Spotlight Reviews
 DMB at their musical best.
I'm a music student en route to becoming a music teacher, so I do know a thing or two about good music. Anyways, to the point. I was at this concert. I was planning on getting this CD only for a recording of "Cortez the Killer" "Help Myself" & the awesome intro on "All Along the Watchtower." Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that the magic of that night would be captured in this three CD set. When i plopped this CD in I was transported right back to Central Park. What a rush! Not only are the songs awesome and the jams wicked, but it makes you feel as if you were there. It feels like a perfect live album. Unfortunately for those who are ordering from Amazon , you do not get the bonus CD that came with the pre-orders from DMB's official website. That CD contains songs that CD includes songs not on Central, which were pulled from their 2003 summer tour. I highly recomend that for the live versions of You Never Know and Everyday (in which Dave speaks about 9/11, since that particular song was recorded on 9/11/03) Anyways, sorry, getting off topic. The Central Park Concert I feel represents Dave Matthews Band at the height of their musical performing power and it is definetely a must buy for the die hard fan and casual fan alike.
 Best Live Release Ever!
At first when I heard of this new live album coming out I didn't care to buy it. Seeing how there are so many live DMB shows, another one seemed pretty pointless. I was, however, greatly mistaken. After giving in and getting the album I was blown away by the way Dave has taken old tunes and completely reworked them making them sound fresh, lively and just amazing. Below is a song for song review.
Don't Drink the Water - A nice opener, but there's nothing new in this live version of the song. The end is a bit different but still pretty similar to Folsom Field. So Much To Say - Very similar to the studio version, Dave experiments a bit by singing the song in different keys than usual but, again, more of the same. Too Much - This is the song where ths how starts to pick up. It opens with a real funky beat, very 70s. Dave sings some jibberish and jams on his guitar. The sax is incredible and this ends up being one of the highlights of the album. Granny - A nice version of the song. The latter half is mixed up a bit and sounds real nice. Crush - Some great solos in here and great singing by Dave. Another standout. He changes up the tempo of the song a lot and it just sounds great. When the World Ends - Very similar to studio version, nothing new going on here. Still a good song, but the Folsom Field version is better. Dancing Nancies - the opening is really fresh, Dave throws some new material in and the song really shines. Warehouse - Nothing new in here, but the latter half with the sax solo is quality. Ants Marching - This one starts off right away and is a little different from most versions of the song. It's a nice change. At a few points the band stops playing and lets the audience sing the song. Rhyme and Reason - Same as studio. Good performance by Dave though. Two Step - Probably the best recording of the song ever. It's so different than anything you've ever heard. The piano is strongly used throughout and its really up beat and lively. One of the best songs on this album and any Live Dave album ever. Help Myself - A nice song, but not great. Cortez, the killer - The best song on the album and it's a cover. Wow, the electric guitar is some of the best I've ever heard. The song itself is just amazing, the lyrics incredible. Dave and Warren Hayes are amazing, the two voices are great together and overall this song is the best on the album. Jimi thing - A great rendition of the song. It's real lively and great performances all around. There's a little surprise (cover) at the end as well. What Would you Say - Another standout song. Just real lively and full of energy. Where are you Going - A great sax makes this song. They change the tune up a bit which really makes it such a beautiful song. All Along the Watchtower - A real nice opening to it, but the song is the same as we've heard before. I think it's getting real tired reusing this song all the time. Dave should start recycling another cover. Grey Street - A shortened version of the song which was shame because one of the strengths to "Grey Street" is it's length. What You are - Another variation of the song, another great performance and standout track. Stay (Wasting Time) - I wouldn't have ended the show with this. it's like ending the show with a fart. But overall an amazing album. The songs that are similar to the version played before are still great songs, just we've heard them the same way on other albums. The songs that are done differently are really amazing. I would go so far as to say this is their best live release. Best Live Release
The title of my review says it all; if you don't have this album yet, you're really missing out. | 
Based on 67 reviews.