Customer Reviews

Space Wrangler

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I guess it is about time I buy another Widespread Panic CD. I've just about worn this one out. But, I've enjoyed it so much that I'm a little gunshy in buying one of their new CD's. Afraid I might be disappointed. Panic was such a refreshing althernative to the grunge rock that dominated the scene in the late 80's. Their cool laid back style had many well springs. The Allman Brothers come immediately to mind. But, these are no imitators, they have a style and energy all their own. The music covers a lot of ground, picking up on a number of pleasant riffs, including those of John Coltrane. One of the Allman Bros' favorites as well. I can't say I have a favorite on this CD, since the songs fit together almost seemlessly into an extended jam sesssion, which is perfect listening for a lazy afternoon, musing on such songs like "Coconut." This CD includes some additional tracks like "Holden Oversoul," which stretch out the listening experience.

If you're new to WSP, maybe you need to start with the band's second, self-titled release which is an absolute jewel. You can sense the potential the band has on "Spance Wrangler" which comes to fruition on "Widespread Panic." "Light Fuse...", "Til the Medicine Takes" and "Widespread Panic" are essentials for any music lover. The version of "Space Wrangler" will disappoint you if you've ever heard the live version. There are several great tracks and a couple of so-so tracks here, also. If you're a died in the wool Spreadhead, you must own this album.

As John Bell (JB) croons on "Contentment Blues", a new addition to the Capricorn release of "Space Wrangler", "I love my chicken" you know you've stumbled upon some Southern-fried goodness that would make a certain Colonel roll over in his grave! There is something to be said for a band that can sing songs about all-American subjects such as baseball, cold beers and fried chicken. Yet the complexity of the jams far exceeds the intentional simplicity of some of their lyrical concepts.

In the canon of Widespread Panic, "Space Wrangler" is perhaps most often mentioned as the favorite album. And with good reason - it contains quintessential Panic material including "Chilly Water", the title cut, and "Porch Song" which includes the refrain "Havin' a good time/Here today" and has been aptly and affectionately dubbed 'Panic's Theme'. It also contains the first song that the band wrote together - the catchy tune, with a not-so-subtle Grateful Dead influence, "Coconut". Incidently, "Coconut" is played only on special occasions (Halloween, for one) but was a staple of old live performances. Not to be overlooked on this album are the incredible renditions of J.J. Cale's "Travelin' Light" and all-time country blues legend Robert Johnson's "Me and the Devil Blues". Panic friend David Blackmon accompanies the boys on fiddle just in case you had forgotten some of their roots.

Anyway, if you want something that tastes good, this is a real treat. Mmmm..."my chicken tastes good".

In the last decade Space Wrangler has transformed college kids musical tastes across the country more so than any other album out there. Panic takes you to another world of good, rockin, dreamy music on this CD. While Panic's live shows are legendary, this album has a different sound and feel than their sound live. But seriously whether you lived down south or not this is one of the classic albums of today's age. In twenty years this album will be still getting lots of playtime from future generations. All tracks are top notch, not really a bad song on the whole disk. Music sounds excellent but the recording comes off as garage like, which I enjoy very much. The band is still together today strong as ever with thier constantlive touring. This is their finest studio effort and is a must own for anyone looking to hear something new and different. This album sounds as good today as it did when I first heard it in 89. Meanwhile regular pop music continues to move further away from "true music" One thing Panic will always stand for.

If you've ever driven through mountains on a crisp fall day or traveled cross country looking for the perfect music for the moment, don't look any further than Space Wrangler. This is an absolute classic southern Dead-type jam band that will keep you going back for more with every listen. This is a perfect album from start to finish with gems like "Traveling Light", "Stop Go", "Porch Song", and "Coconuts". The album is a wonderful mix of acoustic and electric that is perfect for the bluesy southern rasp of front man John Bell. If you're older and like the Dead or younger and into Phish, you owe it to yourself to buy this masterpiece.

Recomendations can sometimes leave one less than impressed. That was the case for Widespread Panic's Space Wrangler. Having a music lover for a father and father's day means only one thing--buy the old man a CD. But what to buy? He has everything he wants. After telling the clerk my dad was into Dire Straits, Steely Dan, stuff like that, the clerk handed me Space Wrangler saying "if he likes that, he'll love this". A year later, I borrowed the dusty CD and experienced a musical revelation. Space Wrangler's tracks begin innocently enough and then build into tightly-knit, guitar-led jam explosions that have reinvigorated the scene since it's release. Space Wrangler's tracks uniquely meld elements of rock, country, blues, blue grass , and jazz to create the sound now familiar to fans of Panic shows everywhere. Panic anthems like the title cut and "Travelin'Light" are featured. The drum-driven "Coconuts" and the blusey "Me and The Devil" are personal favorites. A solid CD from top to bottom, Space Wrangler is not only a must have, its a must play.

This album was originally sold as cassette tapes at concerts. It finally came out as a CD around the same time as the second CD in 1991. Two bonus tracks were added to the CD. It is now 64 minutes long.

The sound quality on this CD is very good. It is hard to believe that this was originally a low budget, independent recording.

This is just a fantastic collection of hard driving, Southern rock songs. It is hard to describe and is not like other southern rock music.

The band plays with remarkable maturity and confidence. They establish a new sound and proudly play it.

This CD, and their second CD (simply called Widespread Panic) are both jaw-dropping, fantastic albums. On both CD's the band is a quartet that has a complex, but stripped down sound. It is the perfect sound for their hard driving style and songwriting.

After this album, the band would add a permanent percussionist and keyboardist. While they may be necessary for a live show, these additions really hurt the band on their studio albums. None of the following studio albums would even come close to the greatest of the first two albums.

This almbum still rocks after all these years. Driving Song is absolutely amazing. There are too many good songs on this album.

The sweet blend of guitar driven rock and country "porch" music leaves the listener both pumped up and completely relaxed. The lead singer's vocal style reminds one of a growling man left to the tortures of the road. Indeed, lyrics such as, "the leaves seen through my windowpanes remind me that it's time to move my life again, " embody the travelling spirit of the tunes on this album. A must listen, all the songs are great, but Coconuts and The Driving Song are special treats.

This is the ultimate compliment for a band in this genre: the CD is as good or better than the band's live performances. Even my favorite jam band, Phish, can't make this claim about their studio discs. The spot-on production, the spacey overall atmosphere, the killer lyrics, the amazing tunes all make this the best of the best from a band that has never disappointed with any of their offerings from the studio. Driving Song is as close to perfection as a song gets for setting a mood and transporting a listener. Their lyrics overall are the bset since Robert Hunter. Other essential albums from the Athens boys are Ain't Life Grand, Widespread Panic and 'TIl the Medicine Takes.