Thursday, September 04, 2008

I'll Smile

I'd love to write something heartfelt and lovely, something explaining my current reflective state of mind (mirror... reflective. get it? ha ha) but really, I've been staring at this blank "create a new post" space for about a half hour now and really, nothing is coming to me. Dave Matthews Band's cover of "The Maker" is playing through iTunes, and I'm listening intently to LeRoi's beautifully moving saxaphone that now haunts this song, and feeling sad for him, his family, his friends, his fans. LeRoi passed away unexpectedly August 19.
It might seem odd to be upset about the loss of a man I never met, but LeRoi (and Dave, Boyd, Carter and Stefan) has been a part of my life since I was 17. From the very first time I heard "Ants Marching" on the Mountain 105.7, I was hooked. I went to my first DMB concert at 18, and felt so lucky to be on the 17th row. I was dazzled. I was in love. I lost my voice that night, and it's no wonder after all the screaming I did when they began "Two Step". This band is the only band I've stuck with since high school. I have new favorites, but this is my mainstay. I grew up with DMB and I can't help but wonder what the band will be like now that LeRoi is gone. Time will tell, and the band will endure. I can't wait to see them again, and we will soon (as soon as the postponed Usana show is rescheduled), but in the meantime, I'll listen to my favorite band and reflect on the great times I've had at all the shows I've seen since that first one, and I'll smile (grin, really) when I think of all the memories that were made when DMB was on in the car, the house, and the iPod. DMB is in heavy rotation on the soundtrack of my life and that'll never change. LeRoi, RIP good friend.

4 comments:

Dharma Bum 53 said...

Are all these photos taken with a Diana type camera ? I just got my first one, and am halfway through the first roll of film. Not many in Maine know about these cameras so I am kind of on my own... but your photos look like the same type as a Diana takes...

Anonymous said...

My sister and I have great memories aligned with DMB and certain songs. They were always our sister-bonding group, and we'd just drive belting out the songs. I can't even begin to recount how many mixes she made with their songs included. She even went as far as to make several DMB mood mixes - there was the happy one, the sentimental sad one... etc. To this day I know if she is listening to Dave there is something brewing inside her...and if she combines this with a few drinks, I know tears will also be on their way.
I don't listen to Dave as much as I used to, and I've only been to one show, but yes, this band will always be part of my roots as well, and will always have the profound effect of taking me somewhere else. Music is really cool like that.
I'm glad you got the cd's ok... I hope there's something new in there to get you excited.

Steph Parke said...

Hi dharma,

Thanks for commenting. Some of the photos on my blog were made with a Diana, but lately I've just been posting Polaroids, my newest addiction/obsession. You might try looking on toycamera.com or even Flickr. Good luck!

Steph Parke said...

Hi Liz! Thanks for reading my blog. At least I know someone is! :) Music is so amazing, isn't it? I have a lot of DMB mood mixes too, and lately I've been into the somber/sad stuff. Tell your sister I like her, even though I don't know her!