Widespread Panic Another Joyous Occasion CD

/Dirty Dozen Brass Band.
Engineers: Danny Friedman, Brad Blettenberg.
WIDESPREAD PANIC: John Bell (vocals, guitar); Michael Houser (guitar, background vocals); John Hermann (keyboards, background vocals); Dave Schools (bass); Todd Nance (drums); Domingo S. Ortiz (percussion).
THE DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND: Roger Lewis (soprano saxophone, baritone saxophone); Kevin Harris (tenor saxophone); Efrem Towns (trumpet); Revert Andrews (trombone); Julius McKee (sousaphone, bass); Richard Knox (keyboards); Terence Higgins (drums, percussion).
Personnel: John Hermann (vocals, guitar, keyboards); John Bell , Michael Houser (vocals, guitar); Roger Lewis (soprano saxophone, baritone saxophone); Kevin Harris (tenor saxophone); Efrem Towns (trumpet); Revert Andrews (trombone); Julius McKee (sousaphone); Richard Knox (keyboards); Terence Higgins (drums, percussion); Todd Nance (drums); Domingo Ortiz (percussion).
Audio Mixers: John Keane; Billy Field.
Photographers: Thomas G. Smith; Michael Sheehan; Flournoy Holmes.
After the success of its first live album -- 1998's Light Fuse, Get Away -- and after parting with longtime label Capricorn Records, Widespread Panic self-released this album comprised of live tracks from its 1999 summer and fall tours. The band's greatest strength has always been its live shows. Vocalist John Bell's expressive ad-libbing coupled with the powerful percussive sounds generated by Domingo S. Ortiz and Mike Houser's searing guitar riffs keep loyal fans on the road. The problem with this album is the addition of 1999 touring companions the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. What began as an interesting infusion of brass sounds turned into a discordant attempt at jamming. The Dirty Dozen players just add clutter to Widespread Panic's already full sound. There are a couple of exceptions. The rousing version of the Stevie Wonder classic "Superstition" is enhanced by the Dirty Dozen's soaring horns, as is the jazzy rock of "Weight of the World." For the most part, each song is improved by the brass players, it's not until the post-song jam that things fall apart. This album offers a glance into the creativity and inspired moments that can take place during Widespread Panic's live show, but it also demonstrates what can go wrong. For a more accurate glimpse of the band's live potential, pick up a copy of the brilliant Light Fuse, Get Away. ~ Carrie Nieman
For the first release on its own Widespread Records, Widespread Panic went with its strengths and released a live set recorded during the band's summer 1999 tour. Like fellow Georgians the Black Crowes, this Athens sextet also took the Dirty Dozen Brass Band on the road to add another dimension to its in-concert sound.
The results are stellar and work particularly well on both the groove-heavy "Fishwater," and the loping, Big Easy feel of "Christmas Katie." The most interesting intersection of these two groups comes on the epic, near 12-minute "Beehive Jam," a swirling instrumental opus that includes plenty of Sun Ra-influenced, free jazz nuances. Interspersed among the six originals included here is an interesting array of covers. A well-traveled band, the range of Widespread Panic's regional influences include Detroit (Stevie Wonder's "Superstition"), New Orleans (Dr. John's "I Walk On Gilded Splinters," Earl King's "Big Chief"), and Jamaica (reggae pioneer Winston Riley's "Arleen").