Concert Review: Widespread Panic at the Midland, Night Two

BY ELGIN SMITH

The second night of Widespread Panic’s engagement at the Midland Theater definitely started off with more of a well-rounded sound than the first show of the band’s two-night stand at the Midland did. The band kicked off last night’s first set with “Ain’t Life Grand,” and I was immediately struck by how it (and the first few numbers) didn’t go over the top with rapid-fire guitar solos. Guitarist Jimmy Herring was playing “with” the band, something I felt he elected not to do on Tuesday.

Most of the first set kept the audience cheering, with only one extended jam. “Up All Night” was a crowd favorite, and the people in last nigh’ts crowd — greater in number than on Tuesday — let Panic know how they felt.

Herring sounded great on “Little Lilly,” showing a melodic side that I hadn’t really heard before. The last selection of the first set was a cover of Taj Mahal’s blues staple, “She Caught the Katy.” This song has been covered by a ton of people, and Panic definitely gave it more of a rock treatment. To my ears, it just seemed like a Skynyrd-ized version of the song, with a faster tempo and not much feeling. While the crowd seemed to get into it, I’ve gotta say it didn’t even come close to the catchy, walking-bass version that Blues Brothers fans are used to.