I swore that I'd read the whole thing cover-to-cover, scrutinizing for a reason that you might not want to buy this book, and lo and behold, not a damn thing. Nevin Martell has written a very concise, well-done account of the Dave Matthews Band and their rise from Charlottesville sensation to stadium-filling superstars.

I can't think of the last time I used "superstars" in a sentence. Regardless. Moving on.

The book itself, just on the first chapter alone, showcases how well-written it is; Nevin uses a lot of information such as quotes from family and the band itself. In fact, throughout much of this book you'll find tidbits of information straight from the mouths of artists, producers, and the band.

What also impressed me about the book is the listing of every show so far, the "gigography", up to this August's Hartford shows. (I don't know if he actually coined the term; it's just the first I'd heard of it.) I came very close to getting out my highlighter and marking these pages up, but I managed to restrain myself. Seriously. Kid you not.

On a personal level, Nevin also talks about two shows to some length in the book - Roanoke (April 98) and Virginia Beach (June 99) - both big deals in Nanciedom as well (Roanoke being a huge get-together, where I first met Bobo and Pace; Virginia Beach was another of the biggest Nancie meetings to date). So he scored points with me there.

It also didn't hurt that he devotes a portion of the book to the online community, explaining both the Nancies mailing list as well as the Warehouse fan club. He also touches base on B + P trading, which is helpful, since it took me close to a year and a half on Nancies before I mustered the cojones to ask what the hell a B + P was in the first place. Nevin even went so far as to include a list of places online to learn about the Dave Matthews Band, including the Dave Matthews Band Tour Archive, the infamous dmband.com, and even our own kick-ass Nancies.org.

Overall, what impresses me is how he touched base on not just the band and its history, but all other aspects of the band; the online presence, the taping (he includes a list of 10 great Bagbies!), their influence on H.O.R.D.E., and how they maintained a very prominent place in the music industry without changing styles dramatically.

On a sidenote, the Rochester, N.Y.-based band "Tripping Billies" is shown in the book. Now, I'll admit, I haven't seen them live. My only thought is that the lead singer, purported to be a Dave Matthews lookalike, reminds me more of my friend John Roth crossed with Henry Rollins. Which is not a put-down in any means; girls, they love the John Roth man. Regardless. I digress.

I wholly recommend this book. Completely and totally. Had I not received a copy, I would be purchasing my own. And I don't usually buy books. So that should tell you something. Nevin, you did an outstanding job. Congrats on a masterpiece.

shep diggity