Home Music: Dave Matthews Band ‘Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King’
Dave Matthews Band ‘Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King’ By: Clint Rhodes Created on: June 25, 2009 Updated on: June 29, 2009 Avg Rating: 30 Ratings (Avg 3.13)
“Wake up sleepy head, I think the sun’s a little brighter today,” sings Dave Matthews as if officially ushering in summer with the release of “Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King.”
The seventh studio album by one of America’s premier jam bands is filled with a variety of musical twists and turns highlighting the band’s diversity and style. The album title is a tribute to founding member and saxophonist, LeRoi Moore, who passed away last year from injuries sustained in an accident on his Virginia farm. The album opens with the GrooGrux King’s inviting saxophone playfully engaging with Carter Beauford’s drumming. “Big Whiskey” features the signature funkiness of DMB on “Shake Me Like a Monkey” and “Why I Am” with grooving percussion and potent horns. As always, Matthews displays his signature laid-back sound on the beautiful “Lying in the Hands of God” and “Baby Blue.” “Dive In” and “Spaceman” are perfect summer concert arrangements that are familiar sounding. Maybe producer Rob Cavallo’s influence can be best witnessed on an edgier, more intense sound from the band on the powerful “Squirm” and the exploding “Time Bomb.” “Seven” boasts some heavy guitar licks as the opening brings to mind Rainbow’s “Man on the Silver Mountain.” One of my favorite concert memories is of seeing DMB perform on my birthday during a warm June evening. The band’s performance was fun, inspiring and exhilarating as they entertained the appreciative crowd late into the night. Summer’s here once again and so is DMB. Both are welcomed with opened arms and a fondness for the warmth they bring with them. On “Spaceman,” Matthews asks, “Doesn’t everyone deserve to have the good life?” Absolutely. A great place to start is to treat yourself to “Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King.”
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30 Ratings (Avg 3.13)
