We just can’t get enough of Widespread Panic’s Porch Songs series of two-track sourced archival releases. After decades of shying away from archival releases, the band and its archivist – Horace Moore – have been putting out Porch Songs at a dizzying pace. Today comes news of the recent release of the fifth installment of Porch Songs featuring every note played at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago back on Halloween ’96.
[Photo by Jeremy Stein]
WSP’s Halloween shows always include a few choice covers and 10/31/96 was no exception. On this night, JB and the boys covered Golden Earring’s Radar Love, The Doors’ Riders On The Storm, ZZ Top’s Sheik and Deep Purple’s Space Truckin’. Each cover was nailed with Riders On The Storm being a personal favorite. This show wasn’t only about the covers as there’s excellent versions of Chilly Water and Fishwater as well as a rare Coconuts and Mike Houser’s long-forgotten quickie West Virginia.
With over 25 years of material in the vaults, there’s no reason this torrid pace of releases can’t continue. We can’t wait to see what Moore has in store for Porch Songs #6. CLICK HERE to read Moore’s essay on 10/31/96 and CLICK HERE to purchase Porch Songs #5 – Halloween ’96.
