Following a three-night stand at New Orleans’ Kiefer Lakefront Arena in late October 2000, Widespread Panic made their way to Texas for an appearance on Austin City Limits. This Halloween show, with pumpkins festooned around the stage has long been identified as a memorable performance. Five of the songs the group performed that night were from the 1999 fan-favorite release ‘Til The Medicine Takes while four were drawn from the group’s beloved debut Space Wrangler.
On October 30, New West Records will rerelease this performance as Live From Austin, TX (Redux). As ACL producer Terry Lickona has said:
If you’re among the legions of Widespread Panic fans, you already know that the band is legendary for never playing the same show twice – or the same song the same way twice. What makes this performance that much more special is the inspiring presence of founding member Michael Houser, who died of pancreatic cancer less than two years later. As much as anything, this is a celebration of Houser’s life and the sheer joy he brought to a band that became one of the biggest draws on the international concert circuit and created a vibe that makes the Panic experience unique in the pop rock world.
But anybody who knows anything about them knows that Widespread Panic is so much more than just a jam-happy rock band. From the time Houser and John Bell (“JB”) began playing duets around Athens, Georgia, in the early 80’s, their repertoire ranged from early covers of the Grateful Dead and Bob Marley to a host of original songs (among them “Space Wrangler,” included here) that demonstrate, as The Village Voice wrote, “a willingness to dip their collective toe into just about any genre. This is classic Widespread Panic, including Dave Schools on bass, John "JoJo" Hermann on keys, Todd Nance on drums and Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz on percussion.
One look at this show and it’ll quickly become obvious there was something strange going on in the house that night. Yes, it was Halloween, 2000, and the rabid fans went beyond even their usual hard-core delirium. This was one time the audience almost threatened to steal the show!
The reissue features all-new artwork from longtime Panic poster artist JT Lucchesi. Live From Austin, TX (Redux) has been pressed on Rainbow Color Splatter vinyl and is available for pre-order. It is also being offered on CD for the first time.
VINYL TRACKLIST:
Side A
Let's Get Down To Business
Ain't Life Grand
Space Wrangler
Side B
Climb To Safety
Blue Indian
Casa Del Grillo
Side C
Driving Song > Surprise Valley > Driving Song
Side D
Travelin' Light
Bear's Gone Fishin'
Dyin' Man
Porch Song
