PaniCast 71 - "Well, 'no' is a very... that's a big word."

Jimmy Herring circa 1994

In the spring of 1994 the Grateful Dead were still touring, I got married and began my graduate studies at DePaul University. Working full-time in the printing and publications department of my alma mater and going to school full time left me with little time for live music or much of a social life.

But in the summer of 1994, all I had to do was work full time... and take some of my precious earned vacation time to see some music.

After 25 years of actively seeking out live musical experiences, the summer of 1994 stands out as a highlight. In particular, the ten day period of July 14 - 24, 1994 stands out as one of the most ambitious musical experiences of my life.

Thursday 7/14/94 - work 9 - 5, Widespread Panic, The Vic (Aquarium Rescue Unit opened)
Friday 7/15/94 - work 9 - 5
Saturday 7/16/94 drive 5.5 hours to Ames, IA -  Widespread Panic, People's Bar and Grill
Sunday 7/17/94 - drive back to Chicago
Monday 7/18/94 - work 9 - 5, 3 hour drive to the Riverbend Campground outside of Noblesville, IN.
Tuesday 7/19/94 - Grateful Dead, Deer Creek Ampitheatre
Wednesday 7/20/94 - Grateful Dead, Deer Creek Ampitheatre
Thursday 7/21/94 - Grateful Dead, Deer Creek Ampitheatre
Friday 7/22/94 - drive back to Chicago, celebrate birthday at Martyrs'
Saturday 7/23/94 - Grateful Dead, Soldier Field, Chicago
Sunday 7/24/94 - Grateful Dead, Soldier Field, Chicago

5 Dead shows, 2 Panic shows and 3 full days of work in 11 days.
But you are here to hear about Widespread Panic.

That July 14th show at the Vic was originally scheduled for a larger venue, the newly opened Skyline Stage on Navy pier. But Peter Frampton used his own PA a couple of weeks earlier which led to the venue not allowing Widespread to use their PA....  I'll add that this change in venue happened after the band and crew had arrived in the early morning of July 14 to set the stage.

Several dozen people were turned away at the door of the Vic because of overcrowding and the air conditioning failed before the band even hit the stage.

The Aquarium Rescue Unit (without Col. Bruce but with Kofi Burbridge on keys and flute and Paul Henson on vocals) opened for Panic. I wonder if Jimmy Herring ever had a sense of deja vu when sharing the stage with  Widespread Panic? Or perhaps being in the Aquarium Rescue Unit was like LIVING in deja vu!

I featured the final two songs and the encore of Panic's one set show back in PaniCast #4....
PaniCast #4 - Sweating to July 14, 1994 The Vic Theatre, Chicago.

This week I bring you the opening of the first set up through the drum break in Papa's Home.
I've also added a couple of great radio studio performances from 1993 and some silly interviews...

July 14, 1994

The Vic Theatre

Chicago, IL

(set one opener)

Heroes >

Weight of the World,
Pilgrims
Porch Song

May 3, 1993
KTCZ 97.1 Studios
Minneapolis, MN
Interview
Wondering

July 14, 1994 continues
Little Kin,
It Ain't No Use >
Travelin' Light

May 10, 1993
WDET 101.9 FM
Detroit, MI
Interview
Henry Parsons Died

July 14, 1994 continues
Junior,
Stop-Go >
Papa's Home

July 14, 1994 

Aquarium Rescue Unit (opening for Widespread Panic)

Vic Theatre

Chicago, IL

Fixin' to Die

(calling out to 'Garrie' during the song... same Garrie?)

Jimmy Herring on guitar
Oteil Burbridge on bass/vocals
Apartment Q258 on drums
Kofi Burbridge on keys/flute
Paul Henson on vocals

LISTENER'S GUIDE:

7/14/94

Listen how Weight of the World starts with Dave melodically driving the song forward until Mikey takes control and leads into the third verse. This allows DAS to switch to a percussive slap bass technique, nearly teasing 'We Want the Funk....' at one point.

The Pilgrims intro is so mellow, almost like they backing into the song. Feeling confident and conversational in the way they are playing....  - and so we listen, and if it's real good, and we shake.

And then Houser takes a solo and the heat is on!

Check out the jam that begins about 5 and a half minutes into Ain't No Use.... soaring, triumphant, lovely.

And again around the 5 and a half minute mark in Papa's Home a graceful and confident jam. Houser's leads are reminiscent of a yet-to-be-written Surprise Valley.

5/3/93 and 5/10/93

Being asked by radio DJs about being from Athens and REM must've gotten old and you can't blame JB Jack the Jester for trying to have a little fun with them in the process. 

I just love JB talking about Sunny in the 5/10 interview; 'Sometimes he rubs them. Sometimes he shakes them.'

7/14/94 ARU

The band calls out for "Gary" during Fixin' to Die.... leaving me wondering if they were somehow calling out to Garrie Vereen....

SOURCE INFO:

7/14/94

Source: SBD > DAT @ 48.0khz > Analog(master)

Transfer: Analog(master) > Tascam DA-45HR @ 44.1khz > Audiophile 24/96 USB > Cool Edit 2000 > CDwave > FLAC(level 6)

Converted and edited by D.P. Swint

Seeded by Patrick Wood

5/3/93

Source: FM > Cass (?) > CD

Transfer: Pioneer CD-070 > HHB 800 > EAC (secure) > CDWave > MKWAct SHN v.3 flac 

5/10/93

Source: FM > Cass (?) > CD

Transfer: Pioneer CD-070 > HHB 800 > EAC (secure) > CDWave > MKWAct SHN v.3 > flac

7/14/94 

Aquarium Rescue Unit 

Source: SBD > DA-P20 @ 48.0khz

Transfer: Tascam DA-45HR > Audiophile 24/96 USB > WaveLab 5.01a > CDwave > FLAC(level 6)

Converted and edited by D.P. Swint

Photo: screen shot from YouTube video of ARU in Jacksonville circa 1994

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7-dxV4_D-E

DOWNLOAD the cast here
(right click to save to hard drive):

Everyday Companion Podcast 71

Click here to subscribe through iTunes.

PaniCast 63 Sam Smith OakMountain Stout

My pre-show ritual of drinking a Samuel Smith's oatmeal stout started back when I was seeing the Grateful Dead. A single 20 ounce bottle could sustain me for an entire evening. Too heavy to be chugged, it is a beer to be savored. For my money, a $3 bottle of Sammy's symbolizes summer afternoons of freedom and relaxation. In the summer of 1994, Lisa and I found a couple bottles for sale at the last store on the road to Denali. We sat on the side of a dusty road sipping an Oatmeal Stout under the midnight sun while listening for the bus that would take us into the wild.

So when a podcast listener named Jeremiah wrote the following words, I felt compelled by mysterious forces to oblige his request;
"Keep up the good work, I thrive on your podcast, its great music to listen to. Brings back memories of the good ole' days when I was in college. No bills, plenty of Panic, and a good Sammy Smith Oatmeal Stout!"

He's asked for anything from 1996 through 2001 from Oak Mountain in Pelham (outside of Birmingham) Alabama. You pretty much can't go wrong with that date range with this band at that venue.

So I went down to Liquor Mart today and bought a Sammy Smith Oatmeal Stout. I've cracked it open. And I am listening and relaxing, waiting to be taken into the wild. I suggest you do the same.


June 28, 1996
Airplane >
Take Off Jam (with Dark Star jam) >
And It Stoned Me >
Henry Parsons Died
Stop-G0 >
Barstools and Dreamers (with Satisfied rap)

September 25, 1999
Surprise Valley >
Bear's Gone Fishing >
C. Brown

July 29, 2001
Wind Cries Mary


DOWNLOAD the cast here
(right click to save to hard drive):
Everyday Companion Podcast #62

Click here to subscribe through iTunes.

PaniCast 27 - Big Start, Big Finish

Widespread Panic fall 1996


October 29, 2000
Other One Jam

October 25, 1997 Opening the first set
Greensboro, NC
Proving Ground >
Flat Footed Flewzy >
Proving Ground

September 7, 1997 end of the first set
Boston, MA
Love Tractor (with Branford Marsalis and DJ Apollo)

March 12, 1997
Vail, CO
Encore
Maggot Brain >
Henry Parsons Died (with Other One jam)

1997 was a great year for Panic and here are a few highlights. I put this Cast together with a guiding principle of "interesting starts or stops." Here are but a few for your consideration.

Make sure to let us know what you think -

DOWNLOAD the cast here:
Everyday Companion Podcast #27

Click here to subscribe through iTunes.