2000-07/02/2006); Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ (07/25/2000-07/02/2006); Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO (07/25/2000-07/02/2006); Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY (07/25/2000-07/02/2006); Sound Advice Amphitheatre, West Palm Beach, FL (07/25/2000-07/02/2006); State Theater, Sydney, Australia (07/25/2000-07/02/2006); Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Selma, TX (07/25/2000-07/02/2006). Photographers: Sam Erickson; Barnaby Draper; Warren Darius Aftahi; Rudy Arias; Danny Clinch. The first Dave Matthews Band release to compile the group's studio material, the fan-selected BEST OF WHAT'S AROUND features one disc of album tracks and a second disc of live performances. On the former, each of the jam band's six studio records are represented by only two tracks, a set-up that yields interesting results, since old favorites (e.g. "Ants Marching") are occasionally left behind in favor of less obvious numbers ("The Best of What's Around"). Several likely suspects do turn up, though, including Matthews's lightly funky breakthrough hit, "What Would You Say," the delicate "Crash into Me," and the lilting "American Baby." "Ants Marching" does appear on the concert disc, which showcases Matthews and company in the comfort zone of the stage, where the charismatic singer/guitarist and his seemingly telepathic ensemble cut loose (particularly on the frenetic closer, "Two Step"). Although DMB diehards may find this collection superfluous, it serves as an excellent overview of the group's first 15 years together, and is the perfect set for newcomers daunted by Matthews's considerable discography. For those just joining the cult surrounding the Dave Matthews Band, The Best of What's Around, Vol. 1 is actually a stellar introduction. There are two discs in the package, one compiled from the group's studio offerings and a live disc of previously unreleased material (at least "officially" unreleased). But then, this set is unique in another way also: the tracks were selected by DMB fans via the band's website. This is the way best-of and compilation recordings should be issued -- by fans, not the suits upstairs. The studio disc contains two cuts from each RCA-issued album, from Under the Table and Dreaming straight through to Stand Up. To everyone's credit, there are two picks from Busted Stuff, a record that was undeserving of the ire it received from some members of the music press. Beginning at the beginning: "What Would You Say" and "Crash into Me" are obvious picks. (The latter is a track well deserving of its smash success, and one of those songs listeners will be hearing in whatever form radio goes for a very long time.) A thoroughly modern love song, its simple melody, hook, and chorus are memorable from the first time through. Other standouts from the first disc include "Crush," "Grey Street," "Grace Is Gone," and "Hunger for the Great Light." The live platter is wonderfully assembled, jumping back and forth across time from 2000 to 2006. All but one of the selections were recorded in the States, and the performances are stellar -- even the version of "Ants Marching," the most over-recorded song in DMB history and one listeners should all get a break from, is wonderfully refreshing here. There are a couple of tracks with guest performances: "Everyday" with the great Vusi Mahlasela on vocals, and a scorching read of "Louisiana Bayou" with the inimitable Robert Randolph on pedal steel (if you've never heard Randolph, get ready for a mind-blowing treat). Those uninitiated who are wondering what all the fuss has been about for the past decade get a real opportunity here to check out the very best of what's been recorded, and get a small taste of the band live as well. Longtime fans who don't already have the shows referenced here will want to pick it up for the live set alone. ~ Thom Jurek

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Dave Matthews was born in South Africa, but it was after moving to Charlottesville, Virginia, in the 1980s that he assembled his world-beating band. Adding violin and multiple saxophones to the traditional rock-band instrumentation, Matthews and his cohorts created a unique, idiosyncratic sound that melded jam-band improvisation with elements of folk-rock, funk, and jazz fusion. A homegrown phenomenon, the band sold a stunning number of copies of a self-released debut album via non-stop touring. After signing to a major label, avoiding any artistic compromise in the process, the band immediately broke through on a national level, becoming one of the most popular groups in the U.S.

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