About
KDTU are best known for their infectious and energetic live performances, which led the group to find a niche of enthusiastic fans among those who celebrate jambands such as Phish and Widespread Panic as well as progressive jazz groups such as Soulive and Medeski, Martin, and Wood. Some members of the Tiny Universe are also involved in the funktronica/Nu jazz group 'BluSirkut', and also in the funky jazz band 'On The One'.
KDTU are road warriors. They spend the majority of any given year touring the country, most frequently in the West and Northeast but usually hit most cities along the way. They can also be found performing at numerous music festivals including Bonnaroo, High Sierra, Berkshire Mountain, Austin City Limits, and the Yggdrasil Festival.
In addition, KDTU has released two albums, a self-titled album in 1999 and The Bridge in 2002.
Band Members
Bandleader, saxophonist, and main vocalist Karl Denson recorded with rocker Lenny Kravitz on his first two albums, Let Love Rule and Mama Said. After numerous world tours with Lenny, he parted ways seeking to pursue his jazz roots. This included recording four jazz albums on the German Minor Music recording label in a variety of configurations from trios to sextets. In addition to touring as a member of Fred Wesley's band he founded the premier San Diego jazz/funk act The Greyboy Allstars. Notably, Karl Denson also appeared in the 1988 movie, Coming to America, starring Eddie Murphy, as the saxophone player in the fictional band Sexual Chocolate, which features Murphy as singer Randy Watson.
Trumpet and Flugel Horn player, Chris Littlefield, is based out of Seattle and replaced Andy Cleves in 2001. As an established artist and composer, Chris has worked with recording artists such as R.E.M., Chuck D., and Lee Oscar and shared the stage with countless other well known artists. Chris incorporates heavy use of effect processing as a new aesthetic for his instrument. Reminescent of Miles Davis and Randy Brecker's (Brecker Brothers) electronic periods, Chris is able to create soundscapes and textures that emulate analogue synthesizers and other electric instruments such as guitar and bass, which he employs extensively in the group 'BluSirkut'.
Guitar player, Brian Jordan, has been the guitar player for “Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe” (since 1999) and “Motherlode”, Brian has also performed in projects with Zigaboo Modeliste of the “The Meters”, Greg Errico and Cynthia Robinson of “Sly and the Family Stone” and Stephen Perkins of “Jane’s Addiction” to name a few. Brian has also shared the stage and swapped licks with many luminaries such as James Brown, Dave Mathews, Lenny Kravitz, Bob Weir, The Allman Brothers Band, Fred Wesley, and Dr. Lonnie Smith.
Bass player, Ron Johnson was first approached by Karl in 1997 before the Tiny Universe was born. However, he had to decline because of another project. Of course, when the phone rang again in 1999 Ron happily joined the group.
Keyboard player David Veith has been with KDTU since it's inception in 1999. David has a studio in San Diego and has scored and produced several soundtracks for major films, most notably of which is his involvement with BluSirkut on the feature documentary 'Meeting David Wilson'.
Drummer John Staten joined KDTU in 2002 and also tours with his own band, 'On the One'.
External links
Band Members
* karldenson.com
* Brian Jordan
* Chris Littlefield
* Ron Johnson
Associated Bands
* greyboyallstars.com
* Karl Denson Trio
* BluSirkut.com
* ontheone.com
Because of Her Beauty
Karl Denson's Tiny Universe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you would do it again
You do it for her
That is to say
You'll do it for him
Keep your stance wide
As you're moving forward
Balance is the key
Right foot, left foot
Now go even faster
And as you're moving backwards
Keep your eyes on me
Keep my stance wide
Good
Keep my body lowered
Right!
As I'm moving forward
Concentrate!
Don't you want him to live?!
Right foot, left foot
Yes!
But put your whole body into it!
Everything you have
Everything you are
You've got to give4
On the battlefield
When everything is chaos
And you have nothing but the way you feel
Your strategy, and a sword
You just think about the life you'll have
Together after the war
And then you do it for her
That's how you know you can win
You do it for her
That is to say
You'll do it for him
Deep down, you know
You weren't built for fighting2
But that doesn't mean you're not
Prepared to try
What they don't know
Is your real advantage
When you live for someone
You're prepared to die
Deep down, I know
That I'm just a human
True
But I know that (I/you) can
Draw my sword and fight
With my short existance
Good
I can make a difference
Yes, excellent!
I can be there for him
I can be his knight
I can do it for him
You do it for her
Okay, now do that again
Yes, m'am!
You do it for her
And now you say
I'll do it for him
The lyrics to Karl Denson's Tiny Universe's song "Because of Her Beauty" appear to be somewhat self-explanatory upon first listen, but upon closer inspection, they reveal a meaningful message of self-sacrifice and dedication. The song appears to be sung from the perspective of a military commander or a trainer giving lessons to a young soldier. They encourage the soldier to keep their body lowered and their stance wide, to move forward and keep their eyes on them, and to put their whole body into it as they march forward. All of this is done in the name of protecting someone special, either a loved one or a country, and doing whatever it takes to ensure their safety.
The most striking aspect of the lyrics is the message of selflessness and sacrifice. The soldier is encouraged to give everything they have and everything they are, to risk their life in battle, and to keep fighting even when it seems hopeless. The message is clear: true heroism is not measured by skill or bravado, but by the depth of one's commitment to the greater good. The commander repeats the refrain, "You do it for her, that is to say, you'll do it for him," emphasizing that the soldier's efforts are not just for themselves or for their loved ones, but for the greater good of a cause or a community.
Overall, "Because of Her Beauty" is a powerful reminder of the importance of selflessness, dedication, and sacrifice. It emphasizes that true heroism is not just about strength and skill, but about the depth of one's commitment to something greater than themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Remember, you do it for him
Always keep in mind that you're doing this for him, and you'd do it again
You do it for her
That is to say
You'll do it for him
By doing it for her, you're really doing it for him
Keep your stance wide
Keep your body lowered
As you're moving forward
Maintain balance by keeping a wide stance and lowered body while moving forward
Balance is the key
Right foot, left foot
Now go even faster
And as you're moving backwards
Keep your eyes on me
Remember to keep your balance while moving faster, even when moving backwards, and stay focused on the objective
Keep my stance wide
Good
Keep my body lowered
Right!
As I'm moving forward
Concentrate!
The instructions for maintaining balance and focus are repeated, emphasizing their importance
Don't you want him to live?!
The urgency of the mission is highlighted, reminding the fighter of what's at stake
Right foot, left foot
Yes!
But put your whole body into it!
The fighter is reminded of the importance of giving everything they have to the mission
Everything you have
Everything you are
You've got to give4
No half-measures, all of your strength, resourcefulness, and determination must be put forth
On the battlefield
When everything is chaos
And you have nothing but the way you feel
Your strategy, and a sword
You just think about the life you'll have
Together after the war
The intensity of the battle is acknowledged, but the fighter is encouraged to focus on the life they'll have with their loved one after the fight
Deep down, you know
You weren't built for fighting2
But that doesn't mean you're not
Prepared to try
Acknowledging one's own limitations, but determination to give it their best anyway
What they don't know
Is your real advantage
When you live for someone
You're prepared to die
The love and devotion for one's loved one is what ultimately gives them the strength and courage to fight and risk their life
Deep down, I know
That I'm just a human
True
But I know that (I/you) can
Draw my sword and fight
With my short existance
Good
I can make a difference
Yes, excellent!
I can be there for him
I can be his knight
I can do it for him
Despite being human and with a limited existence, the fighter is determined to fight for their loved one, knowing that even one person can make a difference
And now you say
I'll do it for him
The final line brings the message full-circle, reminding the fighter of why they're fighting and who they're doing it for
Contributed by Avery N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@GiniWeaver
This is one of my favorite songs of all time!!
@velvetgardenia
Same!!
@nativenuggets76
He’s so good live. The first bonnaroo late night was awesome
@infamousink
lol i’ve known this guy for a few years now, and i just found out that he’s a musician. great song karl!
@circusfreaky3948
That’s amazing and something sugar
@gunxgirl
This song ranks as the #1 tune that I've played on repeat on my iPod-- a high honor! This groove never gets old... Thanks for uploading it here! :)
@threadgillb
I just heard of him on an alternative radio station - he's now on my playlist!
@letstalk3265
Saw these guys at the Byron Bay Blues Festival in the mid-00's in the days when the festival ran for 5 days and you could see nearly all the artists because they played 1-3 times over that time. After seeing them on the first day, had to see them again, then again. They were THAT GOOD. You could not stop moving to these fine musicians and their groove. The only other artists who did the same for me were Hat Fitz (great dirty blues) and then Pete Cornelius & The DeVilles (young fantastic Tasmanian blues guitarist who reminded me of Robin Trower and that's saying something). Great festival.
@NILBOG13
One of my all time favorite Song,This is what real music sounds like.
@Headies111242
Gotta listen to this song multiple times a day Karl is king