Customer Reviews

Night of Joy

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
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Widespread Panic never fails to generate excitement in concert and this disk is no exception. "Night Of Joy" contains a guest appearance by the Dirty Dozen Brass Band! The disk starts off great with "Thought Sausage" and my favorite song from the newest studio album "Thin Air". While these cuts are relatively short for Widespread Panic the playing is excellent. The disk contains smokin' covers of "Use Me" and "I Wish" which sound particularly funky with the addition of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. The set reaches its peak with longer numbers like "Bust It Big", "Arleen" and a great version of "Rebirtha". New guitarist George McConnell sounds as if he is becoming more integrated into the band's sound and he plays well throughout. I hope sometime in the future the band will release a disk of live versions of the cover tunes they play in concert. The disk shows why Widespread Panic is among the best of the current group of jam bands. Great songs and musicianship as well as good taste in cover tunes make these guys possibly the best Southern jam band since the Allman Brothers Band!

To me Widespread Panic is a live band first, and foremost. I enjoy their studio records a great deal, but to me the music is meant to be experienced in concert. The nine tracks on this CD represent the breadth of the Widespread Panic concert experience augmented once again by The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. As on the previous album featuring DDBB, A Joyful Occasion, the horns seem to deepen the groove of an already formidable rhythym machine. Guitarist George McConnell seems to be hitting his stride within the band, and this CD displays some of his best playing yet to be recorded with the Spread. The sound has changed, but the groove remains.

On their twelfth complete album and fourth live release, Night of Joy, Widespread Panic has raised the bar even higher for the future of jam band rock. The jam legends called on close friends, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, to accompany them once again for a live release, which was no surprise to Panic fans, and certainly earned no complaints.
With a solid nine tracks, this release, more than any other in my opinion, really gives the listener a true feeling of a Widespread experience. Current lead guitarist, George McConnell, shines on his first live album as a member of the Panic family. McConnell became the lead guitarist after the death of Michael Houser in the summer of 2002.
Things begin with the darker "Thought Sausage", which moves right in to the more southern-rock based "Thin Air", which is where the company of Dirty Dozen begins to shine. The Bill Withers classic, "Use Me", could not be any better, followed by the Panic original, "Bayou Lena". The pace restrains somewhat with the previously unreleased "Old Neighborhood".
The highlight for me comes with a newer jam "Bust it Big". JoJo Herman's unique vocals tie in with the catchy chorus, which together should give the J.J. Cale ballad "Ride Me High", a frequent Panic cover, great competition as one of the many party-like fan favorites. "Arleen", which appeared on the last live album, never seems to get old, and a near eighteen minute "Rebirtha" caps everything off with jaw-dropping guitar solos from McConnell.
This was the best thing the Athens, Georgia natives could give their fans during their current hiatus from touring. Eighteen consecutive years of relentless touring around the world led to the current break which could last until 2005. They tour dates may remain empty as of now, but you can count on the "panic" to continue for ages.

Word.
If youre into the Panic, just buy the cd and check if off of the list. Easily a must have. Long jams, vintage live panic sound, raw dog southern guitar, bass, drums,..etc.
If you have never heard the Panic, start with Space Wrangler...and once you have been initiated, buy any of the rest, including this one for sure!!

After 3-4 not-so-good albums, Widespread Panic are back where they should be.
This is the best release since "Light Fuse, Get Away".
Southern rock, something between the old Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers Band with a little touch of J.J. Cale.

A sweet cd proving that George is a force to be reckoned with. 17+ minute Rebirtha is a gem in this one. Arleen is psychadelic as usual. A must have.

I heard them cover Nelly's 'Hot In Herre' joint & I was blown away! It was nice if 'em to do that w/ their own Neptunes beat. Look out 4 Nelly's new album & pick up all his other 2!