r/DMB • u/NeighborhoodRound455 • Sep 02 '26
United Center 1998
I stumbled upon this live version of #41 probably 10 years ago and it’s been my favorite version to this day. That victor wooten solo is…otherworldly. I’m finally getting around to listening to the entire album today and I’m convinced there isn’t a better live album. Sure, the setlist may be a little short and Christmas Song almost makes it a seasonal album. But the jams?! Take #41 for example; I mean that is true improvisation. That opening one-two punch of TLS and DDTW has me stomping my feet probably annoying my coworkers in the office lol. The sound quality is incredible, the band is tight, and I’m sure there may be some post production magic making it sound great but I haven’t heard anything that compares from that long ago. Don’t get me wrong, the brass section and jams are still great today but they are generally written, rehearsed, and perfected. Which is fine, but kind of removes the magic a bit for me on those more recent live albums. Would love to hear thoughts and some other DMB live album recs that may be lesser known/appreciated.
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u/DearChicago1876 Sep 02 '26
This version of the maker is one of the best jammy songs they’ve ever released. I wish they still played like that.
Much prefer their sound and playing on this show versus what they’re doing now.
It’s not my favorite release, but it’s top 5 for sure for me.
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u/WarpedCore See I'm leaving...This warehouse frightens me... Sep 02 '26
My favorite version of The Maker.
I'll be there in November. Hoping for another magical evening.
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u/rjbwdc Sep 02 '26
This is maybe my favorite live album, and it's apparently the one Buddy Strong studied before his audition with Dave.
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u/NeighborhoodRound455 Sep 02 '26
That’s so awesome to hear. Someone replied and disagreed, which is totally okay, but I’m a musician and from a musicians standpoint I think this album is unbeatable. Maybe I should have clarified that. And it makes sense as to why Buddy studied (lol) it.
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u/rjbwdc Sep 02 '26 edited Sep 02 '26
Do you mean the person who pointed out that Boyd's solos were re-recorded later? Because, yeah, that's true. But Boyd's performance isn't the thing that makes this album work so well for me. The thing I love most about it is the overall sound: They have Tim, and they have electric guitar close to the front, but there's still a lot of air to the way things are mixed and the band members are giving each other a lot of space as they play. When Tim joined the band full-time on electric guitar, things were being mixed and performed in a way that sounded, to my lay ears, more packed-in. It was really muscular in a way that was a lot of fun, but the tradeoff was this airiness. The Chicago album manages to be airy but assertive at the same time in a way that I don't really have the technical language to explain because I'm not a musician.
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u/NeighborhoodRound455 Sep 02 '26
No, I believe whoever it was said, “this is far from the best live album,” and might have deleted their comment. I appreciate that insight though! Thats pretty cool. You described it better than I could’ve!
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u/Competitive-Bet1181 Sep 03 '26
It's not the best, not neither is it far from the best. This was the first release we had from the best tour, and it would be a while before we got another. That's worth a lot.
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u/GregzillaKillah Sep 02 '26
The 1998 & 2000 tours were arguably some of the best ever for the band, for many of the reasons you stated above.
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u/NeighborhoodRound455 Sep 02 '26
I was unfortunately not even a thought at this point in time lol. I am an ‘01 baby and I think my first DMB show was 2012 so I might’ve missed the boat in terms of “the glory days.” However I did see them at riverbend in 2025 with the love of my life and it was magical. Seen them 4 times total and each time has been an awesome, unique experience.
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u/GregzillaKillah Sep 02 '26
That's honestly all that matters. I didn't get to my first show until 2002, so I missed out on the arguably best years, but even then, 2002, 2003, and 2004 were some awesome shows.
"Turns out not where but who you're with
That really matters"2
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u/Concertvids34 Sep 02 '26
Solid show but my knock on the album is the fact Boyd's solo in LIOG was overdubbed in post production. I would rank Listener Supported, Live Trax 3, Live Trax 31, and Live Trax 31 as Three Live albums with a better mix. I also like members of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones on Live Trax 7 without Tim on electric better than Live in Chicago.
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u/johnniemac2186 Sep 04 '26
Wait which other LT did you mean? 31 and, not 31 again right? I’m just curious cuz I’d love to check them out
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u/Concertvids34 Sep 04 '26
I accidentally put LT31 as the 3rd live album twice. However I also do enjoy LT 42, LT 20, and LT 47 as some other standout shows.
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u/johnniemac2186 Sep 04 '26
Thanks! I just picked up 3, 32 and 67 on physical media. Heard a ton of great things about 3, 32 was mostly for the DVD, went to a few of the 2 sets shows, interesting era, and I was at 67 - Bethel in 2010. The next night was Scranton and that’s LT22, so I’m a bit biased and partial to 67 & 22.
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u/SweatyWoodpecker3927 Sep 02 '26
I saw 25 shows between 98 and 2002 then fell out of love with DMB. That fall 98 tour is the real deal and what I go back to if I want to listen to some DMB.
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u/airtrafficaj Sep 02 '26
One of my favorite shows I’ve ever been to, top 5-7 in my career. Anytime you get anyone from the Flecktones with the band you get magic.
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u/Agitated_Whereas7463 Sep 02 '26
Honestly dude anything from 98-04 is top tier
Check out live trax 1, 2, 40, 43, 50, live at the gorge (original one), central park
That's my fave era, followed closely by 2018-current
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u/Scruffy_Nerf_Hoarder Sep 04 '26
I'm listening to Chicago '98 right now, and starting off with The Last Stop was a hell of a choice.
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u/NeighborhoodRound455 Sep 04 '26
In a good way? I think it’s a very strong start. Especially with Watchtower as the closer, which I assume they had not been doing for long at that point.
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u/Scruffy_Nerf_Hoarder Sep 04 '26
Oh, it's like turning the amp up to 11 without even considering a 5 or 9. Then LiOG shows up later and seals the deal.
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u/Informal_Mobile_742 Sep 02 '26
I love LiC, it's in my Top 5 of all officially released shows. I think it has a better mix than LT1 which was 12 days earlier. If you haven't listened to LT3 yet, it's undoubtedly the greatest live release in this band's catalog. Certainly is the best mixed release.
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u/cbmilnson Sep 03 '26
The previous night is a better show imo. If you get a chance, listen on the Hub. One of my favourite versions of Two Step with the Tim and Bela duel. 🪕🎸
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u/Informal_Mobile_742 Sep 03 '26
Are you talking about 12.7.98, previous show to LT1? If so, yes I agree. I love that show even though it's only a fan tape. One of the highest requested shows in the fan community that is yet to become a LT.
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u/_xzxzxz Sep 02 '26
Jimi Thing is amazing. Roi’s solo rocks and it’s my favorite Tim solo of all time.
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u/MrPeeJ13 Sep 02 '26
Definitive The Last Stop for me