JTR (song)
Encyclopedia
"JTR" is a song by Dave Matthews Band
from their unreleased album, The Lillywhite Sessions
. The song originated from "John the Revelator," a song written by Dave Matthews
with the help from Carlos Santana
. Matthews and Santana wrote "John the Revelator" as a love song about someone calling out to their unattainable lover. The "John the Revelator" lines that originally appeared in the song were suggested by Santana who got the idea from the traditional gospel song of the same name
.
, and three times with the full band and various guests, such as The Lovely Ladies, Béla Fleck
, and the band Santana
. After its final performance in May 1999, the song was taken to the recording studio with producer Steve Lillywhite
in the beginning of 2000. The band reworked "John the Revelator" by changing a few chords, and most notably, dropping a portion of the chorus, which contained the following verse:
Since the title's line was dropped from the lyrics, the band renamed the song to "JTR" and recorded it for the album which eventually became leaked on the internet as The Lillywhite Sessions
.
Although the band never officially released the song, "JTR" began showing in live setlists on the band's summer tour in 2000
. The song became popular among fans and was played live during many shows up until the end of the summer tour in 2001, following the release of Everyday
. A performance of the song was recorded for the live album and video, Live at Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado
, along with many songs from Everyday.
In 2002, Dave Matthews Band went back into the recording studio to rerecord the songs for their album Busted Stuff
, which previously leaked out as The Lillywhite Sessions. According to producer Stephen Harris, "JTR" was abandoned very early in the studio, and therefore did not appear on the album. Following the recording sessions, the song was no longer played live, except for a small tease during a show in 2003. In an interview in July 2004, bassist
Stefan Lessard
claimed that the band agreed that they did not like "JTR," and that it would probably never be played again.
Despite Lessard's comment about the band's feeling towards the song in 2004, "JTR" was once again played live for the first time in over five years during an encore at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
, about one month before the band's summer tour in 2006. The performance was a surprise to many fans who thought the song would never again be played, especially after the comment made by Lessard two years earlier. The song was once again brought back to setlists and was played 17 times during the tour with guest Rashawn Ross
, including one performance where it was the opening song. In response to many fans' comments about how Lessard claimed the song was dead, Lessard posted a bulletin on his MySpace
page saying that he didn't recall saying so, and he was most likely being sarcastic if he did.
After another absence of three years from setlists, "JTR" was once again played live to open the 2010 summer tour at the Comcast Theatre in Hartford, CT, and was part of setlist rotation for the rest of the tour.
, live versions of "JTR" also appears on 2004's exclusive release for members of the Warehouse Fan Association
, as well as the live albums, Live Trax Vol. 3
, Live Trax Vol. 11
, Live Trax Vol. 16
.
Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band, sometimes shortened to DMB, is a U.S. rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. The founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer/backing vocalist Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. Boyd Tinsley was...
from their unreleased album, The Lillywhite Sessions
The Lillywhite Sessions
The Lillywhite Sessions is a collection of songs recorded by Dave Matthews Band in 1999 and 2000 and produced by Steve Lillywhite. The songs, recorded by the band as a follow-up to their 1998 album Before These Crowded Streets, were ultimately scrapped by the band...
. The song originated from "John the Revelator," a song written by Dave Matthews
Dave Matthews
David John "Dave" Matthews is a South African–born American musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band...
with the help from Carlos Santana
Carlos Santana
Carlos Augusto Alves Santana is a Mexican rock guitarist. Santana became famous in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band, Santana, which pioneered rock, salsa and jazz fusion...
. Matthews and Santana wrote "John the Revelator" as a love song about someone calling out to their unattainable lover. The "John the Revelator" lines that originally appeared in the song were suggested by Santana who got the idea from the traditional gospel song of the same name
John the Revelator (song)
"John the Revelator" is a traditional Gospel/blues call and response song. In the chorus, John of Patmos, the traditional author of the Book of Revelation, is writing "the book of the seven seals." At the time of the song's composition , John of Patmos was generally considered the same person as...
.
History
"JTR" began as "John the Revelator," which first appeared live as a tease played twice during a show on November 30, 1998. Afterwards, the song was played in full a total five times – twice in acoustic set by Matthews and Tim ReynoldsTim Reynolds
Tim Reynolds is a Grammy nominated multi-instrumentalist known as both a solo artist and as the lead guitarist for Dave Matthews Band...
, and three times with the full band and various guests, such as The Lovely Ladies, Béla Fleck
Béla Fleck
Béla Anton Leoš Fleck is an American banjo player. Widely acknowledged as one of the world's most innovative and technically proficient banjo players, he is best known for his work with the bands New Grass Revival and Béla Fleck and the Flecktones.-Early life and career details:Fleck was born in...
, and the band Santana
Santana (band)
Santana is a rock band based around guitarist Carlos Santana and founded in the late 1960s. It first came to public attention after their performing the song "Soul Sacrifice" at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, when their Latin rock provided a contrast to other acts on the bill...
. After its final performance in May 1999, the song was taken to the recording studio with producer Steve Lillywhite
Steve Lillywhite
Steve Lillywhite is an English Grammy Award winning record producer. Since he began his career in 1977, Lillywhite has been credited for working on over 500 records and has collaborated with a variety of musicians including XTC, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Dave Matthews Band, U2, Peter Gabriel,...
in the beginning of 2000. The band reworked "John the Revelator" by changing a few chords, and most notably, dropping a portion of the chorus, which contained the following verse:
Since the title's line was dropped from the lyrics, the band renamed the song to "JTR" and recorded it for the album which eventually became leaked on the internet as The Lillywhite Sessions
The Lillywhite Sessions
The Lillywhite Sessions is a collection of songs recorded by Dave Matthews Band in 1999 and 2000 and produced by Steve Lillywhite. The songs, recorded by the band as a follow-up to their 1998 album Before These Crowded Streets, were ultimately scrapped by the band...
.
Although the band never officially released the song, "JTR" began showing in live setlists on the band's summer tour in 2000
Dave Matthews Band tours
Dave Matthews Band tours have taken place since 1991, when the band debuted as a small rock band in Charlottesville, Virginia. Since then, Dave Matthews Band has become internationally known, performing sold out shows at stadiums and large venues throughout the world...
. The song became popular among fans and was played live during many shows up until the end of the summer tour in 2001, following the release of Everyday
Everyday (Dave Matthews Band album)
Everyday is the fourth studio album by Dave Matthews Band, released on February 27, 2001.-Sales:The album did very well in the United States. It opened at #1 with 755,000 copies sold its first week, and stayed at #1 for two weeks. After 25 weeks of sales, it sold over 2.5 million copies. To date,...
. A performance of the song was recorded for the live album and video, Live at Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado
Live at Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado
Live at Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado, also known as Live at Folsom Field, is the fourth live album released by the Dave Matthews Band. It was recorded in Boulder, Colorado at Folsom Field, the football stadium of the University of Colorado at Boulder on July 11, 2001. It was released on the RCA...
, along with many songs from Everyday.
In 2002, Dave Matthews Band went back into the recording studio to rerecord the songs for their album Busted Stuff
Busted Stuff
Busted Stuff is the fifth album by Dave Matthews Band, released by RCA Records on July 16, 2002.Nine of the eleven tracks on this album are re-recorded versions of songs that first appeared on 2000's abandoned project now known as The Lillywhite Sessions. "Where Are You Going" and "You Never Know"...
, which previously leaked out as The Lillywhite Sessions. According to producer Stephen Harris, "JTR" was abandoned very early in the studio, and therefore did not appear on the album. Following the recording sessions, the song was no longer played live, except for a small tease during a show in 2003. In an interview in July 2004, bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Stefan Lessard
Stefan Lessard
Stefan Kahil Lessard is an American musician, most famous as the bassist for the Dave Matthews Band.-Early life:Lessard was born in Anaheim, California, to musicians Ron and Janaki Lessard. After moving a number of times during his childhood, Lessard and his family eventually settled in...
claimed that the band agreed that they did not like "JTR," and that it would probably never be played again.
Despite Lessard's comment about the band's feeling towards the song in 2004, "JTR" was once again played live for the first time in over five years during an encore at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, often known as Jazz Fest, is an annual celebration of the music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana...
, about one month before the band's summer tour in 2006. The performance was a surprise to many fans who thought the song would never again be played, especially after the comment made by Lessard two years earlier. The song was once again brought back to setlists and was played 17 times during the tour with guest Rashawn Ross
Rashawn Ross
Rashawn Ross is an American trumpeter and arranger from St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Ross is arguably best known for his contributions in the Dave Matthews Band. After his graduation from the Berklee College of Music , Ross has worked with artists in many different genres of music ranging from...
, including one performance where it was the opening song. In response to many fans' comments about how Lessard claimed the song was dead, Lessard posted a bulletin on his MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page saying that he didn't recall saying so, and he was most likely being sarcastic if he did.
After another absence of three years from setlists, "JTR" was once again played live to open the 2010 summer tour at the Comcast Theatre in Hartford, CT, and was part of setlist rotation for the rest of the tour.
Live releases
In addition to the performance from the live album and video, Live at Folsom Field, Boulder, ColoradoLive at Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado
Live at Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado, also known as Live at Folsom Field, is the fourth live album released by the Dave Matthews Band. It was recorded in Boulder, Colorado at Folsom Field, the football stadium of the University of Colorado at Boulder on July 11, 2001. It was released on the RCA...
, live versions of "JTR" also appears on 2004's exclusive release for members of the Warehouse Fan Association
Warehouse Fan Association
The Warehouse is the official fan association for Dave Matthews Band. Founded on December 4, 1998, Warehouse gives fan early access to concert tickets, exclusive CDs and merchandise to its members...
, as well as the live albums, Live Trax Vol. 3
Live Trax Vol. 3
Live Trax Vol. 3 is the third release of the Dave Matthews Band's Live Trax series. This concert was recorded on August 27, 2000 at the Meadows Music Theatre in Hartford, Connecticut...
, Live Trax Vol. 11
Live Trax Vol. 11
Live Trax Vol. 11 is a live album by Dave Matthews Band, and is the 11th volume in the band's Live Trax series. The album was recorded on August 29, 2000 at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, New York...
, Live Trax Vol. 16
Live Trax Vol. 16
Live Trax Vol. 16 is a live album by Dave Matthews Band, and is the 16th volume in the band's Live Trax series. The album was recorded at Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio on June 26, 2000...
.