'Gorge' shows no decline for DMB

The sixth official live release from the Dave Matthews Band, recorded at the Gorge Amphitheater in Washington (a venue that makes Noblesville's Verizon look like my backyard), is yet another slice of solid proof that, despite the fact that the majority of the band's fans attend shows to smoke out and sport their new Abercrombie & Fitch fashions, Dave and company continue to age like fine wine, spinning off incredible grooves and inspired improvisations.\nThese 14 live tracks, spanning two packed audio discs, were handpicked by the band from the over 50 songs performed over three nights at the Gorge in early September 2002. Sprawling renditions of "Two Step" (19 minutes) and "Lie in Our Graves" (17 minutes) mesh beautifully with more rare and understated band offerings like "Granny" and one of the first ever versions of "Gravedigger." The reworking of "Everyday/No. 36" on disc one is the best you're ever likely to hear, as is the lovely version of "Proudest Monkey" on disc two.\nThe DVD included in this set showcases some of the most energetic and, at the same time, intimate footage I've personally ever seen of the ban, giving fans a sense of what it's truly like performing for massive crowds 80-plus nights a year. Also on this DVD is the somber and rarely, if ever, seen video for "Grace is Gone," possibly the band's best studio effort.\nThe fragmented nature of the two CD/one DVD set is the only troubling aspect of this release. Luckily for DMB purists, a complete six CD documentation of the band's stint at the Gorge is available for $50 through www.davematthewsband.com. For true fans of the Dave Matthews Band, The Gorge is just a teaser. The complete set is essential.