NESP Forum

Got a heads-up from an observant friend - sessions like this - performing with other musicians he admires - probably rank as some of Taylor's favorite times

Jambands.com entries for 12-11-08
http://www.jambands.com:80/News.phtml?ne...ws355.html

Hannah’s Buddy John Bell

Over the weekend, Widespread Panic’s John Bell hosted his Hannah's Buddies benefit at Orlando, FL’s House of Blues. The annual event, which raises money for children afflicted with the neuromuscular disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy, has blossomed into a two-day fundraiser, featuring a golf tournament, silent auction, dinner and, of course, variety of live music. .......................

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ETA: afraid the piece may get pushed too far down to be easily found so am bringing it over. Hope some of you will still check out the jambands.com site anyway.


Hannah’s Buddy John Bell

Over the weekend, Widespread Panic’s John Bell hosted his Hannah's Buddies benefit at Orlando, FL’s House of Blues. The annual event, which raises money for children afflicted with the neuromuscular disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy, has blossomed into a two-day fundraiser, featuring a golf tournament, silent auction, dinner and, of course, variety of live music. This year’s festivities featured performances by benefit veteran Michael Nichol, funk/soul collective The Dynamites and, of course, Bell himself. The guitarist’s set featured a mix of Panic staples, such as “Radio Child,” songs from the new Free Somehow, like the road-tested “Tickle the Truth,” and a wide range of covers, including Joe Strummer’s “Johnny Appleseed” (with Bell performing on mandolin). A number of guests also joined Bell during his performance, including longtime Widespread Panic manager Buck Williams, who played harmonica on both “Mind On Vacation” and Loudon Wainwright III’s “Golfin’ Blues,” and American Idol champ Taylor Hicks, who performed on Bill Withers’ “Use Me.” Earlier in the night, Bell also joined The Dynamites for a take on The Meters’ “Just Kissed My Baby.” Widespread Panic’s Free Somehow hits stores tomorrow.

That's awesome. Glad to hear he is out and performing with those he admires and that he is being seen my the fans of those people/groups!

Actually, Taylor is touring in a way, he's doing the charity circuit.
Wise move-good opportunities for new fans, great way to make
contacts, and do something for someone else at the same time.
What's not to love?

Great that he can drop in unannounced and do what he loves best....being on stage performing with other artists and at the same helping with a charity.

How about a little audio!

Widespread Panic always puts media up on their website after a performance like this.

http://panicstream.net/streams/john_bell...layer.html

This is just MHO but I just listened to them and I don't like them at all.Used me I thought was horrible just over extended use of vocals yuck I thought Taylor was trying to sound to much like everyone else in the band.Nice harp playing just did not care for the vocals at all.I'm glad he likes them but I really hope he dosen't point his music down that road.

Lisa, Taylor has been a fan of Widespread Panic for a long time.
If I remember correctly without going to my files, one of the first bands he was involved with, "Passing Though" I think, was started as a WSP cover band.
He has sat in with them several times before that we know of and I think had opened for them.
It was reported during the tour that Taylor was caught sneaking down the street where they were playing while his own opening act was on stage - can't remember the concert city but remember very well chuckling when I read about it.
Guess if he were going to go in that direction he would have done so by now.

btw since it wasn't just Taylor on vocals of course he would blend to the band he is sitting in with - he always does that - and I like raw Taylor so fine with me
Charles Walker & The Dynamites w/ JB on vocals & Taylor Hicks on vocals/harmonica

I like some but not all of what WSP does - but can say that about almost everyone I listen to

Isn't it great that we all have our own opinions, likes and dislikes but we all have one common thing. Music is our love.

I haven't listened to it yet. I bought one WSP cd a while ago and was not a huge fan either. Perhaps to see them live would be a better way for me to experience them...or who knows! Some like chocolate, some like vanilla, some like neither!

AgingHippie, He did this at Cleveland Concert 033007...WSP was at the HOB down the street for their encore I believe...and I believe Michael Warren was his opener that night..


ETA: You can take Taylor out of the JamBand but you can't take the JamBand out of Taylor!

Thanks cochem - - you beat me over here

Just a rambling thought:
Music is always a matter of one's personal taste -
and that belief is why some of us so heartily hate what the big labels do with respect to control of the airways.
One of the reasons I think many miss Gray's site so much is that it was possible to share opinions and information freely without worrying how it would be received. As I and others have described it so many times - GC-I especially was truly about Music Appreciation 101. While there were definite opinions expressed, sometimes strongly - and often attempts to persuade - there was rarely any rancor in the discussions.

I myself have mixed reactions to WSP's recorded work but I like their live performances - - this show is pure jamband and I am enjoying it immensely. Just to be clear in case it was misinterpreted - - my post on Taylor's history with WSP was not intended as a comment on anyone's like or dislike of WSP - it was noted purely as information.

And I agree with cochem - Taylor's bar/jam band years are a big part of what has formed his own style and he has a lasting fondness for that pure pleasure in making music with his peers. If anyone wants to sample that side of Taylor's musical history there are sets like the Open Door Cafe and the 2005 Christmas at Workplay available.


The reason I actually came back into this thread- - -
In addition to cochem's Widespread Panic streaming link that Amy brought over from Boogie upthread -
Blondi has now made a download available. I haven't asked permission to post the download link because we are a publicly read site but if anyone wants the Sendspace file the media and jambands write up have been merged into one thread under News or just PM me.