Widespread Panic - Live at Myrtle Beach

Genre rock Publisher Sanctuary Records External Links Official Site Sanctuary Records

The term "jamband" makes many music lovers cringe with distaste giving them thoughts of aimless noodling and guitar wankery, but ask the same person about a 20-minute Led Zeppelin performace of "Dazed and Confused" in the late-sixties and they would state it as a masterpiece of rock.

Widespread Panic have never made it to the caliber of Led Zeppelin, although they do explore their song collection in a live setting in the manner of classic rock icons The Allman Brothers Band and The Marshall Tucker Band as well as early era Steve Earle.

On Live from Myrtle Beach the band sound well adjusted after the death of founder and lead guitarist Mike Houser, who's dying wish was for the band to continue without him (this is the band's second live release since Houser's passing). The poingant "Don't Want to Lose You," which is dedicated to his passing, shows up on this live disc. The shoes were big to fill for the Athens, GA-based band that developed a huge concert following in the mid-to-late eighties back when a little known band named Phish used to open for them. But George McConnell (G-Mac to fans) was brought in for his similar tone and style as Houser's and works out quite nicely.

Highlights from this show include the crowd pleasing opener of "Ain't Life Grand" which finds G-Mac stepping up with a couple of strong solos. The focus isn't all on the guitar, the percussion section of Todd Nance and Domingo Ortiz add texture to the songs, making them more captivating. All the while John Hermann's keyboards sound crisp in the mix, adding some toe tapping tone. "Conrad The Caterpiller" and "Dirty Business" are pleasing to anyone who has hopped on the Drive-By Truckers bandwagon over the last few years.

Granted, like all great jambands, Widespread Panic might benefit by shaving a few minutes off of selected songs such as "Dirty Business" or "Papa's Home" (the percussion solo is a good start). The set ends strongly too, with a funky "Bowlegged Woman" which then morphs into the blistering crowd favorite, "Chilly Water." Vocalist John Bell has developed a time tested attitude of stepping back and letting some interesting stuff happen with the band, with mostly promising results here. Making the experience exciting, seeing as how you are not able to tell if you'll get a face ripping guitar solo or an ambient bass and drum groove. Even a non-jamband lover would approve.