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

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Everyday Companion Podcast 71

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PaniCast 65 Good Dogs (and a Cat too)

This week we bring you some sweet music from the two night run of shows in 1992 at the legendary Ziggy's in Winston-Salem, NC.

These songs of challenges, rising to meet adversity and remembering good times is a long distance dedication - to all the everyday feline and canine companions brightening our world.

September 29, 1990
Murfreesboro, TN
The Earth Will Swallow You

May 24, 1992
Ziggy's
Winston-Salem, NC

Dog Song >
Walk On
Weight of the World
It Ain't No Use >
Jam (with Brown Cat Rap)
Tie Your Shoes >
Red Beans Cookin'

May 25, 1992
Ziggy's

C. Brown
Just Kissed My Baby (with Cissy Strut jam and Night People rap)

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PaniCast 53 Lost Summer - REDUX

WHEW! That took some time...
I hope you are all still waiting patiently - I promise the next few weeks will be worth the wait!

I turn around and May has turned to September. What happened to our summer?

As an ode to our lost summer I put together some selections from August in Panic History for your enjoyment. I literally went through the archives and pulled an August performance from each of the years we had on the hard drives through 1999. We are missing some critical August performances from 87, 88 and 91 but the examples we have here are good ones.

Bird Song features Kelly Jo Davis on vocals. Normally I am not a big fan of Bird Song as performed by Widespread, but this version shines - JB's vocal play with Kelly Jo is subtle and Houser's playing is unhinged.

The 1989 selection from the Wetlands is pure five piece Panic - And I've always had a soft spot in my heart for it. It happens to be the very first live performance by the band I ever heard on tape or otherwise.

What can you say about a 1990 Holden Oversoul other than tempo, tempo, tempo! Some serious funky Panic happening mid-way through this one.

Sunny is feeling it after It Ain't No Use and JB is feeling it during Last Straw... Todd is firing on all cylinders, Dave and Houser intertwine nicely and JoJo finds some interesting fills during this awesome matrix recording of a HORDE performance from 1992.

Flat Foot Flewzy from a Oak Mountain HORDE date in 1993 featuring John Popper on harmonica may be the highlight of this broadcast... Really sick - partly because Popper refused to give up the lead and Dave's vocal antics. "Holy shit" is right.

Pilgrims is from the encore of a show in Lubbock. JB says something way in the background (before Dave yells, "Lubbock") that I can't make out. Something about tractors... if anyone can make out what he is saying, please share. Plus listen to what Garrie is talking about at the end there.... you could take your ticket across the street to a bar and drink all night for free?! I'd be willing to bet that bar lost money that night!

Can't Find My Way Home was the encore of the second night of a two show run at the Vic in Chicago. "Thank you, good night!"

"I'm gonna cut myself and forget about her!"
Although the Last Dance from Germany has a missed cue part way through it is well played - plus hearing Dave count to four in German is worth including it, don't you think?
"Eins, zwei, drei, vier!"

I hope you enjoyed this week's cast - TELL YOUR FRIENDS WE'RE BACK!
Thanks.

Intro Garrie Banter from
February 21, 1992, September 6, 1992, April 9, 1993, April 20, 1993, and October 27, 1993.

August 18, 1986
Athens, GA
Bird Song

August 5, 1989
New York, NY
Disco >
Jam (with Tie Your Shoes tease) >
Driving Song >
B of D

August 16, 1990
Seattle, WA
Holden Oversoul

August 8, 1992
Charlotte, NC
It Ain't No Use >
Last Straw >
Tie Your Shoes >
Worry

August 15, 1993
Pelham, AL
Flat Foot Flewzy (w/ John Popper on Harmonica)

August 4, 1994
Lubbock, TX
Pilgrims

August 5, 1995
Chicago, IL
West Virginia >
Can't Find My Way Home

August 16, 1999
Bielefeld, Germany
End of the Show
Last Dance

We would love to hear from you, so please click 'Comment' below and let us know what you think or if there is something you' like to hear.

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Everyday Companion Podcast #53

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PaniCast 48 - Meanwhile, 3,650 days later

This week marks the tenth anniversary of the end of the infamous Spring Tour 1997. I had the good fortune of seeing six of these shows and look back on this time in my life with fondness and more than a little nostalgia. Along with classic shows at the Vic and Aragon in Chicago, I braved more than a little sleepiness to attend the end of the tour stop in St. Paul, MN. This taught me an important lesson; if there is nothing stopping you but a lack of sleep, GO!

Alot of ground has been covered from this time period (April - May 1997) in our podcasts this past year so I tried to steer away from the more obvious highlights from some of the classic shows - but I couldn't resist the Jingo Jam from 4/27/97! Sections of music like the Sleepy Monkey, Tie Your Shoes combo from 5/8/97, the Stop Go > Wondering from 4/27/97, B of D > Goin Out West from 5/10/97 and many others should be sought out and listened to. Do yourself a favor and find any show from April and May 1997 and I dare you to find a dog in the bunch. The band was in fine form and each and every one is played with effortless high energy.

Here's how it goes down this week:
April 27, 1997
Burlington, VT
Jingo Jam >
Space Wrangler

May 3, 1997
Pelham, AL
Just Kissed My Baby (with Night People rap)

May 7, 1997
Louisville, KY
Bowlegged Woman
Walk On

May 9, 1997
Chicago, IL
Little Kin
Ain't No Use

May 8, 1997
Chicago, IL
She Caught the Katy

We would love to hear from you, so please click 'Comment' below and let us know what you think or if there is something you' like to hear.

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Everyday Companion Podcast #48

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PaniCast 39 Playing to 10 or 10,000

A listener wrote in asking to hear selections from the Stone Balloon or Hammerjacks - unfortunately I only had one of the two in the archive, the Stone Balloon.
This classic college bar no longer exists, except in the hearts of it's former patrons.



While I was looking for this show on disks and drives I ran across a show from a few days earlier at the Imperial Room, Concord Resort Hotel in Kiamesha Lake, NY. The location itself sounded interesting so I checked it out. The venue is one of the old classic 'Catskills' hotels in it's hey day. It has since fallen into disrepair.

Imperial Room at the Concord Resort

It sounds like there are maybe 50 people at this show - you can hear banter between band members at the start of Maggot Brain and JB thanking some one, presumably a crowd member, for a beer; "Probably be warm by the time you got up here. Cheers." In any case, this is another one of those examples of the band playing to 10 as if they are 10,000, if I may once again misquote Col. Bruce. The Let's Get the Show on the Road is started by JB before the feedback has died down at the end of Chilly Water, and I am guessing he is playing ONE MORE before the club shuts them down. You may need to TURN UP the Let's the Show on the Road - it is pretty quiet.

And finally there are a few selections from a classic and still vibrant venue, Ziggy's in Winston-Salem. Todd is ON FIRE for these two songs and the jam between the two songs remind me of Blight.... ENJOY!

Intro Music
November 8, 2001
Happy Child

March 16, 1994
Stone Balloon, Newark, DE
Wondering >
Proving Ground

March 14, 1994
Imperial Room, Concord Resort Hotel, Kiamesha, NY
Raise the Roof
Maggot Brain >
Jam >
Chilly Water >
Let's Get the Show on the Road (JB solo)

November 3, 1992
Ziggy's, Winston-Salem, NC
It Ain't No Use >
Jam >
Better Off

Make sure to click COMMENT below to let us know what you think -

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Everyday Companion Podcast #38

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PaniCast 32 New Year's Special Part 1

We're brewing up another blizzard here in Colorado, but in Atlanta it is 60 degrees. This NYE Special is dedicated to those who have been before and cannot make it to the New Year's festivies this year (like me). For those of you who were planning on it but physically could not leave Denver International Airport, for you I dedicate part 2!

1996 was a memorable year for me and the Everyday Companion. In spring 96 I received my Master's degree and in Winter 1996 we published the first Everyday Companion. The New Year's Eve shows at the Fox Theatre would be the debut of this first hand made, home made volume. I had the good fortune of seeing Panic at a small intimate gathering at the Morton Theater in Athens on December 28th but did not realize the best was yet to come! Lisa and I had good fortune looking down on us, or maybe a guardian angel. Third row in front of Houser for all three nights at the Fox in Atlanta in 1996.

After the shows I wrote on Spreadnet that I thought some part of me 'would always be in row CCC' and I still feel the same way. I met so many great people at these shows, folks who would end up being even better friends. I feel a warm glow sweep over me whenever I remember the fog in Athens on the night of the 28th and when I recall hugging Lisa in the swaying orchestra pit.

Without further ado - New Year's Eve run 1996 brought to you in two parts.

PART ONE
Highlights 12/29/96 and 12/30/96

Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA

12/29
Jack,
Last Straw >
Wondering (with David Blackmon)
Greta >
Diner

12/30
Junior >
Ain't No Use
JAM >
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl >
Dream Song



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Everyday Companion Podcast #32

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PaniCast 28 - OH BO! No Mo PolyToxic.

Bo Schembechler(left), Woody Hayes (right)

This cast is dedicated to Polytoxic, and the Ohio State and Michigan rivalry.
If you are in the Denver area on November 22, 2006 I suggest you head out to Cervante's and see Polytoxic perform "The Last Waltz."

Tori Pater, C.R. Gruver, Chadzilla Johnson

May 8, 2006
Smith's Olde Bar, Atlanta, GA
Polytoxic with Danny Hutchens performing
Makes Sense to Me

May 24, 1992
Ziggy's, Winston-Salem, NC
Aint No Use >
brown cat rap

October 24, 1996
Michigan Theater
Ann Arbor, MI
Genesis

April 13, 1999
Mershon Auditorium, Columbus, OH
Papa's Home
Make sure to let us know what you think -

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Everyday Companion Podcast #27

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PaniCast 22 - I Wish You Were Here

This week's Cast features music from a classic show in New Orleans and some recent heat with Jimmy Herring.

May 1, 1999
Municipal Auditorium
New Orleans, LA
Driving Song >
Wish You Were Here >
Driving Song > Breathing Slow

October 1, 2006
From the Cradle
It Ain't No Use


For Eric - I Wish You Were Here.

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Everyday Companion Podcast #22

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#11 - 'Happy Birthday to Me!' Special

July 22 is my birthday and this year I will have the treat of attending a Widespread Panic concert at Winter Park, CO on my birthday! I am hoping for good weather and safe travels.

This episode is an hour long special featuring various moments from shows I attended over the years. These aren't necessarily the 'best version ever' or anything - each was selected because I have a fond memory associated with each show. We'll kick everything off with the song that really 'grabbed my legs' and began my fascination and musical relationship with Widespread Panic.

Ted circa 1971

July 22, 1992 Chicago, IL
Stop-Go

Lisa and I attended this show at Mississippi Nights in St Louis. We had sold our tickets for what would end up being the final Grateful Dead show which occurred on the same evening in Chicago. After the chaos of Deer Creek and the hassle of St Louis, our Grateful Dead touring days were already over. Fortunately a new adventure in our lives was under way even if we weren't aware of it yet. This Ain't No Use is pretty crazy and I remember being on the floor three people back from Dave just overwhelmed by the intensity of this song.
July 9, 1995 St. Louis, MO
Ain't No Use

On a whim Lisa, Maureen and I drove in the hot and humid midwestern heat for what seemed like 10,000 miles from Chicago to Ames, Iowa to see the band in a little bar. We woke up early, drove all day and saw a show that night. This was a very memorable trip including the discovery that the oil cap for the car's engine had been left off for about 200 miles. Where do you find an oil cap in the middle of a corn field? Plus the venue was serving giant 36 oz beers on special for $2. We did NOT wake up early the next morning.
July 16, 1994 Ames, IA
Early

I drove up to Minneapolis with Dennis Dahl to see this final show of the spring tour. We slept on the floor of his friend's home office and couldn't find anything to eat anywhere near the venue - I think we had seafood quesadillas at an upscale brew pub or something. In any case, every time I here this song it brings back the emotions I experienced on spring tour 1997 - sweet, strong, tight, welcoming and powerful.
May 10, 1997 Minneapolis, MN
Genesis

In one 36 hour stretch I bought a plane ticket to Atlanta, won tickets to the show in a chat room interview with Dave Schools, heard the first Pilgrims on tape at Brian Sofer's house, missed the CNN interview I had been invited to, went to the show, sold $100 worth of tape covers in the parking lot, met the manager of the Lakewood Amphitheater who set me up with my own box (the Delta box) and bought my first round of drinks, got rip snorting drunk, went backstage, broke down Sofer's front door, flew back to Chicago and then drove to Alpine Valley, WI for the Lollapooza festival. The Last Straw indeed.
July 26, 1997 Atlanta
Last Straw

This show was a miracle all the way around. We're in downtown Detroit before they built the new stadium. Dennis, Val, Lisa and I show up hungry and several hours early for the show. Dennis and Val are vegetarians and there isn't a food establishment within, what seems like, miles. But wait - what is that tiny hut in the middle of that parking lot across the street from the venue? It looks like the parking attendant's booth.... It is a middle eastern restaurant that specializes in vegetarian food! That sums up this amazing trip to Detroit - around each turn there were surprises but through it all we were Feelin' Alright!
May 1, 1997 Detroit
Feelin' Alright

Lisa and Ted circa 1994

Thanks again to EVERYONE out there who have supported and helped us over the years with the project and on our journey to and from Panic shows. We really could not have done this labor of love without you. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU.

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Everyday Companion Podcast #11

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