Widespread Panic

"Widespread Panic has possibly the best live shows as far as their energy goes. Then that energy is throwin to the crowd, if we are getting louder then the band hears it and throws more our way. I love music so much, yet nothing compares to a live concert from amazing bands like WP. Far as Herrings goes, he has filled the shoes of a very talented Houser. He obviously had these songs down prior to this show. There's just dumb people out there like on some of these comments, Either way some folks dont seem to understand how many notes/chords are within each song, "not to mention the improv's in each show. Jimmy Herrings is one of the best to ever pick a 6 string. Great show, also the year I graduated HS!"

"I think Jimmy Herring is the most amazing guitarist to ever play and to say that he's finally learning the songs is rediculous your obviously not a true spread head. you need to open your eyes brother!"

"I think that "Finally" is a rather strong word, Jarrad. How can you say something like that and claim to not be "knocking" him. He is the fucking man. end of story"

"This was the first show I have seen since New Years '97 when they played Ophelia. I thought this was a real Panic show. It seems Jimmy Herring is starting to learn the Widespread songs finally. Not to knock Herring, I love his 'Jazz is Dead' stuff and he nails a "Row Jimmy" enough to make you cry, but Panic songs are not about musical aptitude. They have their own voice that isn't easily translated (since Mike Houser made it from scratch) and it is very colloquial. But Herring is getting the licks right now it seems. You can start to tell on Machine, it gets really tight like early 90's Panic. Great stuff. I agree with the other poster, the future looks bright for Panic if you were a fan of the Panic of old. If they continue to bring Herring into the fold and teach him the proper way to play the songs, the way they played them for years, the band will be able to rediscover all of those memories, as well will we."

"You just had to be there!! This was "the one"..!!!!"

"There are alot of very good "jam" bands out there but there is only one that causes sheer PANIC!"

"I agree with the last post!!!! It wasn't too long ago I had that very conversation with a friend........I have seen Jimmy in many different venues and with many different A+ groups.......He has always had a spark about him ! If you know much of the history of Panic and Herring you will see that he has finally found a home!!!! I for one can't wait to see what the future holds!!!!!!!!!!!! "

"I lsten to this band waaaaaaaaaay more than I have any business doing as an adult(heh,heh),and I have observed the evolution of these songs after Jimmy came on.This band is on a level that it has never seen before(sorry, Mikey fans).It is not even close.I'm glad to see Jimmy finally being appreciated for what he does.He has resurrected this band.And then some.Happy New Year,all! "

"Fuckin' Herring.That man is a goddamn musical genius.There has never been a more duck's ass tight show than this played by Panic to date.Jimmy is on another planet,and he's taking everyone with him. "

"Finally got the discs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Still wondering what the fuck!!!!!! Talk about a push!!! Damn!! Just check it out!!! Flat out awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"wasn't sure if the show was gonna end!!!!! what a way to end(and begin a great year. the "up all night" was perfect; and the chilly sandwich in the 3rd set. once again, thanks for a great year boys!!!!!!!"

"Jump on board people...........There's a revolution coming!!!!! They are quietly taking the reins!!!!!!"

"what the fuck was that??????!!!@! I have never seen the like!!!!"

"wow! my face is still on the stage! absolutely excellent. i couldn't of asked for a better way to start my new years. panic you are my love. there was so much energy and the songs were just amazing. finally got to hear blue indian and let me tell you i went crazy! and ending with red hot mamma... man what a dream come true! i do have to admitt though... i wanted jb to count down for me but aint life grand and chilly water made up for it! cant wait to see yall again! "

"Good show, but best NYE EVER?! (Let alone best WP show EVER!!) Was anyone besides me awake and listening at NYE '98? If you we not there, go get the pre-FM broadcast recording and reconsider! (Grand Puba has it as a .flac file.) Philips vs. Fox might automatically preclude any NYE show(s) from ever topping the fabulous '96, '97 or '98 runs...but I'll still rock out anyway, because it still rocks! God Bless Widespread Panic!"

"due to the fact that life happens, i have been unable to attend a live show since the turn of the century. i live vicariously through these show recordings, stories from folks who were there and the posts i see on this site and others. that said, this is the best nye show that i have heard in years. total energy. hope to catch these guys in the flesh in the coming year."

"JB, if you read this, DO IT AGAIN."

"Another great end to another great year. Both shows were superb. I thought this show really took off during the Machine and through the Worry to the end of the second set. The third set is simply off the hook from the beginning. I don't think I have ever heard a better Time Is Free, and any encore with Pilgrims and Red Hot Mama is going to set me up right. Thanks for the music!"

"Sorry people that say the 30th was better. Great show....lots of intensity...great crowd...well played....!!! ... BUT!!!..... NYE was simply the shit!!!!!! The band was high and mighty and I ought to know.......I went to school with them in Athens and saw many a bar tab explode for them in thier early years....Very proud and have always said to the wannabeees......get a grip.....don't be too serious 'cause the shit will bite you!!!! NYE was played on a different level....Period!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Hey Wooly ~> To each, their own, and don't get me wrong the 30th was a verrrry strong HOT show ... esp. love the 'Durty Bizz' bustout, but it was the 'TYS> Walk On> North> Papa's' that was PURE HEAT .... 'Ribs' was slip-slidin' psychedelic bliss/madness, oh & the 'Fixin' freight train -wow- meant that the Sunday night WP "Revival" was in full effect ..... 'Slippin' was dark and naaasssstty as ever w/ EXCEPTIONAL playing & interplay, but it was one of my all time fav's that brought the house down ~> "R O C K" was incredible, ethereal and just plain siiiiickness. .... back to the 'don't get me wrong'-part, the 30th was quite HOT - agreeeed w/o arguement at all ..... but to say it was better than the 31st ?!?!?! Surely you left your mind at your hotel room during the NYE show - NYE, 1st NOTE TO THE LAST NOTE, WAS SIMPLY, AS GOOD AS "IT" GETS WITH PANIC -period- .... it was out of this f'ing world in comparison .... IMHO, that is. It seems like I am faaaaaar from the only one to disagree, but at least you got what you wanted/needed and that is all good with me !"

"12/30/ was the better show!!!! "

"Protein drink > sewing machine > conrad Nuff said."

"We couldn't go to hotlanta to see, but sat "up all night" to listen on Sirius. I could see them on stage in my mind. What a way to end the year. Kudos to all you lucky dogs that got to be there. Can't wait to see them again. I need my Panic fix!!!! "

"Yeah, I've definatly never taken that much L before. It was the most explosive time of my life. Fuckin awesome show."

"Well, that was my first of many New Years to come with the Panic. It was hands down one of the most intense shows I have ever been to and what a great crowd. The boys were on and I finally got the Blue Indian I've been missing. "Life during Wartime" and "Chilly Water" were great highlights for me. See ya next year."

"Overall a great Panic trifecta! North was my personal favorite from the weekend. Up all night is a weak song, but other than that each song was right on."

"Took two Panic virgins the second night, left with two changed souls, the girl (19 yrs. old) cried during Pilgrims 'cause she thought it was the last song and said it was the most beautiful song she'd evr heard. Got back to Alabama and spent over an hour burning my Panic collection for those two. It was a life-changer. Best ever! It was my third New Year's and number 20 overall, and the best ever!!!! Thanks, guys, and thanks to the best crowd ever."

"This was unreal this year, it was the crazy rave circus prom under the sea, Pilgrims was an awesome encore and 2nd set was just unbelievable, see yall next year "

"I am still scratching my head........DID THAT REALLY HAPPEN??!!"

"That shit was ridiculous...my ears felt like they were bleeding they rocked so hard, great way to start the new year"