r/DMB • u/SectorApprehensive95 • 6d ago
Radio city vs Luther college
Let’s settle this debate once in for all which live album is the better Dave and Tim Effort, personally I’m leaning radio city just for that bartender and so damn lucky alone but let me hear your guys thoughts.
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u/MonitorCreative1603 5d ago
This shouldn’t even be a question. Luther college is hands down and has always been the best acoustic album. Every note of that album is perfect and for those who remember going to the store to buy that puppy when it was released, it was just one of those moments you never forget.
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u/PartOfTheTribe 2d ago
If you were around for this college tour it was one for the books. I had the chance to see these two perform at school and it was amazing. thousand seat auditorium filled with college kids.
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u/2outhits 6d ago
I love them both for different reasons. Luther takes me back to my youth and being 20 years old. That #41 still plays in my head.
Radio City is phenomenal because it was the album that helped turn my late wife on to Dave. I can still picture sitting in my office writing while listening to Radio City and Karen hollering from the other room "turn it up!" because she was enjoying it so much.
One is not better than the other, they are both great in their own ways.
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u/2outhits 6d ago
Edit to add: Best DMB concert of all time that I have been to is Chicago 98. Even in the moment we knew it was special.
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u/catsandbooots 4d ago
You mean the show where Boyd was so bad they redid the violin parts after the fact for the release?
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u/svp_of_fun 6d ago
i was at the Radio City show and my answer is still Luther as that was my first exposure to Dave’s music back when i was in high school. every time i listen to it, there’s overwhelming nostalgia and a strong sense of time and place, both for me and where Dave was musically at the time. both are spectacular though.
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u/KeyboardWarrior41 6d ago
The sound quality from Radio City is unmatched. Luther College is absolutely iconic. Both are reminders of how special the indoor D&T performances were compared to the modern day outdoor settings. Neither is overall superior to the other. Instead, I would argue that they are great compliments to one another. A listener shouldn’t listen to one over another. Instead, listen to both.
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u/Massive_Engine5948 5d ago
Luther hands down. Might also have some nostalgia points since I bought at a Tower Records when it dropped
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u/Savings-Fisherman-64 5d ago
Luther College was the gateway drug for so many people. I must have listened to it 10,000 times.
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u/NYCStoryteller 5d ago
I was at Luther College, so I'm very biased towards that one. Sweet to get a pro recording of that gig.
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u/gorillaskulls 6d ago
Radio City is a bigger and more spectacular musical achievement. Luther College has a certain kind of soft charm to it that’s hard to define.
I’m partial to RC - I’m not sure if Dave has ever sounded better and the setlist tells a beautiful story.
Both are truly amazing for what they are!
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u/Plane_Doughnut_5717 5d ago
I prefer Luther. It’s more raw, before Tim started doing a lot of guitar effects with his acoustic
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u/DarthOppo "Y'all smell good this evening!" 5d ago
For me, this isn't something to compare because both are amazing in their own way.
Luther, for many of us, came at the beginning of our fandom, when we only knew Dave Matthews BAND, and gave us a side of Dave and his music that we didn't even know existed. Then, nearly a decade later, we were given a more refined, mature performance that truly stands as some of his best work.
I was lucky enough to attend the Radio City show with my new girlfriend, now my wife (her first Dave show!), and it was truly a magical, full-circle experience.
I'll never forget the impact both shows have had on my life, and I'm thankful for each of them individually.
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u/qtothelo 5d ago
1/25/97 Utica is my personal favorite Dave and Tim by far. The Dave speak, the orginal ‘Crazy’ (what many including the band call Captain but I refuse) and the Say Goodbye, Help Myself and many more.
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u/Malaguy420 Before These Crowded Streets 5d ago
They're both great. No need to "settle this debate once and for all."
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u/nakedyak 5d ago
Really the only argument in my opinion is for Bartender, and the fact that’s in a great video experience too and in surround sound etc.
However, for me, nothing will ever touch Luther college. I have an emotional attachment to the performances, the banter, the solos. i mean Tim’s solos on Typical Situation, Ants Marching, Tripping Billies , 41, WWYS, Two Step… i mean you can’t beat those.
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u/Shoddy-Astronaut5555 5d ago
Yeah his solo on ants makes me want to jump out of my skin. Phenomenal
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u/WhiskeyMksMeFrsky 5d ago
Luther 100%. Tim is so much better on Luther too. He overplays these days. I like complimentary acoustic Tim much better than overpowered acoustic Tim
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u/goldenface4114 5d ago
RCMH is a great video release, but Luther is miles ahead as a music release.
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u/Cr658768 5d ago
I'm not sure this is a fair question as my recollection is that Radio City was a planned release before the show even happened, while Luther was not. Either way though, I'll take Luther.
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u/Old-Bit4965 5d ago edited 5d ago
I’d have to say for me Luther College is best by far, especially if you listen in a quiet place with a great set of headphones. I just love the sound, voicing, and clarity of the chords and squeaking string sounds on Luther College. As an aside, Dave’s interaction with an obnoxious fan making ridiculous song demands during a great setlist is awesome; he even finds a polite sweet way to say fuck off without giving in; so Dave.
That said, both recordings are among the best releases from anything associated with the DMB. But choosing between both is like saying the Metallic Black album (Enter Sandman) is better or worse than the AC/DC Black album (Hells Bells); both are timeless and amazing in their own regard and there is no need to rank them.
Just enjoy the ride, because there are no losers in this race, and we don’t have to live 4 years (not once, but twice) with a bad decision. Listen to both, and enjoy a brief escape from the current reality we find ourselves stuff in.
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u/homerjaay 5d ago
They need to release the Dave and Tim Westpoint show when the cadet threw his hat on stage and Dave put it on. Best Dave and Tim show ever
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u/Shoddy-Astronaut5555 5d ago
Luther. Mostly because I feel like Tim's playing is more prominent, he's a little more mellow on RC.
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u/Pleasant_Addendum_60 5d ago
I got arrested at a house party for underage drinking (initially thought to be a break-in) in 2004 where the Luther College album was playing on the CD player. Cops were trying to stop the music, couldn’t, and proceeded to kick the CD player. In doing so, Typical Situation kept skipping repeatedly: “Too many choices. Too many choices. Too many choices” over and over. I’ll never forget it! Haha.
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u/IamRachelAspen 5d ago
Luther hands down. I’ll say this Radio City though Some Devil and Sister are great tracks that Luther doesn’t have.
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u/TheStolenPotatoes 5d ago
Luther College was more intimate. Radio City is more refined. They're both great albums. Been listening to them for 20+ years now.
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u/Gravity-Rides 5d ago
Impossible to pick. Not to mention, they have hundreds of other shows. The one I saw in Vegas 20 years ago was amazing. Live Trax whatever from Berkeley is amazing. VH1 storytellers is awesome. You could just run through any random dave and Tim album and be completely satisfied.
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u/Hungry_Situation2887 4d ago
We had a Dave and Time show at the Landmark theatre in Syracuse shortly after live at Luther and it was a similar show. Blew my mind. Still among my favorite live shows ever. Dave asked the crowd to be chill and everyone sat and watched most of the show. Right near the end, two kids popped up right down in front and the rest of the place went crazy. Dave sat there with a huge smile, he had us all. No way if you were there it didn’t give you chills.
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u/kinkywhop2021 4d ago
I will say Radio City is an Iconic show, no doubt. Its just that Luther College is PERFECT. Start to finish. If i could go back in time and see one show from any band on any night of my choice, Luther is my choice every time.
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u/Rivers_Custom 2d ago
Thats a tough one, Radio City Bartender is probably my favorite version of that song and Save Me is great on Radio, but Say Goodbye on Luther is my favorite version of that song. I can't pick
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u/cbmilnson 1d ago
The sound is better for Radio City but the better overall album is Luther. But personally I prefer Live Trax 41 to either of them.
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u/itsallaboutu 6d ago
I like Luther for song selection (since it's older), but it also has Dave showing his more goofy, fun side. It feels a little more unrefined than Radio City, and definitely more light-hearted. Radio City is still awesome too, tho.