Me and the Devil Blues/Heaven - Widespread Panic, Byrne, David
Built on a solid foundation of Southern rock but given a contemporary spin that places them in the vanguard of current jam bands, Widespread Panic take an obvious respect for the past and turn it to their advantage as they... more » plot the sound of the future. Space Wrangler is the album that started it all for Panic, introducing loose-limbed rhythmic excursions such as "Coconut" and trance-inducing jams like "Travelin' Light" and "Chilly Water" on an album initially released in the Atlanta area on the Landslide label. The 1992 reissue, courtesy of Capricorn, comes complete with three bonus tracks--"Holden Oversoul," "Contentment Blues," and a likely unprecedented combination of Robert Johnson and Talking Heads tunes on "Me and the Devil Blues" and "Heaven." --Daniel Durchholz« less
Built on a solid foundation of Southern rock but given a contemporary spin that places them in the vanguard of current jam bands, Widespread Panic take an obvious respect for the past and turn it to their advantage as they plot the sound of the future. Space Wrangler is the album that started it all for Panic, introducing loose-limbed rhythmic excursions such as "Coconut" and trance-inducing jams like "Travelin' Light" and "Chilly Water" on an album initially released in the Atlanta area on the Landslide label. The 1992 reissue, courtesy of Capricorn, comes complete with three bonus tracks--"Holden Oversoul," "Contentment Blues," and a likely unprecedented combination of Robert Johnson and Talking Heads tunes on "Me and the Devil Blues" and "Heaven." --Daniel Durchholz
chefbigjon | Phoenix, Arizona United States | 01/20/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This almbum still rocks after all these years. Driving Song is absolutely amazing. There are too many good songs on this album."
Fantastic first album
kireviewer | Sunnyvale, Ca United States | 11/04/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album was originally sold as cassette tapes at concerts. It finally came out as a CD around the same time as the second CD in 1991. Two bonus tracks were added to the CD. It is now 64 minutes long.
The sound quality on this CD is very good. It is hard to believe that this was originally a low budget, independent recording.
This is just a fantastic collection of hard driving, Southern rock songs. It is hard to describe and is not like other southern rock music.
The band plays with remarkable maturity and confidence. They establish a new sound and proudly play it.
This CD, and their second CD (simply called Widespread Panic) are both jaw-dropping, fantastic albums. On both CD's the band is a quartet that has a complex, but stripped down sound. It is the perfect sound for their hard driving style and songwriting.
After this album, the band would add a permanent percussionist and keyboardist. While they may be necessary for a live show, these additions really hurt the band on their studio albums. None of the following studio albums would even come close to the greatest of the first two albums.
"
Great album
Todd A. Balzer | k-town Germany | 07/31/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is by far my favorite WSP album. The only song I don't really care for is "Contentment Blues".
The additions to the album "Me And The Devil Blues/ Heaven" is a great addition. They're one of the best tracks on the album.
If you've heard Widespread Panic and like what you've heard so far you need to get this album."
Widespread Rules!!
Hr Block Client | Chi-town USA | 06/26/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I recently crushed my foot(broken in several places) and have been recooperating with the help of W.P. Although I have been heavily medicated most of the time this is still some of the greatest music I have ever heard. I've been a Widespread fan for a while, but until recently I have only owned 3 of their CD's. In the last month I've purchased every CD they have. They just get better and better. I can't wait til I break something else!"