Alberta Clipper

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year to everyone.

I know it's been awhile but, you have to understand I've been pretty busy and quite frankly haven't been able to find the time to go into the lab and put some thoughts down. I'm looking to hit on a variety of things, some will be quick hitters, others will be more in depth. I'm gonna sip on some beer and see what comes out.

First of all, it's been a month since what I deem to be the most unreal Saturday I've had in a long time. Certainly a historic Saturday. Rewind back to November 20th. UVA was playing at Boston College at noon. I had tickets to the LAST DMB concert until at least 2012 back where it all started, Charlottesville of course. We lost a game we should've won and beat feet back to CVille. I hopped in a police escort and made it back in time to slay a few beers in the parking lot before jamming my face off in John Paul Jones Arena. Let's recap the night that was 3 hours and 1 minute of pure awesomeness. I had money seats of course thanks to my friend Jenny who bought the tickets in advance, rocked the real expensive draft beer hard as well as a stealthly snuck in mini bottle of Crown Royal (great idea to place in shoe kid behind me in line). Here we go:

http://dmbalmanac.com/TourShowSet.aspx?id=453056855&tid=112&where=2010

You Might Die Trying - At first it sounded like Minarets but they went into a rocking version. Dave's mumbling at the end was pretty solid.
Proudest Monkey - One of my top songs right now. Tim ripped it apart.
Satellite - Typical PM segue into Satellite. As beautiful as it gets and one of the original classics.
Say Goodbye - One of the many moments in which I lost my mind. Unreal Carter intro.
Funny The Way It Is - The first single off of BWATGGK and the second I heard it I knew that album would be one of their best.
Rhyme & Reason - A very underrated song. Joe Lawlor guested and ripped a nasty solo.
Eh Hee - Dark, jamming, and awesome.
Crush - I mean at this juncture I was really feeling it. A great song and even better live.
Can't Stop - A little diddy to let you catch your breath
Cornbread - Crowd pleaser. Epic jam. Dave broke out the dance moves. Trombone Shorty was unreal.
Digging a Ditch - I love this song, especially live. Flies below the radar.
Lying In the Hands of God - Not one of my favorites but they really go hard on this bad boy and just go where the music takes them
The Song That Jane Likes - An oldy but such a goody. "I have a sister named Jane...and this is her song."
Write A Song - Not officially released but very cool to see them playing it.
Why I Am - This song is and always will be for LeRoi. You could feel his spirit in the building tonight.
Dancing Nancies - You cannot go wrong with this bad boy. It was my summer anthem and still gets played in the rotation.
Long Black Veil - The stunner of the night. I mean I went numb and had goosbumps. Wow. Perfect version and so so good.
What You Are - The new intro takes this song to the NEXT level. Absolutely unreal and of course segued right into...
Two Step - Do I even need to write anything here? I didn't think so. Many people don't like it, but the Time Bomb intro is a favorite of mine. It certainly isn't as good as the "Daddy please tell me a story intros..."
(Encore Break, we really are just getting started...)
Some Devil - Pretty solid, especially Dave solo
Granny - You knew they weren't ending with this song. But man did it ever rock.
#40 (tease) - Really Dave? Just a tease...like always. I wonder if this song will ever get finished?
The Last Stop - FINALLY. I mean you knew this was going to be it. It was just a matter of when this song would be played. So good and so awesome.
(I thought they were done, but maybe it was the crowd cheering or maybe they knew they weren't ready to shut it down...)
Too Much (fake) >> Anyone Seen The Bridge >> Too Much (fake) >> Ants Marching - The Most raucous seguing I've ever seen/heard. Arguably the best Ants. Everyone on stage was just going ballistic. The crowd blew the roof off. Everyone was singing along and just belting it out. Yes!

This being the last show until at least 2012 left us all wanting more but this is a well deserved break for a band that's been on the road for nearly 20 years now. They've earned it. Numerous times throughout the show Dave talked about how they weren't done and how it was such a privilege to be on stage with each and everyone of those guys, how they missed LeRoi etc. He talked about getting back together and making new music. We definitely have not seen the last of the Dave Matthews Band. They'll be back and jamming out before we know it. Until then, I suggest everyone buy some CDs, DL some shows and just jam out.



Xavier Basketball has been playing pretty well since the slip up at Miami (OH). They grabbed a big home W against Butler right before the exam break and then beat Wake Forest in the second installment of the Skip Prosser Classic. Dave West was in the house to get inducted into the Xavier Hall of Fame as well as Mrs. Prosser. It was a surreal atmosphere as one friend described to me. Tu Holloway had Xavier's first triple double since of course, Dave West. Kenny Frease was huge down low once again. A couple of observations as they have only scratched the surface of a brutal non-conference run leading up to A-10 play. The guard play has been solid and Kenny Frease has really been playing well down low. Jamel has been rebounding the ball nicely too. We aren't shooting the three as well as year's past but were finding that when we play tough defensively we'll be able to stay in games and give ourselves a chance to win. Of course I'm just a "couch coach" but somehow, someway there needs to be some scoring from the bench. There is going to be a night when Tu and Kenny aren't getting it done and we need to count on some bench contributions. We play at Gonzaga Wednesday night on national television. It won't hurt to have another big time performance. A win out there would be HUGE! Overall though the team is doing what they do and that's steadily get better each game, each practice, and each day. That type of progress only results in success. Keep up the good work fellas.



Also, if you're looking to get better at defense, watch this...



Ohio State basketball is about as talented on paper as anyone in the country. It's a matter of them putting that talent together and playing as one. So far they more or less have. They haven't lost yet. Jared Sullinger is by far and away the best freshman in the country* (*Kyrie Irving held that title until he got hurt). The mix of veterans and young explosive talents could make for a big season in Columbus. I'll be in the building Thursday night when they play Oakland. I'm pretty excited to see this team in person and see what they're really made of against a team that's taken down some big boys (Tennessee). The football team is playing against Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. Another Big Ten Title and BCS Bowl for Jim Tressel. He just keep churning out success. Sure, people will complain because there hasn't been a National Title since 02. But they played in 2 since and while they got run you can't argue the success i.e. Big Ten Titles and BCS Bowl Games. I think the matchup against Arkansas will make for a great game. In fact it will be the first time I get to watch an entire Ohio State game all season. Right now the Buckeyes are favored. I like them down in New Orleans.

The Browns haven't completely disappointed me this year like in years past. For the most part they've played hard and competed. I can't ask for much more out of them. Colt McCoy seems to have proven that he can lead the team and possibly be the QB of the future and the defense has looked ok during the season. I think you'll see Mangini get the axe at the end of the season which I personally am happy about. The Browns need to try and get a big time WR or DT in the draft. I like the thought of a DT because WRs are a dime a dozen but if a guy like AJ Green, Dustin Blackmon, or Julio Jones is available, you cannot pass them up.

-'Killa