Widespread Panic

I saw a concert on TV in the wee wee hours of this morning (don't ask why TV stations broadcast shows at that time of the day, I have no idea).  But, HDNet broadcasted Widespread Panic's Tunes for Tots benefit concert and wow, what a show to behold, even on TV!  This band has been around for 25 years and they follow in the footsteps of their fellow Georgians, the Allman Brothers.  But, they are totally different.  They jam just as hard as the Allmans do and improvising is the big part of their sound, but, they have an incredible groove in some of their songs, too.  Since adding new band members a few years ago (Jimmy Herring on guitar and Jojo Herman on keyboards), they've really taken off.

I have a single compilation CD of their material from their earlier career.  It's a good one.  But this new lineup is amazing.  Herring's guitar playing is truly original.  He plays mostly Fender guitars (Stratocaster's and Telecaster's), through high powered amps and has the ability to make them really sing and have a sustaining quality that the tones of those guitars aren't always known for.  Just proves that sometimes it's the player, not the gear they use that makes things effective.  Herring's vibrato is almost violin like and is something that has to be heard to be believed.  Hermann is a solid keyboardist as well.  The rhythm section is Dave Schools on bass (who has mastered the art of groovy, funky bass in his own way), Todd Nance on drums and Sonny Ortiz on percussion/drums. 

They have many songs.  But the highlight in the set for me was hearing a more recent number that was put on their latest album "Dirty Side Down".  A track entitled "North".  Wow!  Their lead singer John Bell also plays guitar.  His vocals are something to get used to.  He has a gruff edge to what could very well be a more tenor sounding voice.  I can't really describe his style.  At first I didn't care for it, but now I've grown to accept it.  The show was a masterful display of their ability to jam.

So, if you have not heard of Widespread Panic, I urge you to check them out.  They are monsters when it comes to being able to throw down the jams.  But they do it in a totally unique way that is entirely their own.