(RockAndMetal.com) (03/22/04)

By Michael Bennett

NEW YORK, NY, USA - Musical troubadours WIDESPREAD PANIC will release their new live CD, "Night Of Joy," tomorrow on Widespread/Sanctuary Records.

Known for their legendary live performances, "Night Of Joy" is compiled from two of Widespread Panic's most recent concerts, taped at the House Of Blues in Myrtle Beach, SC on November 6th & 7th, 2003.

The live CD is both a follow up and companion to "Another Joyous Occasion" (released in 2000), both CD's featuring Widespread Panic performing with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band on horns and rhythm.

"Night Of Joy" features 6 original Widespread Panic tunes, along with several covers including Stevie Wonder's 'I Wish' and Bill Withers' 'Use Me.'

Widespread Panic favorite 'Bayou Lena' was inspired by the book "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole, while 'Rebirtha' was written about the Major League Baseball strike.

Also notable is 'Bust It Big,' a relatively new song (6 months old) for the band.

Widespread Panic fans are accustomed to hearing the songs transpire over time, as WP is notorious for playing and working into songs for several years prior to ever recording them.

2003 was a banner year for Widespread Panic, as they continued to sell out live dates across the country, headlined the Bonnaroo Festival, sold out two nights at New York's Madison Square Garden, and set a record at Colorado's famed Red Rocks.

Widespread Panic have sold more tickets in that venue than any other band in history, with 21 sold-out shows to date.

2004 will be an anomaly of sorts for the band as they take their first year-long hiatus in over 18 years.

That's correct, one of America's most popular touring bands is taking the year off, scheduled to return in 2005.

Luckily fans can take solace in the release of "Night Of Joy" and two additional live albums to follow later this year.

"Night Of Joy" Track Listing:

1. Thought Sausage (5:31)
2. Thin Air (7:50)
3. Use Me (8:26)
4. Bayou Lena (6:41)
5. Old Neighborhood (6:16)
6. Bust It Big (9:05)
7. Arleen (10:21)
8. I Wish (6:56)
9. Rebirtha (17:12)

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