| See parts one and two of the Top 25 Greatest DMB Guest Appearances Part I: 25-17 and Part II: 16-8.
7. Sex Machine - 12/21/02 (James Brown & Karl Denson's Tiny Universe)
Another aspect of a great guest performance is the element of surprise. There may have been a small buzz through some fans about Brown's appearance but to the majority of the fanbase and those at this show, had no clue. DMB have played with Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead, Buddy Guy, Paul Simon, Al Green, Neil Young...they've played with a great amount of legends but there is only one collaboration on stage with a legend that shocked, enlightened, and filled the fans with such energy that it's performance is still considered one of if not THE greatest ever witnessed from this band's live career.
Overrated, hyped, over discussed, whatever you want to say about this performance and the way it's hailed will never negate what happened that night and the solid performance of this classic soul/funk song. It's moments like these that can never be recreated. James Brown's soul still bleeds with passion 40 years later and he single-handedly took Madison Square Garden, and the DMB fanbase, and turned it upside down. A few shows and single performances are still talked about it in great length by the fans who witnessed them and even ones who didn't. This performance with James Brown will probably go down as the single most talked about performance from DMB.
6. Typical Situation - 12/31/96 (Bela Fleck & The Flecktones)
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Utilizing the unmatched talent of the Flecktones ultimately lead to this perfect performance. Victor Wooten kicks off the song by taking the intro over from Roi. Vic somehow manages to keep this bass solo fluid, yet intriguing with a dark touch. The song starts slow and soft, as usual, and then builds to a point where you've got this city of sound. Bela plucking away, Futureman aiding a backing to Carter, Victor running through a poetic backing, and the kicker of it all is with the trade-off of Roi and Paul in the jam. It's fast, upbeat, secure, jazzy, progressive...it's everything.
This performance ranks in over 13 minutes long and for all that was added here, it makes it feel like 3 minutes. It's amazing that 4 musicians could go up on stage, not step on anyone's toes and keep the song's integrity pieced together by adding only the perfect amount of touches. A performance that will more than likely slip under the radar for the majority of the fanbase. It's the sole reason this show, 12/31/96, needs to be officially released.
5. Lie In Our Graves - 5/19/01 (Trey Anastasio)
Epic may be overstating it a tad but that's the first thought that runs through the minds of so many while listening to this guest spot. Trey takes the breakdown of this song and creates a whole new world on top of it. He compliments Boyd and his solo by pushing through with riffs and notes that keep a balance between the two of 'em. Trey isn't overbearing or doesn't saturate the performance with overdone rock licks. He's just jamming the only way he knows how, and that's by adapting to his surroundings.
Trey takes whatever arrangement is thrown at him and he creates his own pocket to start from. This performance/guest spot is no different. From the moment Trey begins his solo...it becomes HIS performance. He owns the stage. Trey encapsulates his own style within the first minute of this solo. This is a perfect performance only noticed by an epic guest appearance from one of DMB's biggest supporters and one of Dave's finest friends, Trey Anastasio.
4. All Along The Watchtower - 5/26/99 (Carlos Santana)
With one of the best shows to come out of the '99 - '01 era, also comes one of the finest guest appearance in Carlos Santana. Santana, who is no stranger to Watchtower, blazes through his solo with absolute confidence. There's not a single moment of hesitation. Santana treats this legendary song with respect by keeping it within the realm of pure rock. He slices through runs of notes and uses effects at the most perfect moments within his solo.
Much like a few DMB originals, their cover of Watchtower is a classic song for a guest joining DMB on stage. Above Tim, above Warren, above others, Carlos Santana adds the right amount of ingredients to a Watchtower to keep it short, simple and to the point...BUT, never leaves you unsatisfied.
3. Lie In Our Graves - 6/8/97 (Bela Fleck)
Not many guests have come along and left such a mark on a DMB song that whenever you hear that song you're often left feeling something is missing without that guest. Bela's LIOG solo here is perfect, in every sense of the word. It was this solo/performance that took the Flecktones(and Bela) and placed them on the lips of every DMB fan.
Such an impression is hard to come by but Bela's solo took the breakdown of Lie in Our Graves in the epic direction it was pleading to go in. It was solo's and guest spots like this that kept Dave's jaw glued to the floor. Not a single note goes unnoticed, nor a shift in tempo or climatic outburst too obvious. Bela plays with such beauty on this performance that after hearing it, you never question the praise, respect and love the Flecktones get for guesting with DMB. A solo which opened to doors for DMB fans to become awe-struck by the Flecktones music.
2. #41 - 9/15/00 (Bela Fleck & The Flecktones)
This song and this group of guests are the most perfect match for any DMB song. The Flecktones were meant to play on #41 more than any other tune. The layering, the texture, the color that they play with every time they guest on #41 is unmatched. Here on this performance the Flecktones actually create their OWN arrangement on top of #41's chorus. That's how well the 'tones know this song, where they can actually create their own parts on top of the tune itself, before the solos even begin.
When all the 'Tones guest it's a toss up of who will solo when, but on this version Vic takes the first stab, slipping in some fantastic funk-based patterns. Then, Bela steps up and takes one of his most intricate solos on any DMB song leading into Jeff's, as always ridiculous solo. The build to the climax is stretched on this performance longer than on any other before or after, with Carter and Futureman just going and going all the while Jeff still wailing away waiting for that climatic punch that brings it all together.
Of course, the classic Sojourn Of Arjuna jam is included, which is the trademark the Flecktones have left on this song. Jeff, Futureman, Vic and Bela are the most sought after guests from the fans. No other guest/group is more speculated as guesting for a random show, or a hopeful for doing so during a tour.
1. Cortez The Killer & Exodus - 12/13/00 (Warren Haynes)
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First off, it's not entirely unfair to couple these performances in one slot. After all, you don't get one without the other. These two performances go hand-in-hand. Not only does Warren lend his musicianship to Cortez but he also showcases his vocals. He displays a dark and restless emotion, yearning with remembrance as if the song's story is one of his own.
It was a perfect mix with Dave and Warren trading verses and it gave this version a deeper appeal. This performance was laced with Warren's amazing ability to create dark imagery with bleak, epic-like solos. By the time the next song has started you were still left trying to take in what you just heard with Cortez. Then, the band and Warren shift gears and take you from the bluest of blue to the lightest of jams with Exodus. A song that, at that point, hadn't been played in over 4 years.
This version stands the test of what we all witness day in/day out with Carter. Carter plays solid; he plays quick and clear-cut, just waiting for Warren to bust loose. The solo is sparked by simple plucking, quick note shifts and then it begins. Not one second does Warren give you the impression that his solo is going in one single direction. Haynes has the ability to grab a solo and leave the doors open so he can shift tempo, change direction, or soften the sound whenever he wants.
Carter is not fooled though as the two go head to head and keep on each other through a swirl of rock-based jamming that results in the purest of energy that we all hope to hear at any given show and then BAM, Carter and Warren end right on point. This is one of those times where you shake your head saying "yep, that's it right there. Nothing can top that.".....and nothing has.
Summary
The great thing about the guest spots over the years is that they all capture us in different ways. Some of us prefer the darker additions from guys like Warren, while others enjoy a light-hearted solo from Bela. Bands like Soulive and guitarists like David Ryan Harris have done amazing things with this band. We've seen and heard Neil Young pour his heart out on stage with DMB during his own song, Cortez The Killer on 10/28/00.
There have been great contributions from guys the Doug Wannamaker during the old days. Carter playing with the Dead, Al Green singing with DMB, and Tracy Chapman enhancing a version of The Maker with Dave in '01. So many performances over the years to choose from. So many opinions, views, ideas and thoughts on what we think and feel are the best. No one is right. No one is wrong. We hear what inspires us and leaves us intrigued, and if the moment is right we get a sense of perfection from this band and the appearances from guests.
Trusted Stuff is a regular column on Dave Matthews Band written by Brandon L. You can share your thoughts and questions about this piece in the comment thread below.
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