The amazing thing about Dave Matthews Band is the fact that they can release the number of live albums that they do, without saturating their fanbase with too many concert albums. DMB only has four studio albums (five if you include the fabulous unreleased "Lillywhite Sessions") while now having three two-disc concert albums available (their first ablum, Remember Two Things, is somewhat of a hybrid of live performances and in-studio tracks). Three live albums is alot for a band with only four studio albums, but that's just the thing - DMB can do this because they - and their fans - know that the live shows are where it's at.

When looking over the track listing for Live In Chicago, you might think that it's not worth the price since several tracks appear on one or both of DMB's previous live albums. While this is a sensible concern, I advise you to disregard it. First of all, as most DMB concertgoers know, each show is different; no two versions of any given song are identical. Secondly, the songs on this album are simply played better than on previous releases. Songs like "Don't Drink the Water," "#41," "Rapunzel," and "Stay" all are included on Listener Supported, but are not performed nearly as well on that disc as on this one. "Rapunzel" is played at its proper tempo on Live in Chicago, unlike on Listener Supported where it is slowed down to a snail's crawl for some reason. "Stay" is performed on Live in Chicago without the Lovely Ladies (the band's backup singers that frequently perform live with them), and so Dave is left to handle what is normally a five-part vocal all by himself....and he nails it beautifully. If you're not a fan of the backup vocalists that play with DMB, this is the show for you.

It's important to remember that Listener Supported, by DMB standards, is a rather lackluster show. The only reason it was even released is because PBS (the network that broadcast the show in its entirety in a televised special) intended to release it with or without the band's approval, so the band decided to jsut go along with it rather than fight it. live in Chicago, however, is a band-selected performance that shines throughout. This is the first live effort to include the song "The Last Stop," and to hear this performance of this song is worth the price of the disc alone. It also has the rarely played and previously unreleased "The Maker." Do yourself a favor and buy this album. You WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!

With many people cringing at the release of Everyday (I am not one of those people), and its subsequent "pop-like" feel, the release of Live in Chicago gets us back to old school DMB. With more than 4 songs topping the 9 minute barrier, this is Dave and Co. at their best: jamming. Though there are songs on this album that have been released live before, the mixing job by John Alagia brings something new to these tracks. For example, Stefan's bass is more prominent on these songs, giving them a tight feel. Also, the entire set has Tim Reynolds playing, who always makes the songs that much better. Add that to special appearences by Maceo Parker, Victor Wooten, and Mitch Rutman, and you have the makings of a special set.

I have had this show on cd for a couple of years (due to trading of course), and when I listened to the new cd it sounds like a completely different set (especially on Lie In Our Graves, where Boyd's violin playing gets incredibly subtle; this is not apparent on the pre-mixed version of the show). There are some great gems on this disc, most notably The Last Stop, The Maker (which is an incredible song by Daniel Lanois that Dave covers beautifully), and Lie in Our Graves. All in all, a great live cd that we have come to expect from DMB, and I recommend it to all, davehead or not. You just have to appreciate brilliant musicians to appreciate the show. (Hopefully the next live release will have some Lillywhite Sessions on it, because I am sure the entire Dave community is anxious for that).

This is the first album that I bought. Well, second. I bought Everyday and my younger brother bought live Chicago at the same time on the way back from Myrtle Beach (traveling back to Ohio). We listened to Everyday maybe once and listened to this album almost nonstop. This was the first time that I heard DMB besides Space Between (the song that got me into the band is now one of my least favorite songs).

Last Stop is really good on this album, great energy. Don't drink the water is great, but I still think that Folsom Field has the best version of it (Folsom Field also has the best version of All Along the Watchtower - the ending is absolutly stunning, you've gotta hear it!) The song that stands out is #41. This song is my favorite upbeat DMB song, it's so smooth, and Victor Wooten guest stars and rips some phat solos on the bass. If you play bass, buy this album! This version of #41 far surpases all other version, just read the reviews. It's hot! Chrah is great, too. It's one of the better versions. Tim Reynolds play on most, if not all of the cd. So, if you play electric guitar, buy this album. It's hot!

All Along the Watchtower is a very good version, one of the best, and Too Much has so much energy. This is also the only cd where you can find the Maker.

Conclusion: This cd highlights the first 3 releases. It has less of a pop sound and more of a jazzy, bluesy, and rock sound.

If you want a cd that has a great collection of songs that include the more poppy stuff (digging a ditch, space between, big eyed fish, when the world ends, I did it, if I had it all) as well as some of the most energetic upbeat stuff (Don't Drink, Warehous, AATW, etc.) - buy the Folsom Field cd (one of the best -maybe better the Chicago, it has more catchy songs, but the good songs of Chicago outshine most every other album).

If you want the most expansive collection minus two staples (#41 and Crash) get the Central Park Concert. 20 songs, hours of music, possibly the best version of Don't Drink the Water, and the only cd with Cortez the Killer, a bluesy song that is one of the best guitar solo songs of all time (wicked 11 minute song that does't get old - Warren Haynes stars as one of the best blues guitarists of all time). This cd is in my opinion the best place for a newcomer to start, and an essential album for anyone that considers themselves even a casual fan.

In my opinion the second best live DMB release behind Red Rocks. An electric performance in front of a very different kind of audience, and environment in comparison with Red Rocks. A very strong album, the majority of the album rocks the ground upon which I stand every time I listen to it. For this performance you choose on material and on energy. True many songs are repeated from Listener Supported, but I consider the performances on Live In Chicago to be much more invigorating and exciting. In all a very solid performance from Dave Matthews Band, and a good example of what they would sound like if you saw them now.

LIVE IN CHICAGO is clearly the best live album the DMB has released yet. Throughout, the band shows a great amount of energy wherever it plays, whether it's concert favorites like "What Would You Say," "Don't Drink the Water," and "Jimi Thing." But the highlight of the evening is a ten-minute version of "#41," featuring Victor Wooten on a frenzied bass solo (Vic is from Bela Fleck's Flecktones, in case you don't know). Few bass players have such an immense talent and ability to attack the bass as does Wooten. As with any DMB concert, there is a ton of sax and violin solos, as well as a drum & bass solo scattered throughout.

But I have one complaint: Dave Matthews never does an improvisational solo, NEVER. He just leaves that up to Tim. Though he is a pretty solid rhythm guitarist, his refusal to solo kind of reminds me of Joey Ramone of the Ramones.

Though LIVE IN CHICAGO is a worthwhile purchase, I recommend that you fans of the DMB get into the bootleg trading business. There are hundreds of unreleased DMB shows floating around, ready to be traded. Most of them have good sound, but if you have gotten to the crystal clear fidelity of soundboard recordings, you have to get used to the lesser fidelity audience tapes which have more crowd noise, unless you are lucky to find a soundboard bootleg floating around.

Another thing: Compared to the average DMB show, LIVE IN CHICAGO is short. It has only 14 songs (not counting intros or outros), while the average show runs three hours, takes up 3 CDs, and is has a setlist of over 20 songs.

My final word: Get LIVE IN CHICAGO, but try and listen to the average DMB concert. It's more like the real thing.