Audio CD review:
Widespread Panic - Live in the Classic City

Widespread Panic - Live in the Classic City

Band: Widespread Panic Title: Live in the Classic City Rating: Release Date: 11 June, 2002 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Action Man 2: Chilly Water 3: Pleas 4: C. Brown 5: Little Lily 6: I'm Not Alone 7: One Arm Steve 8: Flat Foot Flewzy 9: Surprise Valley 10: Blight 11: Walkin' 12: All Time Low 13: Mercy 14: Ride Me High 15: Drums 16: Time Is Free 17: Climb To Safety 18: Blue Indian 19: Bear's Gone Fishin' 20: Waker 21: Dyin' Man 22: Stop & Go 23: Hatfield 24: Tall Boy 25: Red Hot Mama 26: Worry 27: Let's Get The Show On The Road

Editoral Review Recorded in 2000 over a three-night stand in their hometown of Athens, Georgia--which proudly bears the moniker of Classic City--this thinking-man's jam band provides something for everybody as they move through a funky R&B groove and pay obeisance to the existential jazz of Sun Ra's search for the "outer nothingness" before coming back to earth to worship at the altar of their classic-rock forebears and evoking the restless spirits of the Doors, the gravity of Deep Purple, and the whimsy of the midcareer Who, all channeled through John Bell's shape-shifting voice. Those relentless road warriors Widespread Panic have brought the fruits of their 18 years of tireless labors to bear in their third live album, Live in the Classic City. But Bell's voice isn't the only thing that transmogrifies through the 27 tracks collected here; these sons of Georgia not only drink deeply from the rock canon, they also conjure the same majesty that inflamed the Allman Brothers, locating a similar loose-limbed groove that makes all their guitar pyrotechnics, deep percussions, and inspired keyboard fills seem effortless, as if guided by a collective ESP. It's a grand representation of one of the most exciting live bands working today. Special guests include former R. E. M. skinbeater Bill Berry, Rolling Stones' keyboardist Chuck Leavell, Randall Bramlett, and the Allman Brothers' Derek Trucks. --Jaan Uhelszki .. You can see a complete list of all Widespread Panic discography, or go back to the Widespread Panic tabs