Bluest Tape

First Variations Classic Panic Songs Get a Facelift So, once you get past Harvey’s condescension and, frankly, outright hostility towards Jeff for not “understanding” this week’s theme, this is pretty damn fine episode of The Bluest Tape. We tackle “first variations” of classic songs, including lengthy versions of “Airplane,” “Tallboy,” and “Wondering,” and also slow “Porch Song,” diving deep, especially, into the evolution of a couple of these songs and debating which other short Panic songs could become vehicles for expansion. We will definitely be coming back this way again. Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 08 September 1995 - Raleigh, NC - Walnut Creek Amphitheater Heroes > Impossible > Airplane > Love Tractor Source: SBD 05 June 1996 - St. Paul, OR - Champoeg State Park Driving Song > Tallboy > Jam > Driving Song > Breathing Slow Source: SBD 27 May 1998 - Mesa, AZ - Mesa Amphitheater Rebirtha > Wondering > Pilgrims > Greta Source: Microtech Geffels 21 May 1993 - Atlanta

A Low Country Boil: Panic Does Charleston Harvey’s back from sabbatical and the band is back together for our 58th episode - can you believe it? This week, we take a trip down to Charleston, SC for some Low Country Panic. The band has been playing there for nigh on 30 years, and delivering some classic performances over the years. We touch on a great, cover-heavy, early show from 1988; a great SBD recording from 1993; and a stellar first set selection from September 1997. Tip back a beverage with some airline bottle liquor (if you’ve lived in Charleston or been there beyond the last couple years, you know what we’re talking about) and settle in for the pod - enjoy! Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 04 March 1988 - Charleston, SC - Captain Harry’s Me & My Uncle > Travelin’ Light, Wooden Ships > Another Man Done Gone Source: SBD 23 September 1993 - Charleston, SC - The Music Farm Rock, Worry, Me & the Devil Blues Source: SBD 27 September 1997 - Charleston, SC - Joe Riley S

Lagniappe #4: A Tasty Treat from Spring 1998 We’re taking a little break from our usual programming this week. We hope you like this little taste from the spring 1998 tour closer in Iowa City, IA. Jeff even mentions going camping again! Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 03 May 1998 - Iowa City, IA - Hubbard Park, University of Iowa Diner > Driving Song > Fishwater > Driving Song > Happy > Hatfield Source: AKG 483 > EAA PSP-2 > DA-P1>(Post Production)>SONY R500 with SBM on Taped by Eric Levita (Smiley), Conversion by Eric Foelske Photo is of exterior of the, sadly now closed, Denny's right off of I-65 in Franklin, Kentucky, just across the KY-TN state line.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lagniappe #2: A Tasty Treat from Fall 1999 We’re taking a little break from our usual programming this week. We hope you this little taste of Widespread Panic from Fall Tour 1999 and a quick little story about Jeff’s 1996 Pontiac Grand Am. Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 24 October 1999 - Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom Fishwater, C. Brown, B of D > Pigeons > Me & the Devil Blues Source: AKG 483 > Oade m248 > SBM-1 > DAT by Jeff Frank  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

20 years ago, on April 18, 1998, Widespread Panic played a free record release release party to approximately 100,000 fans on the streets of their hometown Athens, Georgia. There were a lot of challenges to pulling something like this off, but with that band in that place at that time, it almost seemed meant to be. Coming off of a European tour which saw the band playing in some of the smallest venues they had played in a decade, they returned to their hometown and played to the largest crowd they had ever played to. And boy were they up to the task. A good chunk of the show was released on VHS, CD, and then finally DVD. This week, we play all of the tunes from this show that were not released officially. Included are three debuts: "All Time Low", "One Arm Steve", and "Christmas Katie" as well as some fantastic versions of Panic classics like "Diner" and the apt "Papa's Home". We also were lucky enough to be joined by Gordon Lamb, Senior Writer and Columnist for Flagpole, and author of the new book, Wid

Light Fuse, Get Away: Vol. 2, Disc One 20 years later - A Modern Mix, Vol. 2 This week we present Volume Two of our tribute to the 20th anniversary of Panic’s first - and greatest - live album, “Light Fuse, Get Away.” Last week, we created a first set; this week, we go with a second set that could have been played during spring/summer of 1997. Same rules apply: all SBDs and no repeats. Sure, it might be a little far afield, to have two instrumentals pre-drums. Yeah, it might be a bit absurd to have a set open with “Bowlegged Woman” and close with “Dear Mr. Fantasy.” Then, to follow it up with a “Low Spark” in the encore, well, there just might be a big old pile of melted faces laying on the dance floor. Last week, we restrained our inner fanboys; this week, not so much. Enjoy! We are pleased to announce that we are now part of the Osiris Podcast Network, and brand new venture that brings together the finest Phish, Grateful Dead, and lifestyle podcasts together in one place. Check them out - www.osirisp

Light Fuse, Get Away: Vol. 2, Disc One 20 years later - A Modern Mix, Vol. 1 Pretty impossible to believe, but Widespread Panic’s first live album, “Light Fuse, Get Away” dropped twenty years ago this month. A true watershed in the band’s career, the album highlights the excellent Spring and Summer Tours of 1997. To celebrate this anniversary, we take a crack at putting together a Volume Two of “Light Fuse, Get Away.” Using only SBD recordings from the same tours, and no repeats from the album, we have put together what could certainly been reasonable first set from 1997. Sure, it would be great to include all of favorite songs, but come on, we cannot be total fanboys, can we? Join us as we visit Baltimore in July, and Asbury Park, suburban Austin, and Washington, DC in April. Disc One: Tie Your Shoes Fishwater Radio Child Genesis B of D The Last Straw You Got Yours Jack Fishwater We are pleased to announce that we are now part of the Osiris Podcast Network, and brand new venture that brings

Paris 98: The Chesterfield Chronicles, Volume 2 Widespread Panique in Paris 1998 Well, here we go, the final five shows from the epic ten show run from the Chesterfield Cafe. The boys brought the heat the first five nights, took a couple days off (Eiffel Tower? Louvre?), got all wound up again, and closed the run out with a bang. We get things rolling with a stellar “Impossible” on March 24, followed by a nasty “Driving Song > Arleen” sandwich on March 25. The last three nights have great moments, too, with hot versions of classic tracks like “Diner” and “Stop-Go,” and we close it out with what we think might be the best “Weight of the World” the band has ever played. Next time we do this, maybe we’ll learn some French and do the pod all bilingual-like. The episode kicks off with the second half of our conversation with Jonathan Spencer, a Panic stalwart from years gone by. Enjoy! We are pleased to announce that we are now part of the Osiris Podcast Network, and brand new venture that brings together t

The Chesterfield Chronicles, Volume 1 Widespread Panique in Paris 1998 Twenty years ago this month, Widespread Panic embarked on their first Transatlantic journey, landing in Paris for a what has become a legendary ten show run. Playing in front of a crowd that was at least 80-90% American each night out, the band rolled through classics, rarely played favorites, and took some serious setlist risks, too. While the sonic quality of the tapes leaves a bit to be desired, it is pretty amazing to hear the fans up and close personal with the band and their fellow travelers (a lot “Shhhhs” during the run!). All told, these shows represent some of Panic’s finest work, and, really set the stage for the Travelin’ Light Tour. This week, we look at the first five shows, filled with too many highlights to mention. Pay attention, though, to the smoking hot “Love Tractor” from 3/18 and damn fine “It Ain’t No Use” from 3/19. We start the episode chatting with Jonathan Spencer a Panic stalwart from years gone by. He tel

The Golden Anniversary Bracketology Spectacular! FIFTY episodes, y’all! That’s FIFTY! Wow, we made it through almost a year of this crazy show and we’re ready to celebrate with our picks for the 2018 NCAA Tournament. Our picks coincide with some hot selections from Panic’s catalog. Harvey took the South and West brackets, choosing his beloved Kentucky Wildcats and the Xavier Musketeers, respectively, for the Final Four. Jeff, took the East and Midwest brackets, and chose the Villanova Wildcats and the Michigan State Spartans. So, while it’s guaranteed that NONE of these teams will make the Final Four in San Antonio, we can guarantee that you’ll love the music we chose as we visit great shows from Lexington 1996, Cincinnati 1997, Philadelphia 1999, and East Lansing 1995. We are pleased to announce that we are now part of the Osiris Podcast Network, and brand new venture that brings together the finest Phish, Grateful Dead, and lifestyle podcasts together in one place. Check them out - www.osirispod.com.

We’re Kind of Like Archaeologists! Whatever Happened To…??? Songs come and go - not everything can be around for 1,100-plus versions, like “Porch Song” and “Chilly Water.” Some of these songs make you wish they were still in the mix, and others make sense as to why they went away. Tonight, after some serious digging around the archive, we give you a mix of the two. This week, we start out with “Sun Keep,” a cool little Houser-led instrumental from 1990, and follow it up with “Benefactor,” a JB and Sunny rarity only played four times in the early nineties. Next, we visit Tipitina’s in NOLA for “Dog Song” and “Smoke and Burn,” two tracks played quite often but seem to have gone away for good. We close it out with another Houser song, “It Was You,” and “New Blue,” a nice mid-tempo ditty from Fall Tour 2001. We are pleased to announce that we are now part of the Osiris Podcast Network, and brand new venture that brings together the finest Phish, Grateful Dead, and lifestyle podcasts together in one place.

The Return of the Alyrical Miracles An Instrumental Ethos, Volume 2 Hard to believe that it has been almost a year since we dropped our first episode highlighting Widespread Panic’s vast catalog of instrumentals. We run it back this week by revisiting a few of our favorite shows (6/7/98 and 10/27/00), visit a smoker from fall 1996 (of which there are many), a wildly underrated show from 1999, and post-Halloween gem from 2000. Just one week after we launch into Panic 3.0, we jump back to 2005 and visit Panic 2.0 for the first time for a cover of “Last Date,” the monster 1960 pop hit by Floyd Cramer. Welcome to The Bluest Tape, George McConnell - we’ll see you again soon! We are pleased to announce that we are now part of the Osiris Podcast Network, and brand new venture that brings together the finest Phish, Grateful Dead, and lifestyle podcasts together in one place. Check them out - www.osirispod.com. Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 22 October 1996 - Knoxville, TN - Tennesse

It’s A New Day Panic en la Playa 2018, A Conversation with Curtis George, and Breaking News! Well, we did it. It only took 47 episodes and well over 100 hours of Widespread Panic to FINALLY play something recorded after July 2, 2002. To usher in this new era for The Bluest Tape, we invite Mr. Curtis George, the creator and overseer of Panicstream.com, the essential online streaming source not just for live Widespread Panic, but dozens of other bands, too. Curtis lets us in on how his site got started, how it keeps it going, what he thinks about the current state of the band, and how good of a time he had down at Panic en la Playa. Hey, it’s good to have someone on the show that still actually goes to shows, right? Great picks, Curtis - come back anytime! Oh, and from the Department of Lead Burying, we are pleased to announce that we are now part of the Osiris Podcast Network, and brand new venture that brings together the finest Phish, Grateful Dead, and lifestyle podcasts together in one place. Check

“Love,” Panic-Style Happy Valentine’s Day! Young Lovers! You are in luck tonight as your friends here at The Bluest Tape have provided you with the perfect soundtrack for Valentine’s Day 2018. We have the set for you - a tender love song or two (including the 2nd greatest love song as delivered by a Filipino Elvis Tribute Artist!), a not-so tender love song or two, and some songs about, well, the physical act of “love.” But, of course, these songs come with a warning, too - just be careful of your audience, fellas, as you might end up sending the wrong kind of message with a few of these picks. Regardless, sit back (or lie down), enjoy your chocolates and your champagne, and turn it up on this most special of all Hallmark holidays. Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 24 February 1994 - Charlotte, NC - The Capri Can’t Help Falling In Love (w/ Renelvis on vocals), Chilly Water Source: Unknown single stereo mic>home analog cassette deck 01 November 1996 - Milwaukee, WI - Modjeska Th

Raise Another Glass Panic + Beer, Volume 2 Last week, we did malty beers. This week, we do hoppy beers. The complete yin-and-yang of Jeff and Harvey is on display, although we do tend to agree on our Panic selections. Each pick this episode features a special guest. Harvey gets us started up in Stowe, VT, the home of the East Coast IPA, with a 1993 show featuring Warren Haynes’ second guest spot with Panic. Then, we jump ahead to two 1995 shows, one featuring the underrated Gibb Droll, the other with the great David Blackmon on fiddle. For the latter, Harvey pairs it with a hoppy beer that Jeff actually does enjoy, the Bearded Iris Homestyle. We close it out with probably one of the most famous sit-ins of all-time, September 7, 1997 with Branford Marsallis and Buckshot Lafonque. So, grab a pint, a bottle, a can, a growler, or a keg-stand, and enjoy this week’s show. Skol! Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 31 July 1993 - Stowe, VT - H.O.R.D.E. Festival Can’t Get High, Chilly Wate

Cheers to Your Friends So Near! Panic + Beer, Volume 1 We can agree that nothing goes better with Widespread Panic than a ice cold beer, right? Now, we’re not talking about $8.00 domestic macro brews in a summer shed, but rather one of the many wonderful barley pops made by hand throughout our fair land. This week, Jeff shares four of his favorite brown ales and matches them up with selections from Panic’s past. We get things started down in Tampa, Florida with a great segment from early 1993 and a Cigar City Maduro. From there we head north to Kalamazoo, MI, down to Memphis, TN, and back up the Mississippi River again to St. Paul, MN. Hope you like the music and hope you’ll seek out the beers we talk about, too! Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 16 January 1993 - Tampa, FL - Ritz Theater Chilly Water > Drums > Henry Parsons Died > Chilly Water Source: SBD > DAT Beer Pairing: Cigar City Maduro 29 October 1996 - Kalamazoo, MI - State Theater Nobody’s Fault But Mine > Machine > B

More Skiing and More Sitting A Journey Through Sit n Ski ‘96, Part 2 Here we are, part two of our journey through the epic 1996 Sit n Ski Tour through the Rocky Mountains. At some point during these two episodes, Harvey mentioned the strong feelings folks have about the tour, those that love it and others that loathe it. Really? People don’t like Sit n Ski? We thought the only thing we argued about in Panic world was about guitar players! There are moments of sheer brilliance, y’all...BRILLIANCE. To prove the point, we dug up some gems to hopefully change the minds of the doubters, including perhaps the super sleeper show of the tour, January 31 in Colorado Springs. Enjoy! Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 29 January 1996 - Vail, CO - Garton’s Stop-Go Source: AKG414B/ULS > Oade Deluxe > Technics SV-MD1 31 January 1996 - Colorado Springs, CO - Juan Reed Gym Driving Song > Junior > Driving Song; It Ain’t No Use > Tie Your Shoes > Henry Parsons Died Source: B&K 4011 > Lunatec

We’re Not So Sure About the Skiing, but We’re Totally Cool with the Sitting Part A Journey Through Sit n Ski ‘96, Part 1 Hard to believe that the legendary Sit n Ski Tour was some 22 years ago this month. What a tour it was, the band hanging out for almost a full month in the Rocky Mountains, mostly in ski resort towns, but a few urban areas and college towns thrown in for good measure. Sit n Ski evolved from the first show to the last, starting out as a true acoustic show with some solo spots and guests like David Blackmon adding some incredible texture, depth, and emotion. Later, though, the tour becomes a sneak peek of what would become an incredible year in the band’s history. In this first episode, Harvey looks at the bookends of the tour, starting out in Boulder and Breckenridge, a brief stopover in Aspen, and then onto Crested Butte for the tour closer. Enjoy the ride! Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 18 January 1996 - Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre The Take Out > Porch Song S

New Year, New Songs (Or At Least Once Upon A Time They Were New) Debuts! The Bluest Tape kicks off 2018 proper-like with a set full of debuts from the mid-to-late 1990s. The Stable Geniuses here at the beloved pod have culled some interesting material this week, starting with very first “Diner,” oddly enough, from T. Lavitz’s next-to-last show in February 1992. Then, we head all the way out to Santa Fe for a pretty solid “Blackout Blues” from 1993 (Was it actually the best version ever? Maybe…), and back east for “Gradle” (1995) and “Greta” (1996). Apologies if you don’t like the lengthy conversation about Jackopierce. We close it out with return trips to Ames, IA in 1997 and Madison, WI in 1998 for the very first “You’ll Be Fine” and “Blue Indian,” respectively. We also give you our (likely incorrect) picks for the National Championship Game and talk about albums from 48 years ago. So, go ahead and press the “big button” and give us a listen again this week! Links below go to whole show streams from

Looks Like We Made it Without a Glitch Happy New Moment! “Looks like we made it without a glitch!” - Dave Schools, 12/31/99 Oh, New Year’s Eve. While it might be second to only Valentine’s Day in the annals of overrated holidays, it at least is a night for some epic concerts, from the Dead and the Allmans, to Panic and Phish. This week, we celebrate New Year’s Eve’s from Panic’s glory years, focusing on 1995 to 1999, all in the state of Georgia, each year getting bigger and bigger, culminating in the Millenium show at Philips Arena. While these shows might have some bust-outs, FTPs, and rarities, NYE Panic shows are best known for classic tracks played incredibly well. Wanna hear a top-3 “Hatfield?” We got it. Wanna hear an epic slow “Porch?” Got that too. Hope y’all made it through NYE safe and sound and that you haven’t broken your resolutions quite yet! Links below go to whole show streams from Panicstream. 31 December 1995 - Macon, GA - Macon Coliseum Send Your Mind > Tallboy Source: SBD/AUD M