The Best of What's Around Vol. 1

The Best of What's Around Vol. 1 is a compilation album by Dave Matthews Band. It was released on November 7, 2006 through RCA Records. Despite its title, it is the only greatest hits album by the group. The first disc consists of tracks from the band's first six studio albums, while the second disc consists of previously unreleased live recordings. The album sold 65,000 copies in its first week, earning the number 10 spot on the Billboard 200. It was certified Gold on February 1, 2007.[1]

The Best of What's Around Vol. 1
Greatest hits album by
ReleasedNovember 7, 2006
Recorded1994–2006
GenreRock
Length127:42
LabelRCA
Bama Rags
ProducerJohn Alagía, Steve Lillywhite, Glen Ballard, Stephen Harris, Mark Batson
Dave Matthews Band chronology
Weekend on the Rocks
(2005)
The Best of What's Around Vol. 1
(2006)
Live at Piedmont Park
(2007)

Background

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In July 2006, an email was sent out to members of the Dave Matthews Band's mailing list, informing fans that a compilation was to be released in September, and they were asked to choose 10 of their favorite live songs (and their specific dates). The 10 most popular live songs were to be featured on the second disc of the compilation; however, only eight tracks are featured on disc two. With the rising popularity of the band's latest live release, Live Trax Vol. 6, the compilation's release date was pushed back to November 7, 2006. Inside the CD case of Live Trax Vol. 6 an advertisement for The Best of What's Around Vol. 1 was featured, incorrectly claiming that "Where Are You Going" was to be among the studio tracks appearing on disc one, and that the album was to be released on November 6, not November 7. Sony BMG Music Entertainment released an advanced billing of the album, also incorrectly claiming that it was to feature a live version of "The Dreaming Tree."[2] A third disc (entitled the "Encore CD") featuring four additional live performances was made available to fans who pre-ordered the album, and later received a wider release for an additional cost.

Cover art

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The album's cover art, designed to look like a concert ticket, features several hidden references:

Track listing

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Disc one – studio
No.TitleWriter(s)Original releaseLength
1."The Best of What's Around"Dave MatthewsUnder the Table and Dreaming, 19944:16
2."What Would You Say"MatthewsUnder the Table and Dreaming3:42
3."Crash into Me"MatthewsCrash, 19965:16
4."Too Much"Crash4:22
5."Rapunzel"
  • Matthews
  • Lessard
  • Beauford
Before These Crowded Streets, 19986:00
6."Crush"MatthewsBefore These Crowded Streets8:09
7."So Right"
Everyday, 20014:40
8."The Space Between"
  • Matthews
  • Ballard
Everyday4:03
9."Grey Street"
  • Matthews
  • Tinsley
  • Lessard
  • Moore
  • Beauford
Busted Stuff, 20025:07
10."Grace Is Gone"
  • Matthews
  • Tinsley
  • Lessard
  • Moore
  • Beauford
Busted Stuff4:38
11."Hunger for the Great Light"
Stand Up, 20054:21
12."American Baby"
  • Matthews
  • Tinsley
  • Lessard
  • Moore
  • Beauford
  • Batson
Stand Up4:35
Total length:59:09
Disc two – live
No.TitleWriter(s)Recording date and venueLength
1."Don't Drink the Water"MatthewsJuly 16, 2005 – Sound Advice Amphitheatre, West Palm Beach, FL6:31
2."Warehouse" (with Rashawn Ross)MatthewsJuly 2, 2006 – Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, WI10:57
3."Say Goodbye"MatthewsJuly 5, 2000 – Comerica Park, Detroit, MI9:26
4."Stay (Wasting Time)"
  • Matthews
  • Lessard
  • Moore
July 19, 2003 – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Selma, TX6:23
5."Everyday" (with Vusi Mahlasela and Rashawn Ross)
  • Matthews
  • Ballard
June 17, 2006 – Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY10:27
6."Louisiana Bayou" (with Robert Randolph)
  • Matthews
  • Tinsley
  • Lessard
  • Moore
  • Beauford
  • Batson
June 26, 2005 – Nissan Pavilion, Bristow, VA7:24
7."Ants Marching"MatthewsMarch 26, 2005 – State Theatre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia7:36
8."Two Step"MatthewsJune 11, 2001 – Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ9:50
Total length:68:34
Encore CD (pre-order bonus disc)
No.TitleWriter(s)Recording date and venueLength
1."Minarets"MatthewsAugust 31, 1995 – Great Woods, Mansfield, MA8:29
2."#41" (with Béla Fleck and the Flecktones)
  • Matthews
  • Tinsley
  • Lessard
  • Moore
  • Beauford
April 20, 2002 – Corel Centre, Ottawa, ON32:10
3."What You Are" (with Rashawn Ross)
  • Matthews
  • Ballard
June 16, 2006 – Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY9:08
4."The Last Stop"
  • Matthews
  • Lessard
June 20, 2003 – Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Darien, NY10:33
Total length:60:20

Notes:

  • All tracks on disc two and the Encore CD (except "Minarets") feature Butch Taylor.
  • "What You Are" and "The Last Stop" are featured as bonus tracks on the iTunes Store release of the album.

Notes

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  1. ^ Gundersen, Edna (2006-11-16), "'NOW 23' opens at No. 1", USA Today, volume and issue unknown:01d
  2. ^ Dave Matthews Band – Antsmarching.org – downloads forum setlists tour dates trading database shn download artwork Archived 2006-10-11 at the Wayback Machine