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Widespread
Panic & The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Night of Joy
label: Sanctuary Records
released: 03.23.04
our score: 4.0 out of 5.0
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Widespread
Panic has been jamming for over 20 years and they show no signs
of slowing up. Although they are taking 2004 off, they have left
the music scene with a live album for our listening pleasure.
Night of Joy highlights two nights of live performances
with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. The album is only nine songs
in length but it is not short by any means. When a jam-band puts
out a live album, the chances of that album being short in time
is like the chances of Marlon Brando going on the Atkins Diet.
Not likely.
Night
of Joy starts out with the thoughtfully-titled "Thought
Sausage" which is also the shortest of the nine tracks at
5:31. Having never heard Widespread Panic before I was taken slightly
aback by the raspy vocals of John Bell. But after listening to
the album several times I have grown not only accustomed to the
sound, but quite fond of it. A.K.A. I dig it!
"Use Me" is a wonderful adaptation
of the Bill Withers penned classic. It brings a fresh rock twist
to this tune. Add the blaring horns of The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
and you have a cover that one-ups Hootie and the Blowfish's version
(and I really like their rendition).
"Bust It Big" starts out with
a wonderful piano intro and a bass line that you can't help but
move to. The entire 9:05 is filled with solos from almost every
instrument. This is the most delightful song on the album, especially
with the minute and a half acappella outro that is one of the
most satisfying closings to a song that I have heard in a long
time.
Some
of the tracks are a little too long. Arleen is 10:21 and Rebirtha
is 17:12. But what else can you expect from a jam-band.
"Night of Joy" is just that;
a joy to listen to. Even thought this is Widespread Panic's 14th
album (including two with Vic Chesnutt under the name Brute) and
second live album, this is the first time that I have ever heard
any of their music. And I am pleasantly surprised.
20-Apr-2004
9:20 AM
If you
liked Night of Joy...
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