Watch Widespread Panic’s ‘Sleepy Monkey,’ ‘Mr. Soul’ & ‘Contentment Blues’ From 25th Anniversary Run In 2011

Widespread Panic shared pro-shot video of three songs from the first set of a 2011 run in celebration of the band’s 25th anniversary over the past three days. Clips featuring Panic’s performances of “Sleepy Monkey,” “Contentment Blues” and “Mr. Soul” are the latest videos from February 10, 2011 at the Classic Center in Athens premiered on the group’s YouTube channel.

The Athens-based band kicked off the run with shows at the Classic Center in their hometown on February 10 and 11, 2011. Widespread Panic then closed out the brief excursion at Atlanta’s Fox Theater on February 14, 2011. Widespread Panic has been premiering videos from the Athens shows on YouTube almost every day for the past month or so.

“Sleepy Monkey” was the second song of the night on February 10, 2011. Panic opened the evening and run with their first cover of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” since November 17, 1988 — a span of 2,313 shows. “Sleepy Monkey” pre-dates the band and was released as “Monkey Image” in 1986 on the band’s recently reissued debut single. The tune has always been a part of Widespread Panic’s live repertoire besides a 213-show span from November 2013 – October 2016.

Neil Young wrote “Mr. Soul” for inclusion on Buffalo Springfield’s 1967 studio album, Buffalo Springfield Again. Widespread Panic debuted their cover live on May 13, 1987 as per Everyday Companion. The band has only gone more than 25 shows without playing “Mr. Soul” six times over the past 34 years. “Mr. Soul” came towards the middle of the opening frame in Athens.

Widespread Panic played “Contentment Blues” as the penultimate song of their first set on February 10, 2011 at the Classic Center in Athens. The band premiered the original live on February 16, 1987 according to Everyday Companion. A studio version was included as a bonus track on a 1992 reissue of the band’s debut studio album, Space Wrangler. “Contentment Blues” has varied between a staple and rarity in Panic’s repertoire with a total of 257 plays between 1987 and 2019.

Watch Widespread Panic’s performances of “Sleepy Monkey,” “Mr. Soul” and “Contentment Blues” from February 10, 2011 below:

Sleepy Monkey

Mr. Soul

Contentment Blues