Search - Widespread Panic :: Ball

Great WP release!

David Stewart | Sugar land, Texas | 12/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have to admit being a bit biased towards this WP release. I first heard 'Fishing' on sat radio and was instantly hooked. I drove straight to my nearest music store and bought Ball. I loved it from beginning to end abd being my first entry in WP, very intrigued by the "new" band. I really like the way the band mixes musical styles. I have since added many WP cds to my collection, I think Ball holds up quite well. I see only better things to come! My biggest shock was that I had never heard of WP before 2003!!"

Best Widespread Panic since the first two

kireviewer | Sunnyvale, Ca United States | 11/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THIS CD CAPTURES WHAT WIDESPREAD PANIC DOES BEST (IN THE STUDIO)



Released in 2003, this is the eighth Widespread Panic studio album. It is 73 minutes long and the sound quality is very good.



This is the first CD after the death of Michael Houser. He is replaced by George McConnell, who used to play with the band from to time, stepping in while Houser was incapcitated with pancreatic cancer. The two guitarists have distincty different styles. Houser was very unique while McConnel plays more in a traditional Southern Rock style.



What is interesting, is that with Houser gone, the band reverts back to its original style of music that was featured on the first two albums. It is a more driving, tight and concise type of music with some great guitar turns. The music is also clear, bright and energetic. It is much different that was the group did on the third through seventh albums, where the music is muddied and sometimes muffled.



Most of the tracks on this CD are excellent, with only three clunkers. Counting Train Cars is a failed attempt to do country rock, instead of staying with more of a southern rock sound, and Pappa Johnny Road is one of those songs there were typical of the nineties songs. Unfortunately, worst song is the Mihcael Houser composed tune, Traveling Man. But, it is followed by a 10 minute instrumental that is very good.



I was really surprised with this CD. I didn't expect to like it. This is the first time, in a long time that Widespread Panic went into the studio and recorded a bunch of songs without first trying them out in concert. Most of the best, classic rock music of all time was first tried out on the road to get it right, before it got recorded in the studio. Nearly everything Pink Floyd ever recorded was road tested first."

Exceptional Effort considering the circumstances...

J. Andrews | Tucson, AZ | 01/25/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Now, 'Ball' has taken almost 7 years to really grow on me, even though there were songs that immediately gripped me the first time i heard I spun the disc.



What is really interesting to me is that overall, I never really got into George's playing w/ Panic. His live playing seemed very noodle-y and for the most part, uninspiring. He often sounded lost and simply trying to 'play along' rather than really grab hold of the songs and make them his own. There are certainly exceptions (I thought they way he ripped up Rebirtha consistently was an astounding feat!), but I really can't say I miss him now.



Given what I just said, George's playing on 'Ball' is outstanding. He does exactly what I would have hoped someone would do when they first come aboard an already-established band: he asserts himself, yet doesn't try to overdo things. George did a fantastic job of not trying to copy Mike's style, but also not straying too far off point. It's the rest of the band that really brings their collective A-game on this record. Also, this is a damn-near perfect sequenceing of a record!



Song-by-song:



(01) 'Fishing' - a nice way to introduce the new era of panic. love the acoustic interplay between Bell & McConnell, with the added bonus of Jojo's Bear Gone Fishin-esque organ work.



(02) 'Thin Air' - album picks up with a classic Panic track, driven by Schools' excellent bass-work (what a solo!). George makes his presence felt here, but does a nice job avoiding potential Southern Rock cliches, instead focusing on the interplay between himself, JB and Dave Schools.



(03) 'Tortured Artist' - This song was one I initially overlooked, but now have grown quite fond of. George does an outstanding Neil Young impression with his strong melodic sensibilities and frequent attempts to strangle his guitar with some mean 'Southern Man'-esque bends. JB brings it on this one as well. In fact, it's worth noting that this may be JB's best vocal album yet.



(04) 'Papa Johnny Road' - Another track that could've existed a decade before its time, PJR showcases George's versatility w/ some excellent slide guitar interplay between himself and JB. Got a nice little catchy singalong part as well. Jojo adds his signature touch here, as well.



(05) 'Sparks Fly' - On my first listen, this song made me say aloud, 'what the f*** was that?' only now have I come to appreciate it for what it is, an oddball deviation from the norm for Panic. after a run of classic-sounding material, this and CTC offer a total change of direction that makes much more sense now. Actually, this is quite a catchy little track. Love the juxtaposition of the crunchy verse (think of that gritty 'You Got Yours' guitar sound) and that smooth, pop-friendly chorus.



(06) 'Counting Train Cars' - I routinely skipped this track back when the album came out, but you have to love the harmonies sprinkled over this lovely little alt-country tune. Props to Keane's pedal steel and George's perfectly delivered twangy-ness.



(07) 'Don't Wanna Lose You' - Jojo and George dominate this track. Mike would be proud of this one. Yet another Neil Young-ish track for George. Jojo's piano playing is absolutely ace here. his vocals aren't too shabby, either!



(08) 'Longer Look' - Beautiful performance. been waiting for a JB solo tune for years. great delivery. and perfectly placed as a lead-in to...



(09) 'Meeting of the Waters' - this song doesn't get the credit it deserves. what an epic. love the message, the vocal delivery and the music going on here. George rips during the jam. ace playing here. and this sounds like no other panic song I've ever heard.



(10) 'Nebulous' - at first, I could've done without this track, but i've come around on it. I actually could still do without the meandering 5 minute jam tacked onto the end, but it's got a few moments where George shines. Love the main body of the song much more now. Nice riff-rockin'



(11) 'Monstrosity' - Phenomenal tune. one of my alltime favorite panic tracks. JB's vocal performance is scintillating, and George's finest hour occurs here. love the song construction as well, with the trippy ending. Fine collective effort here, and I can't believe this hasn't been more of a prominent feature in live sets.



(12) 'Time Waits' - nicely placed here. this is a solid little track, and JB feels right at home in these kinds of tunes.



(13) 'Travelin Man' - great ode to Mike. George does very nice things here. a fitting close to an outstanding record.



initially, my only real complaint with the album was it's length. It seemed a bit too bulky. But as I listen now, I don't think I could cut anything. one might suggest snipping Sparks Fly and CTC, but imo, those songs give the album a distinctly unfamiliar flavor that really spurs it forward.



I guess the only things that really seem excessive are the last 5 minutes of Nebulous and the hidden slowed-down Thin Air.



wish this existed in vinyl-form.

Imagine:

SIDE A: Fishing, Thin Air, Tortured Artist

SIDE B: Papa Johnny Road, Sparks Fly, Counting Train Cars, Don't Wanna Lose You

SIDE C: Longer Look, Meeting of the Waters, Nebulous

SIDE D: Monstrosity, Time Waits, Travelin' Man"