Widespread Panic

widespread panic

Track Listings

1. Send Your Mind

2. Walkin' (For Your Love)

3. Pigeons

4. Mercy

5. Rock

6. Makes Sense to Me

7. C. Brown

8. Love Tractor

9. Weight of the World

10. I'm Not Alone

11. Barstool and Dreamers

12. Proving Ground

13. Last Straw

Widespread Panic,Widespread Panic,Warner Bros / Wea,American Trad Rock,Jam Bands,Rock,Southern Rock

Widespread Panic

Choice Cuts: The Capricorn Years 1991-1999

Average customer rating:

Choice Cuts: The Capricorn Years 1991-1999
Widespread Panic
Manufacturer: Volcano
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music

Southern Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

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Live at Roseland Ballroom
Live from Austin TX
Listen My Friends! The Best of Moby Grape
Three from the Vault
Learning to Crawl

ASIN: B000QEIM8C
Release Date: 2007-07-03

Tracks:

Travelin' Light
Chilly Water
Love Tractor
Weight of the World
Papa's Home
Ain't Life Grand
Blackout Blues
Rebirtha
Aunt Avis - Vic Chesnutt, Widespread Panic
Blue Indian
Climb to Safety
Surprise Valley
Pickin' Up the Pieces [Live]
Pigeons [Live]

Average customer rating:

#1 Widespread CD
Fantastic first album
great album
check this out too
delightful, bueno studio album

Space Wrangler
Widespread Panic
Manufacturer: Volcano
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music

Southern Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Ain't Life Grand
Widespread Panic
'Til the Medicine Takes
Everyday
Light Fuse, Get Away

ASIN: B00005ABKS
Release Date: 1994-05-26

Tracks:

Chilly Water
Travelin' Light
Space Wrangler
Coconut
Take Out
Porch Song
Stop-Go
Driving Song
Holden Oversoul
Contentment Blues
Gomero Blanco
Me and the Devil Blues/Heaven

Amazon.com essential recording

Built on a solid foundation of Southern rock but given a contemporary spin that places them in the vanguard of current jam bands, Widespread Panic take an obvious respect for the past and turn it to their advantage as they plot the sound of the future. Space Wrangler is the album that started it all for Panic, introducing loose-limbed rhythmic excursions such as "Coconut" and trance-inducing jams like "Travelin' Light" and "Chilly Water" on an album initially released in the Atlanta area on the Landslide label. The 1992 reissue, courtesy of Capricorn, comes complete with three bonus tracks--"Holden Oversoul," "Contentment Blues," and a likely unprecedented combination of Robert Johnson and Talking Heads tunes on "Me and the Devil Blues" and "Heaven." --Daniel Durchholz

Customer Reviews:

#1 Widespread CD.......2007-06-27

I recently crushed my foot(broken in several places) and have been recooperating with the help of W.P. Although I have been heavily medicated most of the time this is still some of the greatest music I have ever heard. I've been a Widespread fan for a while, but until recently I have only owned 3 of their CD's. In the last month I've purchased every CD they have. They just get better and better. I can't wait til I break something else!

Fantastic first album.......2006-11-04

This album was originally sold as cassette tapes at concerts. It finally came out as a CD around the same time as the second CD in 1991. Two bonus tracks were added to the CD. It is now 64 minutes long.

The sound quality on this CD is very good. It is hard to believe that this was originally a low budget, independent recording.

This is just a fantastic collection of hard driving, Southern rock songs. It is hard to describe and is not like other southern rock music.

The band plays with remarkable maturity and confidence. They establish a new sound and proudly play it.

This CD, and their second CD (simply called Widespread Panic) are both jaw-dropping, fantastic albums. On both CD's the band is a quartet that has a complex, but stripped down sound. It is the perfect sound for their hard driving style and songwriting.

After this album, the band would add a permanent percussionist and keyboardist. While they may be necessary for a live show, these additions really hurt the band on their studio albums. None of the following studio albums would even come close to the greatest of the first two albums.

great album.......2006-07-31

This is by far my favorite WSP album. The only song I don't really care for is "Contentment Blues".

The additions to the album "Me And The Devil Blues/ Heaven" is a great addition. They're one of the best tracks on the album.

If you've heard Widespread Panic and like what you've heard so far you need to get this album.

check this out too.......2006-07-08

I am a big fan of rootsy, acoustic rock with some jam band style, but not too much jam band style. This album is a fantastic treat that consistently delivers great music, song after song. If you enjoy this album and are looking for some similar albums then I recommend the following:
1) Beneath These Fireworks by Matt Nathanson
2) Good To Be Here by Ernest Goodlife Band
3) 1972 by Josh Rouse

delightful, bueno studio album.......2006-05-28

Space Wrangler is easily one of the best studio album from a jam band, ever. How this has gone under the radar for so long is beyond me. I borrowed this sucker and went out and bought a copy immediately. Space Wrangler is an album you'll want for summer nights. It has splashes of blues, jam, rock, and these really cool guitar and bass parts that are a trademark of Widespread Panic. There is a ton of variety in the songs too. Songs like Coconut remind me of Jack Johnson, although a bit jammier, and Porch Song remains one of my favorite songs ever. The song lengths are nice and average, which makes sense as this is a studio album.

The live renditions of these songs are good too, so check out some of the band's earlier live albums

Average customer rating:

Widespread Rules!!
Nice rebound.
An awesome original Panic album
PANIC stricken from that moment on...!
ain't life grand- widespread panic

Ain't Life Grand
Widespread Panic
Manufacturer: Volcano
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music

Southern Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Space Wrangler
'Til the Medicine Takes
Widespread Panic
Everyday
Light Fuse, Get Away

ASIN: B00005ABJA
Release Date: 1994-09-06

Tracks:

Little Kin
Ain't Life Grand
Airplane
Can't Get High
Heroes
Raise The Roof
Junior
L.A.
Blackout Blues
Jack
Fishwater

Customer Reviews:

Widespread Rules!!.......2007-06-27

Nice rebound........2006-09-29

Released in 1994, this is Widespread Panic's fourth CD. It is 56 minutes long, but there is about 3 minutes of silence in the middle of the last track. The sound quality is very good. The album sounds much better than the previous album. Credit should go to John Keane who produced the album and plays on some of the tracks.

Widespread Panic put two excellent albums, where they were mostly a quartet. These albums had excellent, hard driving southern rock type songs. They were distinctive and the interesting.

On the third album, Everyday, the group expanded to a sextet. There sound became muddled and muted. It was more like their live act, where everyone is playing at once, whether or not they should be. Many on the songs sounded indistinquishable. And then there was the addition of John Herrman's piano playing that consisted of pounding the keys and sounded out of place in many parts.

On this fourth album, Ain't Life Grand, the group reverts back to the sound on the first 2 albums. The production and mix are brought under control. It all sounds great and you can really enjoy the band.

There is quite a bit more variety and experimentation on this CD. There are some accoustic tracks. Jack sounds similar to Marshall Tucker.

Almost all of the songs on this CD are very good. And there is some excellent music to accompany them. And, you can really hear the playing.

The last song, Fishwater, is really only about 4 minutes long. It is followed by 2 minutes of silence and then a really nice acoustic guitar piece. It is excellent and I don't know why it was hidden at the end of the CD.

The only downside is the cover of Can't Get High. It has got to be about the worst song Widespread Panic has ever done. It is just a bad song from all angles. It is poorly written and poorly performed. For some reason, it is one of the songs that got the most airplay.

I think this is the last really good studio album from Widespread Panic. Future albums would revert back to that muddled sound. All of the albums do have some great songs, and some great playing. It is just none of them are good from start to finish.

An awesome original Panic album.......2006-07-17

This was probably the second album I'd ever listened to from Panic but as with the first album ('Till the medicine takes) I was blown away by how awesome their music is...which has prompted me to go to as many shows as I can get to. I would highly recommend this cd toany panic fan and even those who have never heard their music.

PANIC stricken from that moment on...!.......2006-04-28

This was my first WSP purchase. When it was first released back in '94 I bought it even though I hadn't heard any of their music yet. But I remember hearing "Little Kin" for the first time while reading Col. Bruce's whacked liner notes (my first introduction to him, too) and knowing right then and there that I was hooked!

Twelve years and numerous shows later, plus having since bought everything else they've put out, this one is still my favorite. "Jack", "Blackout Blues" (especially great for listening to while skiing!), and the title track are standouts that rank at the top of my list.

There's not a dud track here. If you don't have it, get it! While you're at it, check out some Col. Bruce and/or the ARU, too!

ain't life grand- widespread panic.......2004-09-23

With their fourth album, Widespread Panic shows the world how music is really made. The album "Ain't Life Grand" takes music to a new level. Guests like John Keane (who recently composed the music for the tv show CSI), David Blackmon(who has also worked with Jerry Reed), Adrienne Fishe and Ronnie Gizmo (who play with Cool Joe Funky Soul Symbols) also had a part in the making of this album. With hits like "Ain't Life Grand", "Heroes", "Can't Get High", "Fishwater", and "Airplane", this album is already promising of a good time. John Bell belts out amazing lyrics that anyone can relate to and Dave Schools rips it up on the bass. Everyone should just do themselves a favor and buy this album today.

Average customer rating:

Kirk
Wonderful Can't get enough
Who's this "Phish" I hear so much about....
Local Normalcy
A "MUST-HAVE" for any fan

Light Fuse, Get Away
Widespread Panic
Manufacturer: Volcano
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music

Southern Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Space Wrangler
Ain't Life Grand
'Til the Medicine Takes
Widespread Panic
Everyday

ASIN: B00005ABJI
Release Date: 1998-04-21

Tracks:

Porch Song
Disco
Diner
Wondering
Love Tractor
Pilgrims
Space Wrangler
Travelin' Light
Pickin' Up the Pieces
Conrad

Tracks:

Papa Legba
Rebirtha
Rock
Greta
Barstools & Dreamers
Impossible/Jam
Drums
Gimme
Pigeons

Amazon.com essential recording

"You gotta see 'em live" is the last defense of nearly every band who can't make a decent studio album. Widespread Panic, however, is one band whose studio efforts--such as Space Wrangler and Ain't Life Grand--have been quite good but still pale in comparison to this two-CD concert souvenir. That's hardly a surprise, given that the group thrives more on touring than album sales, but it's still a treat to hear songs like "Porch Song," "Disco," and "Rock" energetically leap from the speakers. Extended jams like "Diner" "Greta," "Barstools and Dreamers," and "Conrad" achieve new heights, while Panic, renowned for their treatment of occasional cover tunes, don't disappoint here, with worthy takes on J.J. Cale's "Travelin' Light" and the Talking Heads' "Papa Legba." Light Fuse Get Away is funky and expansive, leaving an aftertaste somewhat similar to that of a terrific (albeit much shorter) live album from a generation earlier, Little Feat's Waiting for Columbus. --Daniel Durchholz

Customer Reviews:

Kirk.......2006-05-11

New Widespread Panic fan here. I've been listening to this daily for the last 3 weeks and think it's incredible. I listened to 1 WP cd probably 10 years ago and didn't really care for their sound at the time but gave them another try last year and very glad I did. This is my favorite release so far. Favorites (tough thing to do) : Gimme, Pigeons, Love Tractor. Of course Porch Song, Space Wrangler are great but I was already hooked on those before I got this CD. I think this is great sampling of their sound and highly recommend it.

Wonderful Can't get enough.......2006-02-19

I purchased this CD about 6 months ago and in that time i have probably listened to it over 150 times. I had been lightly exposed to panic during my high school days, but when I attened college I made a good friend who was a huge fan of panic. he introduced me to them in detail and since them I have fallen in love with them and especially the late great guitarist Michael Houser. HOuser had a very unique style that had a ligerning effect due to the delay which he always used in his rig.I have read reviews here that say that john herman's keybaords are sub-par in my opinion this is far from the truth. Herman I beleive has a wonderful style using organs and keyboards much in the way of former GRateful Dead keyboardist Brent Mydland. The highlights of these disks in my opinion are Space Wrangler, Impossible and Greta. The jam at the end of Space Wrangler is the best example of Houser's ability to blow your mind with his unique style and just make you want to boogie. the intro to impossible is head shaking hard rocking music that just sets up for another great tune. In my opnion if you are interested in this cd buy it before another panic cd to have some feel for the majesty of thier live shows.

Who's this "Phish" I hear so much about...........2005-12-27

When I hear the word jam band, the two groups which first come to mind are Phish and the Grateful Dead. While the Dead exist in a league of their own, I own Phish Live Albums and this Panic album, and I quite easily pick the latter over the former. This Panic cd simply has the soul and energy that I find Phish lacks, and the music is accessible while being unique and engrossing. Wanna dive into the jam band scene? Start with this Panic cd. You won't be dissappointed.

Local Normalcy.......2005-09-22

Widespread does it again!! They release another live album that is so crunchy, you forget it is the same as the many other live cd's they have that play the same songs, just like Dave!!! Even though I have every 'spread concert, excuse me, show they've played in the past four years in my twiggy new I-pod, I would totally pay 25 bucks to get the same songs, but on another cd. These Georgia boys do it again, but not really again because its the same as everything else, but again in a way worth spending 25 bucks. Keep on Truckin' 'spread, like Trey or the Dead, don't worry about being too monotonous, you're too crunchy for that.

A "MUST-HAVE" for any fan.......2005-05-02

Excellent representation of their live shows. It rocks! A definite must-have for any panic fan. Buy this one before any of the the others (if it's your first purchase), it has great songs from many of their albums.

Average customer rating:

Widespread Rules!!
New direction---muddled sound
Panic's best
One of the best
Spring 1993, it all began

Everyday
Widespread Panic
Manufacturer: Volcano
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music

Southern Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Space Wrangler
Ain't Life Grand
Widespread Panic
'Til the Medicine Takes
Light Fuse, Get Away

ASIN: B00005ABJF
Release Date: 1994-05-26

Tracks:

Pleas
Hatfield
Wondering
Papa's Home
Diner
Better Off
Pickin' Up the Pieces
Henry Parsons Died
Pilgrims
Postcard
Dream Song

Amazon.com

There's nothing wrong with being a jam band, so long as when the verses and choruses fade away and leave a little space, you can actually deliver the goods. Instrumental dexterity is important, sure, but so are hooks, melodies, and the other elements of pop songwriting. Widespread Panic know this and make use of the knowledge--which is not to say they're out to write radio-ready hit songs. They're usually at their best when they leave themselves some room to wander within a given song, and only one of the numbers on Everyday clocks in at under four minutes. Even when they're determined to go off on extended excursions, though, as on "Hatfield," "Diner," and "Pilgrims," the group makes sure there's something of substance to hold on to. "Pickin' Up the Pieces," for example, is one of the group's loveliest, most laid-back (and, at four and a half minutes, most concise) songs. --Daniel Durchholz

Customer Reviews:

Widespread Rules!!.......2007-06-27

New direction---muddled sound.......2006-09-28

FIRST WITH JOHN HERRMAN (NOT A GOOD THING)

Released in 1993, this is Widespread Panic's third album. It is 60 minutes long. The sound quality is OK, but the is mix muddled and muted at times. At times, the songs become indistinquishable, a lot like their live shows used to be.

Widespread Panic's first two albums were great, easily five star material. They were a collection of hard driving, distinctive Southern Rock songs, with great musical interludes. The sound was bright and clear.

After the first two albums, Widespread Panic went from a quartet to a sextet, adding a percussionist and a full time keyboardist. Previously, they did have percussion and keyboard support, but only when it was needed. Now, Widespread Panic operates under the theory that everyone should be playing at all times.

There are some very good songs on this CD, especially when listened to individually. But, when listening to this at one time, everything begins to sound the same. After awhile, it just becomes boring and tedious.

The CD starts out very good, and there is a good break about one third of the way in with Pickin' Up The Pieces. This song is a complete change of pace and is very refreshing interlude. It is also a great song.

But, the CD then continues along the same muffle lines. There is some great guitar playing, but many times it also gets lost in the mix.

The sound is very much like their concerts used to be. They are great to live, when you are engulfed by the sound and see who is playing what. But, they don't translate well to CD.

This is the first album with keyboardist John Herrman. I think he can really bring down the band at times. Much of the time, he plays the piano in a harsh manner, where he just beats the keys. It is like over the top honky tonk. It really sounds out of place at times, can be harsh and spoil a good song or instrumentals. But, there are other times when his playing does add some significant to a song, especially, when he plays rhythm instead of trying to take the lead.

Their fourth album, Ain't Life Grand, is more successful because the group reverts back to the old sound for the first two CD's. But after that, there would be a whole series of CD featuring this muddled sound with clinking keyboards.

When the lead guitarist died and was replaced, the group's sound changed dramatically to be more like a traditional Southern Rock band.

Panic's best.......2005-02-10

Throughout the nineties, Widespread Panic was one of the leading Southern groove bands. With the success of this album, the band went from playing small clubs to packing arenas and big outdoor venues. This is easily Widespread's overall best album. "Diner" and "Postcard" rank as two of the best Panic songs in their entire catalogue. To this day, this album has not lost any of its appeal, even if most Widespread stoner fans these days stink of b.o. and dance like epileptics on crack... Don't let those people deter you from this album.

One of the best.......2004-07-15

One of the best CD's I have ever listened to. I'll never forget the first time I listened to it and it still sounds as fresh today. This is a story tellers CD. Open it up and hear the story of "Hatfield" or the girl in the "Diner". Learn to be humble with "Pleas". Hit the road to "Wonderin" while you travel from city to city like "Pilgrims" sending out "Postcard" to all your friends. Great CD. Great memories from the 90's.

Spring 1993, it all began.......2003-04-28

Spring 1993. Freshman year at the University of Georgia wrapping up. Spring is in the air in Athens, GA. Friend calls and says that a band called Widespread Panic is playing their school's "Spring Fling." Friend says, "I don't know much about them, but they're from Athens." All I ask is what day and what time!

At the time, Everyday was getting heavy, heavy play in the dorm hall. It began to even drown out the guys who played Jane's Addiction incessantly (not really a bad thing). A drive to Presbyterian College for this WP show was a no-brainer. It was in the Chapel on their campus and only 100 people showed up! What was amazing was that my told me Hootie and the Blowfish were playing in Charleston. They were some new hot band and those in the "know" had driven to that show.

The WP show in the Presbyterian College Chapel was one of the most amazing events I've ever witnessed. This album is a perfect buy for those curious about the band and even those who are WP "Purists" that insist that Everyday is too poppy.

Widespread Panic
Average customer rating:

Fantastic second album

Bring It On Home

Makes Sense To Buy

oh, yeah

This is Helen's Face

Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic
Manufacturer: Volcano
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music
Southern Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Space Wrangler

Ain't Life Grand

Everyday

'Til the Medicine Takes

Light Fuse, Get Away

ASIN: B00005ABL1
Release Date: 1994-05-26

Tracks:

Send Your Mind
Walkin'(For Your Love.
Pigeons
Mercy
Rock
Makes Sense To Me
C. Brown
Love Tractor
Weight Of The World
I'm Not Alone
Barstools And Dreamers
Proving Ground
Last Straw, The

Amazon.com

Widespread Panic is one of the most prominent bands of the ever-growing pool of young southerners whose sound recalls the Allman Brothers and Marshall Tucker bands. With its six-minute songs, Widespread Panic are in no hurry to get their point across. This sophomore release focuses more on interplay between the players and less on traditional song structure than its predecessor, Space Wrangler. Their sound takes on a deeper percussive groove with the addition of Domingo S. Ortiz, who shapes the songs with cowbell and conga flourishes. This title will serve as a rewarding introduction to the band and a new breed of players. --Richard Gowen

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic second album.......2006-11-04

This CD was released in 1991. It was Widespread Panic's first official release, but it is actually their second album. It is 72 minutes long and the sound quality is very good.

This an album of fantastic, hard driving, Southern rock songs. It is not like any other band and it is hard to describe. But, every song is great and every song is very distinctive.

At this time, the band was still a quartet. They had guest appearances by Domingo Ortiz on percussion and T. Lavitz (Dixie Dregs)on keyboards. But, the band had a cleaner, more stripped down sound.

After this album, Ortiz would join the band permanently and they would add hack keyboardist John Herrman. The bands sound would get muddled and they would lose their direction to some extent. Most of their later studio albums were not that good. But they always put on a good live show.

The first Widespread Panic album is Space Wrangler. It was originally sold as a cassette tape at concerts. A couple of tracks were added, and it was released as a CD. It is also fantastic.

Bring It On Home.......2002-10-23

...LOVE this album. This is one of those in your collection you just keep coming back to over - and over - and over. Eight years after first listening to this it still reeks of Athens, GA sentimentality.

Makes Sense To Buy.......2002-07-31

I bought this album out of the bargain bins back in 91, basically because I thought there name was cool, and it was quite a nice surprise. Panic are a jam band similar to Blues Traveler, The Spin Doctors or Phish, the foursome have taken up the torch from the Almonds and The Dead. Although Panic are not the most famous or successful of the new jam bands they are actually quite good. This eponymous album is their best, including their single best track, the sharp, forceful `Makes Sense To Me', also worthy of note are `Walkin (For Your Love)', `Send your Mind' and `Pigeons'. The band, in spite of its obsessions, makes good hooky rock, and write some fine insightful lyrics. The excessive jamming is kept to a minimum here, making the album accessible to newbies, as well as a treat for fans. Highly recommended.

oh, yeah.......2001-05-31

A friend of mine who had been deaf all life gained his hearing miraculously. He asked me in his Glottal tongue "what is music?" I played "Bumblebee" by Ween and he wept.

This is Helen's Face.......2001-02-28

And its beauty could start wars. This disc can glide like a nymph and then kick down trees just three notes later. I bought this CD the week it was released and have listened to it an average of twice a week since. I'm still learning things.

A friend of mine who had been deaf all his life gained his hearing miraculously. He asked me, in his glottal tongue, "What is music?" I played him the David Schools bass solo in "I'm Not Alone" and he wept.

Tracks:

Surprise Valley
Bear's Gone Fishin'
Climb To Safety
Blue Indian
The Waker
Party At Your Mama's House
Dyin' Man
You'll Be Fine
One Arm Steve
Christmas Katie
All Time Low
Nobody's Loss

Amazon.com

Athens, Georgia's second most popular band does a little redecorating here, tightening up its patented sprawling jams into more manageable soundscapes and adding strings and horns to its already expansive musical palette. While losing some rough edges and quirky spontaneity, Widespread Panic manage to provide an intriguing bridge between the old and new sounds of the South. While the band is quick to shrug off comparisons to the Allman Brothers, there's still a loose rhythmic groove that recalls their Macon forebears, especially on "Climb to Safety," which follows a beautiful loser through his loss of faith and attendant redemption. The dark subject matter is what you'd find in any Southern Gothic, but there's a modern twist, a dash of sinister organ, and some undeniable emotional fire. Unlike some of the other entrants in the jam-band school, Widespread Panic are as likely to incorporate a Black Sabbath lick or a Talking Heads rant into a song as they are to purloin a Grateful Dead riff, proving they're more children of the '70s than just another Southern boogie band. --Jaan Uhelszki

Customer Reviews:

Great Studio Effort.......2006-11-25

The reviewer that trashed it because the other guys contribute vocals is off base. With the exception of The Waker, the boys do a credible job. I think particularly so on Nobody's Loss. Overall, a great Panic release. Being a studio recording it's short on long solos but otherwise a great listen. Fratboy doesn't like Panic at all (see his other review) and his rantings can be ignored (what's tree-hugging got to do with any of this?). If you want to hear some good, earthy, diverse, from-the-heart music, buy this CD.

Appropriate title----their spaciest album.......2006-11-04

THE BEST SONGS ARE ALSO ON CLASSIC CITY.

Released in 1999, this is Widespread Panic's sixth studio CD. It is 54 minutes long, and the sound quality is very good. It originally came in a cardboard foldout case. The cover has a vividly colored bird with a silver, 3-D, almost holographic background. The little tabs that hold the CD in place broke off almost immediately.

This is an appropriate title, because it has some of their wierdest music. It isn't really spacy, like early Dead, but there are some strange parts.

The CD starts out very strong, with the first three songs. Some of it has that distinctive southern driving sound that made their first two CD's so great. However, I could do without that "Spy vs. Spy" chorus on Bear's Gone Fishin'. What is this? Mad Magazine?

From there, the CD goes downhill. There should be a rule that only John Bell should do the lead vocals. The other guys in the group just can't sing. Unfortunately, this CD has more songs with other lead vocalists than any other Panic CD.

Party At Your Mama's House is another boring tedius instrumental. For a jam band, Widespread Panic was never very good at composing instrumentals. There are some very beautiful sections of playing during this tune, but it doesn't hold together as a whole.

This is another example of one of those "singer/songwriter" CD's from a jam band, where the band tries to go after a hit. All the songs are short and in some cases mucically limited.

All the best songs on this CD (like Dying Man) are also available on the live albums, like Classic City. The group does not play the bad songs in concert. I would suggest getting the live albums and just skipping this.

This really grew on me. ok 4 1/2 stars.......2006-05-20

You ever get a new disc that you love and it stays in your changer nonstop for almost a year, then the following 5 years you only blow off the dust and spin it once or twice. This was the oppisite for me, and thats a good thing. My first listen to this I wasn't all that impressed, but somehow I kept listening and kept listening. I now think of this as one of my favorites.

The kind of person that listens to the music doesn't matter on how good the music is. Just because youre a white guy with dreadlocks, who's been to a handfull of Phish shows, and gets junkmail from Greenpeace, that doesn't make you a tree hugging hippie, and definitely doesnt make you any moe a fan of music that "hippies" like. I was going to Dead shows before most of the "hippies" I see at shows today were born, I work for a parks department, but I look like the epitomie of blue collar. My wife works and acts the part, and listens to mainstream radio. The scene is not the music and the music is not the scene.

What the hell is that tree hugger talking about?.......2006-02-02

Widespread Panic: a real band that defines an entire generation of people. Weekend Hippies? What the hell is that guy talking about? Sure there are a lot of frat boys, but they do not claim to be hippies. I think that there is a great, albeit southern crowd at the shows, which is to say that they are a lot cooler than any Phishy Vermont a-holes.

Anyhow, this album is wonderful, like every other album that WSP has released. The chemistry that grew for 15 years between the six members of the band really shows on this album. As it was Mikey's last album with Panic, it will certainly go down in jam band history.

First impressions definitely make a difference! .......2006-01-12

When I first discovered Widespread Panic back in 2001, this was the album I listened to. I was blown away with the first and second tracks, "Surprise Valley" and "Bear Gone Fishin'". It just got better and better as the album went on. Panic might take some cues from their rock n' roll predecessors, the Grateful Dead, Allman Bros. and Talking Heads, etc., but they mix it up into a sound that's all their own. After putting this album on repeat for about a month, I finally got to see them live for the first time in Jackson, MS. I was so impressed with them that I went to the next show in Little Rock, AR and I've been addicted ever since! These boys know how to make music from their hearts and souls(which is rare in this Brittney Spears plastic world)!! Some may say this type of music draws the "neo-hippie" crowd. All I know is that you meet some of best and kindest people in the world at WSP shows. Cheers to friends so near!!

Average customer rating:

Widesread Rules!!
Great WP release!
just relax spreadheads
yes McConnell is coming into his own
Well, a new road sure is true but....

Ball
Widespread Panic
Manufacturer: Sanctuary Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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'Til the Medicine Takes
Ain't Life Grand
Widespread Panic
Space Wrangler
Everyday

ASIN: B00008WT66
Release Date: 2003-04-15

Tracks:

Fishing
Thin Air (Smells Like Mississippi)
Tortured Artist
Papa Johnny Road
Sparks Fly
Counting Train Cars
Don't Wanna Lose You
Longer Look
Meeting Of The Waters
Nebulous
Monstrosity
Time Waits
Travelin' Man

Amazon.com

Widespread Panic's eighth album is a rather grave and ponderous affair. Filled with hippie homilies and philosophical ruminations, it sounds more like Jefferson Airplane circa After Bathing At Baxter's than the Allman Brothers, with whom Panic is most often compared. They do include a few of their muscular jazz-tinged rambles, but more often they're intent on documenting their search for meaning. They every right to try to figure things out after the 2002 death of founding guitarist Michael Houser. His absence affected their sound--Houser's intricate guitar solos were integral--as well as how they recorded the album. Rather than road testing these songs, they went straight into the studio, which resulted in a more strident sound for the band. Panic is a band in transition, attempting to regain its equilibrium, soaring to great heights on the extended jam of "Travelin' Man" and "Monstrosity," but also mining classic-rock clichés on "Tortured Artist" and "Papa Johnny Road." --Jaan Uhelszki

Album Description

Ball is the eighth studio album from Widespread Panic, and the first to be conceived in the studio rather than on the road. WSP has built a rabid fan base through nearly two decades of touring and wanted to give the fans fresh jams for this year's caravan. The fans pent-up desire for new music gave Ball the best first-week sales figures on the band's career. Widespread Panic has visited nearly every state since April of 2003. Dozens of live dates are highlighted by appearances at the Bonnaroo festival, late-night TV including Letterman and Leno, and key retail and radio visits. Ball on DVD-Audio lands right in the middle of another busy touring season. Panic fans have their first opportunity to hear the music they love in surround sound. The original multi-track studio tapes have been carefully crafted into six-channel formb&fans feel like they're part of the jam. DVD-Audio is one more way in which Widespread Panic embraces technology and gives back to those who love the music.

Advanced Resolution DVD-Audio, and Dolby Digital options Stunning 5.1 surround sound Includes Bonus Track Artist Photos Plays on ALL DVD players

Customer Reviews:

Widesread Rules!!.......2007-06-27

Great WP release!.......2006-12-13

I have to admit being a bit biased towards this WP release. I first heard 'Fishing' on sat radio and was instantly hooked. I drove straight to my nearest music store and bought Ball. I loved it from beginning to end abd being my first entry in WP, very intrigued by the "new" band. I really like the way the band mixes musical styles. I have since added many WP cds to my collection, I think Ball holds up quite well. I see only better things to come! My biggest shock was that I had never heard of WP before 2003!!

just relax spreadheads.......2005-11-14

This is my first review ever....(why now?) This cd is excellent and
I feel it is getting shortchanged. This cd is as laid-back cool as
the Eagles in the 70's. And JB adds a real soul-search to "Ball"...
It is a bit mysterious,a bit groovy,a little mature, a little
irrelevant, some spacey undertones, and a country hippy song.
This IS one of my favorite CD's by anyone. It is a creeper cd 'cuz
it really grows on you. To me it suggests that the best is yet to come. good work fellers. This is best enjoyed with a tasty micro, and a campfire and friends.

yes McConnell is coming into his own.......2005-06-28

Saw the boys at Red Rocks this past weekend, first leg of the fall tour, several years since they've been through morrison, 3 nights, combined classic panic w/ great versions of new songs, fishin was great, smells like miss. was crazy, McConnell looked extremely comfortable this time, smilin' his whole way through - granted he wasn't the composer that Houser was, but MC can take the energy to an extremely high level, maybe even "higher than houser" possibly. Many make the comparison that MC is much more animated than Mikey was, he makes a much more profound connection w/ the audience. This is irrelivant people, there will never be a guitarist quite like Michael Houser. Yet WP as a whole can continue w/o him, just like HE would have wanted. McConnell is a breath of fresh air for the band and the whole community. But I don't like comparing apples and oranges. Point is, panic has evolved and is still evolving, , the boys sound just fine for login' 20 years in the game. It gives me hope, JB sounds great these days, jojo's still goin. Give this album a chance, panic is one of those/only great live bands that can still deliver in the studio.

Well, a new road sure is true but...........2003-12-06

I first saw Widespread Panic performing in a concert on tv one night, and I immediately fell in love with them. But when I went out to buy one of their new cds, I sure was surprised. I popped the cd in and could've sworn I bought the wrong band. It sounded nothing like what I heard on tv. I haven't even listened to it all, and I've had it for months. It sounded like some country guitars and singers mixed in with some latin percussionists or something. I was totally disappointed and have lost all interest in the group unfortunately. I heard somewhere that they had a new lead singer in this album, so maybe thats why is seemed so different to me, but even then, the emotional scar I received after hearing the first few tracks of it has smothered all interest that I once had in them. Maybe 4 decent tracks on the whole album.

Average customer rating:

Widespread Rules!!
Wanna Dance?
A pleaser!
Don't Waste Your Money
Earth to America=Happy Spreadheads

Earth to America
Widespread Panic
Manufacturer: Sanctuary Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Space Wrangler
Ain't Life Grand
Safety in Numbers
Light Fuse, Get Away
'Til the Medicine Takes

ASIN: B000FJA9P2
Release Date: 2006-06-13

Tracks:

Second Skin
Goodpeople
From the Cradle
Solid Rock
Time Zones
When the Clowns Come Home
Ribs and Whiskey
Crazy
You Should Be Glad
May Your Glass Be Filled

Amazon.com

Earth to America marks the 20th anniversary of Georgia's premier road warriors on record (they actually formed in the early-1980s). To reward fans for their support, there's a lot of bang for the buck on this 62-minute recording, including 11-minute space-funk jam "Second Skin," which gets the party started. Sadly, 2006 also marks the fourth anniversary of Michael "Panic" Houser's passing. That year, they added George McConnell on guitar, recorded 2003's Ball, and then took an uncharacteristic 15-month break. For their next effort, the sextet decided to shake up their usual production process by trading John Keane's Athens for Terry Manning's Bahamas-based Compass Point Studios (whose clients include Lenny Kravitz and ZZ Top). Manning also loaned the band Robert Johnson's Dobro for the Canned Heat-meets-Blues Traveler jaunt, "Ribs and Whiskey," another album highlight. Despite the loss of their co-founder, Widespread Panic's ninth studio effort isn't a downer—a thoughtful enterprise perhaps, but not a pessimistic one, as John Bell affirms in the penultimate track, "You should be glad." Fittingly, it's followed by "May Your Glass Be Filled," an adaptation of a poem dedicated to Houser. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews:

Widespread Rules!!.......2007-06-27

Wanna Dance?.......2007-02-22

Put this in your MP3 player, listens a while until it sinks in and let it move you.

Can't wait to see them live @ Langerado (3/11/07).

Love this band, love this album!

A pleaser!.......2007-01-16

I love this album! I am a WP fan anyway, and in this album, the band takes on a fresh new direction. Some people find it too twangy and off-key, but I think that gives it some extra charm. "Second Skin" is a wonderful song, but it took a few listens to grow on me; though I was instantly taken by the rest of the album (most notably "Ribs and Whiskey"). While I love the style of this album, I hope their next albums continue to reinvent and take on new creative directions, rather than follow in the country/bluegrass sound of this one.

This is an excellent CD for WP fans, and for music lovers! I can't wait to see the Earth to America tour this spring!

Don't Waste Your Money.......2006-09-08

Not even producer Terry Manning's Bahamas- based Compass Point Studios could salvage this "train-wreck" of a CD. Eight of "E2A"'s selections are forgetable songs the band performed on their 2005 Tour. Second Skin( 24 times), Goodpeople(23 times), Solid Rock-a Dylan cover-(16 times), Time Zones(16 times), When the C(l)ow(n)s Come Home(17 times), Ribs and Whiskey(37 times)- which was first performed way back on 11/90, You Should Be Glad(24 times) and May Your Glass Be Fiiled(15 times). So their loyal fan based- "spreadheads"- have already heard this material. Creativity and originaltiy are tossed out the window. If this is the best the band has to offer, maybe they should to talk to their financial consultants- retirement is straight ahead.

Earth to America=Happy Spreadheads.......2006-08-05

A fantastic album that fails to disappoint. Not a bad track on it...WSP and Jam band fans in general will love this disc.

Average customer rating:

Something isn't quite right
Once upon a time..
Grat rock, not enough soul
panic fan
not the best Panic...but awesome nonetheless

Bombs & Butterflies
Widespread Panic
Manufacturer: Volcano
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music

Southern Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

'Til the Medicine Takes
Ain't Life Grand
Widespread Panic
Everyday
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ASIN: B00005ABJD
Release Date: 1997-02-04

Tracks:

Radio Child
Aunt Avis
Tall Boy
Gradle
Glory
Rebirtha
You Got Yours
Hope in a Hopeless World
Happy
Greta

Customer Reviews:

Something isn't quite right.......2006-10-07

THE BEST SONGS ARE ALSO ON LIGHT FUSE, GET AWAY.

Released in 1997, this is Widespread Panic's fifth CD. The sound quality is very good. It is 49 minutes long, but the last 4 minutes of Greta is just a very annoying scraping, buzzing sound. The CD originally came in a cardboard foldout case.

There is something that is not quite right with this CD. The production values and engineering are very good. I think it is that the compositions are just not very good.

This is one of those singer/song writer albums that every jam band puts out. Everyone wants to do an American Beauty (Grateful Dead's landmark album). Moe had Dither, String Cheese Incident has One Step Closer and Phish had Picture of Nectar. They were all failures.

To make a singer/song writer album, the group usually brings in an outside producer. This producer than molds the album around his vision, instead of the band's. It usually doesn't work.

John Keane produced this album. He also produced the previous Ain't Life Grand, where he was very succesful. I think that with Ain't Life Grand, he made the album better by cleaing up the sound, but not interfering with the group's artistic vision. On this CD, Bombs & Butterflies, he might have too much influence.

It also sounds like the group is trying to copy others. Aunt Avis sounds like LA country rock by someone like the Buffalo Springfield or Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Happy, is an Allman Brothers type instrumental, but is not very interesting. Many of the songs are along the standard Southern Rock music style. You Got Yours sounds like it has a little Deep Purple mixed in. Greta has a Pink Floyd like opening.

The album does have a very good sound. The playing and mix are excellent. He also contained John Herrman's keyboard playing so that really enhances the songs, instead of detracting from them.

But, the songs just are not very good. And the best songs, Rebirtha and Greta are on the live CD Light Fuse, Get Away and Tall Boy is on Classic City. You could get those and skip this CD.

The worst songs, Aunt Avis and Hope in a Hopeless World were written by someone else. The group should stick to performing their own songs, or JJ Cale songs.

If you are new to Widespread Panic, get the live CD Classic City and then get the first two CD's, Widespread Panic and Space Wrangler, which are fantastic, five star albums.

Once upon a time.........2002-03-22

..Widespread Panic was a group still in the process of finding their own sound and trying to keep the spirit of southern rock & roll alive. Though they hadn't developed into the distinct entity they are today, though their singer had a tendency to sound like Gregg Allman at times, they built a good following on the strength of albums like this. And though they've done better albums since.. Bombs & Butterflies is still a heck of a fun listen.

One spin of the opener "Radio Child" should rub out any notion that these guys are an ordinary southern-rock band. And if public opinion hadn't tossed so many jam bands into the "Phish wannabe" pile, WP might be just as well-known right now. There's flat-out rock ("Tall Boy," "Radio Child"), some quiet-but-not-sappy moments ("Glory," "Aunt Avis") even a.. well, happy instrumental ("Happy"). This is an album for sunny spring & summer afternoons, a spirited bunch of tunes that'll make those miles on the highway go by before you notice. Pick this one up if you've already heard Don't Tell the Band and Til the Medicine Takes.. or if you just want something a little more focused than the marathon Light Fuse & Get Away. If you like that southern sound the Allmans do so well, though, any one of them will be just fine.

Grat rock, not enough soul.......2001-03-25

Being one on Widesread Panic's earlier releases this album features more of a classic rock theme with more basic chord progressions and arrangements than their more recent releases. Looking back with 20/20 hindsight it is easy to tell that at this point the band hadn't quite come into their pinnacle of songwriting that they have now. Of course, with this album Widespread Panic continues the true rock and roll tradition that seems to be underground at this point. A great album for those who love rock.

panic fan.......2001-03-02

i read a couple of the reviews and was disapointed. I didnt wont somebody to get discouraged by them. this cd like all other widespread panic cd's really does have geat music. This music is truely for music listners. I myself am into a lot of crazy jazz and african music. of course to like this id have to like rock. But i think that theses gays are really good. i have a pretty good music ear to. these gays know how to jam. every player forces great power into this music. their live music is even better. Its ten times better than most of the modern rock you hear on the radio. Yea i agry this isnt their best cd gut i think any panic cd is great. If you like this i garanty you'll like the others.

not the best Panic...but awesome nonetheless.......2000-05-19

I was initially introduced to Widespread Panic through listening to a bootlegged live show, so the first time I listened to an actual studio album of theirs, I was quite surprised. The songs actually had beginnings and endings! Having seen them live since then, I can honestly say that they are twenty-thousand times better live. Still, they are awesome in the studio too, and Bombs is my favorite studio album from them. From the keyboard driven driving rock of "Radio Child," to the laid back "Aunt Avis," and "Hope in a Hopeless World," this album is a perfect representation of Widespread Panic even though it is not a live album. The album still contains several jams, but they're simply shortened ("tall boy" and "rebirtha" for example). Personally I think that if you're going to buy a Panic album, get the live CD Light Fuse Get Away, as it shows the band off at their best. However, Bombs is a great CD as well, and serves as a great introductory Cd to those unfamiliar with the band.

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