Widespread Panic To Release Classic 2000 Show

Widespread Panic’s Porch Songs series of live archival releases continues with the release of an official recording from November 24, 2000. Taken straight from the Mikey Era, Panic played the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis on that fateful night.

The show featured in the new release was the first night of a two-night stand at the Mid-South Coliseum. Archivist Horace Moore ends his statement on it by saying, “Now it’s time to get ready for the second night of this stellar run…stay tuned!” So look for the second night to come out soon. North Mississippi Allstars opened for Panic on November 24, 2000 and Cody Dickinson sat in during the headliner’s drums segment. Other highlights from the show include a scorching “Red Hot Mama,” an outstanding “Arleen” and a lengthy “Porch Song.”

Here’s some of Horace Moore’s thoughts on the new release:

Widespread Panic kinda starts this show twice…with a couple of hard-charging openers…”Love Tractor” right into “Travelin’ Light.” With the North Mississippi All Stars opening the show, the crowd was obviously ready and the band got further into it with a “Party At Your Mama’s House” that allowed everyone to catch their breath…at least at the beginning…before heading right on into “Dyin’ Man.” After some interesting noodling around, a strangely placed “Papa’s Home”…split with a “Walkin’” …popped up midset to do more than carry us toward the end of the set…we got transported! And not to be done just yet, the “Papa’s” just eases up at the end and the boys lay down a “Red Hot Mama” before closing out the set with a very nice segue into “All Time Low.” It was time to rest up a bit and get ready for what was sure to be a party that had just gotten good and started.

Coming out with “Blackout” to open the second set got everyone quickly back into line. “Henry Parsons Died” got us all crazy before “Little Lilly” settled things down just a bit. As “Little Lilly” slowly but surely slid into “Vacation,” it was once again ON! A stellar “Vacation” is all it ever takes…right? From there…a “Porch Song” from nowhere that went everywhere. After “Drums” pushed us even further out, we get cleaned up on Cody Dickenson’s crazy washboard and it just gets weird…of course in a good way! Eventually, “Arleen” slinks her way in and it gets even weirder…in the best way. “City of Dreams” comes in as a calming force to give us a chance to say, “Whew!” Encoring with “Let it Rock” ends this show on a raucous note and gives a bit of definition to the performance that just went down…cause that’s just what they did…they LET IT ROCK!

Set One: Love Tractor > Travelin’ Light, Party At Your Mama’s House > Dyin’ Man, Papa’s Home > Walkin’ (For Your Love) > Papa’s Home, Red Hot Mama > All Time Low

Set Two: Blackout Blues, Henry Parsons Died, Little Lilly > Vacation > Porch Song > Drums* > Arleen > City of Dreams

Encore: Let It Rock

* with Cody Dickinson on spoons/washboard

[Setlist via Everyday Companion]

Head to LiveWidespreadPanic.com to purchase the new release.