First off, I'm not (WAS not) way into Widespread Panic. I had seen them before last night..........the first time I'm guessing was 2003 and I must say they really blew me away that night. A couple of years after that at the now defunct Vegoose Festival in Vegas...........not so much.
Last night a friend worked it so I could get in for free and I had a primo spot right next to the mixing board.
I have to say that I'm really, REALLY glad that I went. What a killer opener of ZZ Top's Waitin' For the Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago and a great way to get the crowd ready to party. From there the band took us on a wild and jaw-dropping ride for the one hour 5 minute first set. I listened to an hour of what would have been a two hour second set and due to a personal rough week medically, then called it a night and went home highly satisfied having heard a solid two hours of mind-blowing tunes.
Jimmy Herring was not in the band the previous two times I saw them. Let me tell you that with Herring on board, this band has elevated up into a heavenly stratosphere level. If you haven't seen them, if you're a fan of the jam band scene (and who here on this website is not?), my advice would be to run, don't walk, and get a ticket the next time they're in town. They are really a LOT of fun and they don't let up the intensity for the duration of the show. Very high energy and a stunning level of musicianship. Instrumentally they are identical to ABB, pre Marc Quinones: Two drummers, two guitars, bass and Hammond/other keyboards, a six piece. I've never been a big fan of John Bell, but even he won me over last night with his vocals and guitar playing.
Herring? He was just off the hook the entire night, I don't exactly know how else to tell you. I was mesmerized from the time I heard him doing some beautiful spacey noodling during the sound check. The crying shame is that even a lot of music fans still have no clue as to who Jimmy Herring is.
I'm not a fan of the Dead spin-offs: Further, Rat Dog, etc. I'm not a Phish fan. I AM a Mulehead, and to me the Mule was the band that in my mind was continuing the tradition of great jam bands after the recent demise of The Allman Brothers Band. I saw the Mule at this same venue for maybe the 12th time only a month ago. After last night I'd have to give Jam Band King title to both Gov't Mule and Widespread Panic. WP is the real deal, and that's a huge understatement.
Glad you got a great show! Here is the stream:
http://www.panicstream.com/vault/widespread-panic-03212015-oakland-ca/
It sounds like you had only seen Panic previously with George McConnell, not with Michael Houser or Jimmy Herring. That is not really a fair way to judge Panic. That is the equivalent of having only seen the Allman Brothers in concert in 1980. You definitely weren't seeing their best work.
Duane Trucks seems to have provide a bit of a spark for WSP on the drums w/ Todd Nance missing the Fall and Spring tours.
Ryan
Nice review rob...it actually gave me the chills. It's nice to hear someone change their view of a band instead of constantly bashing them.
For a scene supposedly built on peace and love, too many "jamband" fans are haters. Just read some of the nasty comments of the stories on Jambands.com.
I agree, Panic always tries to swich things up with different setlists every night of covers, and both new songs and old songs. It's nice to hear from a convert.
Glad you got a great show! Here is the stream:
http://www.panicstream.com/vault/widespread-panic-03212015-oakland-ca/
It sounds like you had only seen Panic previously with George McConnell, not with Michael Houser or Jimmy Herring. That is not really a fair way to judge Panic. That is the equivalent of having only seen the Allman Brothers in concert in 1980. You definitely weren't seeing their best work.
Duane Trucks seems to have provide a bit of a spark for WSP on the drums w/ Todd Nance missing the Fall and Spring tours.
Ryan
Thanks for the link! You are correct, I heard them with George McConnell. He's not bad but he's not Jimmy Herring (who is?) Also, thanks for the positive vibes, tfhello.
well alright Rob, sounds like you caught a good one the other nite, glad to hear it for them boys from Athens, GA. (you got any tips for Bay Area stuff between now & Tue 3/31? I'm out in the area for work).
I have not followed or searched out reviews of them lately, but have wondered how there was not more talk on here about WSP after Derek's brother Duane took up the drummer's spot for Todd last fall. talk about being thrown to the lions!! but it seems as if he's got a handle on it, must be in the genes... and i fthat three song punch of opening tunes don't get ya right, then i don't know what might. ZZ> Space Wrangler??!! gimme!!!!!
jealous here, as you got a coupla my favs, even if they are not as rockin, but always WSP staples to me:
C.Brown & Mercy (ummmmm Mom's Kitchen)
looks like Schools had a good time out as well (Dave's been a Sonoma County resident for a few years now.), as the taper broke the second set down from Mercy > Fishwater. Always good to hear the reports from afield, esp the positive ones!!
Set list from the 3rd show of the run in Oakland (and just about the right time of the tour to guarantee they are firing on all cylinders):
Widespread Panic
Fox Theatre
Oakland, California
3/21/2015
1st Set
01 JB Greeting
02 Waiting For The Bus >
03 Jesus Just Left Chicago >
04 Space Wrangler
05 Tall Boy >
06 C Brown
07 Dyin’ Man
08 *The Poorhouse Of Positive Thinking >
09 Good People >
10 Jam >
11 Conrad The Caterpillar
2nd Set
01 North
02 Sharon >
03 Aunt Avis
04 Cotton Was King
05 Mercy >
06 #Jam >
07 #Bass And Drums >
08 #Drum Solo >
09 #Bass And Drums >
10 #Jam >
11 #Fishwater >
12 #Red Hot Mama >
13 #Fishwater
Encore
01 Tuning/Crowd
02 Expiration Day
03 D’yer Maker
04 Cream Puff War
* First Time Played
# With Sikiru On Talking Drum
downsouth: Here's some suggestions for this weekend. Check PM's I'll give you my cell #.
Dana Fuchs is at Biscuits and Blues in San Francisco on Saturday night, 3/28, a 10:00 PM show. www.biscuitsandblues.com. You should call and make a reservation, 415-292-2583. Tickets are $35. All I know about her is: 1. She killed it in the film Across The Universe. 2. She did a Janis Joplin set @ The Mule's NY Eve show maybe four years ago and really nailed the Janis stuff. I'm planning on going to this..............she NEVER comes to the Bay area, at least not that I've ever heard of. I may or may not have a lady friend meeting me at the show, she hasn't confirmed yet. You'd be welcome to join us, she's just a friend and she may be bringing another female.
2. If you're more inclined to stay in the south Bay (where I live), that same night, 3/28, sax player Nancy Wright is at The Poorhouse Bistro in San Jose, www.poorhousebistro.com. Poorhouse shows are early, 6:00 - 10:00 and there is never any cover. It's somewhat of an unwritten rule that you spend $$$ on food and drink and put something in the band's tip jar. It's authentic Cajun food and it's quite good and reasonably priced. Lots of good craft brews on tap. I scoped it out for you and the San Jose Sharks hockey team is NOT at home that evening. The arena is one block from The Poorhouse and when there's a Sharks game their fans completely take over the restaurant and there is no place to sit. Nancy Wright has played with tons of people, some quite big, for 30 years and she smokes on the horn.
3. You said you're here until 3/31.............I don't know if you're flying out that day, sounds like you are. But if you're here that evening there is a GREAT triple bill put on by The Silicon Valley Blues Society at 6:30 PM at Camera 12 Cinemas in downtown San Jose. Cover is a ridiculous $5.00. Lineup:
A: Tebo's Howlin' Wolf Review: I've seen Tebo do this Howlin' Wolf review............he's a true bluesman, plays bass and guitar and sings.........the cat is great and he's got a great band.
B: JC Smith Blues Band (CD release party). For some strange reason I've never seen JC but he's a Bay area dude and everyone says he's great. Singer/guitarist.
C: Albatross: The Music of Peter Green featuring Dave Gonzales and Sammy Varela. My friend Julie saw this band only a few weeks ago and she said they REALLY tore it up. Dave Gonzales and Sammy Varela are smoking guitar players from the San Jose area; I've been listening to Sammy for 30 years. I've never heard this band but I don't know how it couldn't be really, really good.
Catch this one if you can!! I'm going with my buddy Dave, you'd be welcome to join us.
[Edited on 3/24/2015 by robslob]
thanks for the info Rob. not sure i'll be in SF Sat, but the 3/31 show sounds very good. i'm leaving Wed 4/1 at the crack of dawn. i will send a pm later. peace!
I'm glad to hear that Duane Trucks is doing well in his new gig. I haven't seen them with Duane, but he is a great drummer and much better than Todd, in my opinion.
Apologies to friends and family of Todd Nance, but I don't know if any band has ever GAINED so much by losing an original member.
