#41: Tribute to LeRoi Moore of Dave Matthews Band

August 20, 2008 · Print This Article


In light of yesterday’s passing of Dave Matthews Band saxophonist LeRoi Moore, I wanted to take a moment to pay tribute to a great musician who helped sculpt the sound of one of the most popular bands of the past couple decades, and one of my favorite bands growing up.

My brother Adam introduced me to Dave Matthews Band (everyone called it “Dave”, for short), back when Under The Table and Dreaming came out in the early ’90s.  I was hooked from the first time I heard “Ants Marching,” and went down to my local Peaches record store to buy the single.  The clerk told me they didn’t carry the single, but suggested that I buy the whole album.  I wouldn’t be disappointed, he said.

And I wasn’t.  From the moment you heard Moore’s saxophone in sync with Boyd Tinsley’s violin, each layered atop Carter Beauford’s mind-blowing percussion (to call it “drumming” just wouldn’t do it justice), you knew this was something different.

Some of the best memories of my youth are sitting in the passenger seat of my buddy Scott’s car sophomore year of high school, him speeding to get back from our off-campus lunch break while the two of us blasted the Crash album.  I’d play air drums on the dashboard, we both sang at the top of our lungs, and invariably our company in the backseat would look on appalled.

Here’s “#41”, my favorite song by one of my favorite bands.  Here’s to you, LeRoi.

Comments

11 Responses to “#41: Tribute to LeRoi Moore of Dave Matthews Band”

  1. Balden on August 22nd, 2008 1:52 pm

    Unbelievable. As true and honest an interpretation I’ve heard.

  2. Shari on August 22nd, 2008 1:59 pm

    David, your talent amazes me. Happy Birthday.

  3. Amybtru4DMB on September 12th, 2008 9:18 pm

    LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!!!
    I HOPE AND PRAY YOU GET SIGNED!

  4. Amybtru4DMB on September 12th, 2008 9:20 pm

    Listening again…………………….

    Please do more Dmb like NOW.

    I have to hear more:))))))))

  5. Amybtru4DMB on September 12th, 2008 9:24 pm

    Ok you need to find a club,bar,and sit your ass at the piano and sing..PERIOD.

  6. Brendon on September 12th, 2008 10:54 pm

    unbelievable, this is the best cover of DMB ive come across and im a die hard dave fan…please cover more dave!

  7. Carrieann on September 14th, 2008 10:49 am

    Wow.. you have some pretty incredible piano skills and … I LOVE DMB.. this is amazing, truly!!

  8. Bryanbros on September 18th, 2008 9:32 pm

    Absolutely sick!!!

  9. Lisa Hall on October 8th, 2008 6:29 pm

    Beautiful tribute. Lisa~

  10. Mike Baker on October 21st, 2008 9:46 pm

    Wow! I just came across this on youtube and am really moved by it, David. I love the way you play and you have a very good voice as well. Did you do all the piano arrangements yourself? The playing was very heartfelt and wonderful to listen to. Thanks very much for putting the time into making this. Much love to you and to the band after losing such a good friend and musician.

    -Mike

  11. Alex on November 13th, 2008 4:49 pm

    I think one thing is missing. Me on the drums in my dad’s old church….remember that? Cheers!

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