Widespread Panic - Their best album?


I'd heard a couple of their tunes when I used to live in Chicago years ago and seem to remember I liked them. Don't remember which tunes though.

And even though I say album, I mean cd. If any are HDCD I'd also like to know that as well. Thanks.
perfectionist

Showing 1 response by 6stringsling

For their live albums, I would recommend "Live in the Classic City" (3 disc set recorded over April 1-3, 2000). Excellent! Also, give a listen to "Light Fuse, Get Away". I believe this was recorded in 1998.

As for as studio albums go, "'Till the Medicine Takes" and "Don't Tell the Band" are worthy listens. I have them all, but these are my favorites.

I am a huge fan and have seen lots of shows in the South/ Southeast. The live recordings have an unbelievable energy and urgency. Every live show is different. Lead singer John Bell changes lyrics regularly. Solos are usually spontaneous, but they do have something to say. Not just a bunch of mindless noodling.

Studio recordings are good, but Panic is a live band. All of the more recent studio albums(from "Ball" onwards) are without original Panic cofounder/ lead guitarist Michael Houser. He passed several years ago secondary to pancreatic cancer. His style of playing and writing is irreplaceable. The band has had several guys try to fill the void, but to no avail. They are a different band these days. Still incredible, just different.