So, I just got back to town from a week in the woods of Kansas hunting whitetail deer. TRYING to actually get one. More on that later. A band I have been seeing for a long time was playing Friday Saturday and Sunday downtown and I knew I wasn’t gonna make the first two nights. Usually, in fact I can say ALWAYS when they come through I get to every night. This time I went to ONE WIDESPREAD PANIC show. Sunday. I have heard that expression “never miss a Sunday show” more times than I can count and it is usually followed by a “Bro” or a “Dude”. This time was no different.

Something about them. I have long given up on that jam band style of music as boring and for the kids who haven’t really been exposed to the world of really good music out there. But for some reason Widespread Panic sticks it out. And it might be because they truly seem down home and like an American experience with songs about swamps and farms that reel me in even when driving down Wilshire Blvd. or heading to the Science museum. It might be because those six guys have become a true force that can make a song so deep and powerful while keeping the sun at their backs. They have mastered their art and I can’t get enough.

I don’t think I could miss them in my town. You shouldn’t either.

I am so glad I went. Sunday was a complete DUMPER with bomb after bomb and wild rhythms, precise changes and crying leads that were so fast and fluid I thought it may be the drugs that I was on….25 years ago. They truly inspired a smile the entire time and played a whole load of inspired songs:

11/08/09 Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
1: Rock > Party At Your Mama’s House > Ribs And Whiskey, Can’t Get High, Diner > Three Candles > The Take Out > Space Wrangler > Henry Parsons Died

2: Jam > Holden Oversoul > Imitation Leather Shoes, Jack, This Part Of Town > Sleepy Monkey > Driving Song > Disco > Drums > It Ain’t No Use* > Driving Song > Fishwater

E: The Shape I’m In*, Can’t Find My Way Home*

* with Marc Ford on guitar
(Thanks Everyday Companion!!!)