Okie(s) in Florida

So I bought a few new Dave Matthews Band cds on Friday in an effort to bring my collection up to date.

This is partially in my as yet not started effort to rank my favorite songs and/or albums. I haven’t decided which to do (albums or songs). Maybe I should rank albums first, then pick the CDs.

First off, I should take stock of my Dave Matthews Band songs first, considering they are by far my favorite group.

So here’s what I have (new means I bought it Friday):

1) Best of What’s Around (new)— Volume 1. I almost didn’t buy this one because, well, the whole first disc is made up of recordings I have. But I couldn’t resist the second disc, which is unreleased live recordings. Besides, I can use the first disc to introduce Kathryn to ALL the DMB requirements.
2) DMB Live Trax Vol. 6 (new) — This is the recording of his performance at Fenway Park. There’s several other Live Trax available, but I don’t have them.
3) Live at Piedmont Park (new) — Haven’t listened to it yet.
4) Live at Radio City — Now this isn’t DMB, but rather Dave and Tim. I really enjoyed the first Dave and Tim acoustic set … In fact, it might rank near the top of favorite Dave-related CDs. This one is good, but not as good as the first.
5) Live in Chicago 12.19.98 (new) — Haven’t listened yet.
6) Stand Up — Eh, it’s OK. I like a couple songs (American Baby, Stolen Away, Louisiana Bayou), but this one is probably one of my least favorite CDs.
7) Crash — A definite classic…This CD is full of favorites for me…So Much to Say, Crash Into Me, #41, Lie in Our Graves).
Under the Table and Dreaming — It made ‘em famous. And rightfully so. Most songs are hot: What would you say, Satellite, Dancing Nancies, Ants Marching, Kimi Thing, Warehouse and #34.
Before These Crowded Streets — Eh. It’s good, but is somewhere in the middle for me. Like Pantala Naga Pampa, Stay, Crush and Pig. This album gave us Don’t Drink the Water, but I don’t like the album version. I got a much different attitude about this song when I saw them at the Ford Center in Tulsa and they opened with it. The opening hit rocks your face off live.
9) Busted Stuff — This kind of disappointed me, mainly because it left off my favorite song from the unreleased Lillywhite Sessions: JTR. And while I’m happy they recorded Grey Street, I liked the Lillywhite version much better. This album gave me Where Are You Going and You never Know.
10) Everyday — As I recall, a lot of people didn’t like this one. It was OK in my book. I really only liked The Space Between, Dreams of Our Father, Everyday and Fool to Think.
11) Some Devil — I suppose I shouldn’t count this because it’s a solo project, but it doesn’t matter anyways because…well…I don’t care for it.
12) Live at Luther College — This is an acoustic CD with Tim Reynolds referenced in the Radio City entry. This thing is bad ass from top to bottom and even makes me songs I didn’t like on the original album with the full band, such as Say Goodbye.
13) Central Park — This thing kicks ass from top to bottom. By far, my favorite live CD. Don’t Drink The Water, a song I didn’t care for on the original album, rocks your face off. Crush is amazing — probably the best recording. This is the best recording of Dancing Nancies I’ve ever heard.
14) Live at Red Rocks — It’s OK. Probably a little above the middle for me.
15) Listener Supported — LOVE #36 on here and All Along the Watchtower.
16) Live at Folsom Field — Need to listen to it again to give an accurate account.
17) The Gorge — I love the #36/Everyday on this. I guess #36 has just become part of Everyday … Does #36 even exist anymore by itself??

Comments, criticisms?