The first time I heard The Stone was in the university, trying to smoke my way through the grades. It was at a friend's place, one who favoured jam bands, and I was all for the shindig. I loved DMB, but I had little money to buy a tape that'd cost Rs 125 at that time.
The first thing I remember about The Stone was its eerie but simply superb violin intro. Later, on CDs, I could make out the pull of Stefan Lessard's bass and Tinsley's sax that launches the song into its groove.
Ah, the groove. Six-eight is an uncanny groove, for lack of a better term — eg. Red Prophet, from Milagro — and Carter Beauford does all justice to the eeriness of this one. It builds to a perfect cascade, to descend into a crystalline pool of a chorus with 'I was just wondering if you'd come along…. I love the violin outro as well, is a melody in its own.
Contrary to popular beliefs, this song is FAR from being about a heroin trip.
Dave spoke about 'The Stone' on "The Charlie Rose" show, and pointed out that this song is about his sister, Anne. She was murdered by her husband in Africa. This brother-in-law also committed suicide thereafter. 'Under the Table and Dreaming" is dedicated to Anne.
Dave is reportedly always emotional while playing 'The Stone' live.
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