Widespread Panic
The Joint @ The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas, NV
03/27/2015
Set 1: (68 mins)
01 intro 1
02 Sell, Sell >
03 And It Stoned Me
04 Give
05 Can’t Get High,
06 Cotton Was King
07 Disco >
08 Diner >
09 Rock
10 Ain’t Life Grand*
Set 2: (70 mins)
01 intro 2
02 Junior >
03 Stop Breakin’ Down Blues >
04 Party At Your Mama’s House (That Thang) >
05 Bear’s Gone Fishin’ >
06 Papa’s Home >
07 Drumz >
08 Angels On High^,
09 Life During Wartime^**
10 crowd
Encore: (20 mins)
“This one goes out to the girl with the Robert Plant hair. See you up there.” -DAS
11 Pickin’ Up The Pieces^,
12 Vampire Blues^,
13 Chainsaw City^**
* JB on tiny guitar
^ w/ Karl Denson on sax
**Carrot Top on percussion
Schoeps MK22>NOS>KC5>CMC6>analog>788T (HPF 0) 24/48
OTS, DFC, Section behind SBD – 8′ high
Recorded by Bennett Schwartz
Karen Friedman
From Shannon Kiss on behalf of us:
No one loves music more than you … Well, when it came to Widespread Panic, Karen gave all of us a run for our money in that department. From the moment they pulled her in, she was a bright part of each night, dedicated with setlist book in hand, connecting people, opening her home, sharing whatever she had to give and laughing and dancing her way through all of it. There just aren’t any words to explain or describe the void that we’re all feeling right now. A part of us is gone – a huge part of us, because we all shared so many great moments that Karen was a part of. We’re all connected to each other, and she runs thru all of us and the road we’ve taken together for 2 decades. With bright smile, twinkling eyes, big hugs, extra waters, stickers, jokes, space, love… From Europe to NY, Atlanta and Oak Mtn, she’s been there. She’s always been there, so to try to understand her not being there feels impossible. To try to understand Dave’s loss right now is unfathomable. But, all who know her know that she’d want nothing more than for us to celebrate her life through music, laughter and each other. She built a life and family and found love through music – the music of Widespread Panic. Now, she’s lucky to be with all of those in this family on the other side. And, she’s bringing us together again in this moment in ways we haven’t been before…..still running through us and keeping that connection tight. No one – not anyone loves music more than she did. We love and miss you greatly, Karen!
Today is March 27, 2015. Was this a significant date for me? Not really. But it has taken on a whole new meaning. Earlier tonight, I was pulling into a parking spot near Fenway Park in Boston, as I was on my way to a music show. I was on the guest list to record Blackberry Smoke, an Atlanta band I am very fond of. I see lots of shows in the course of a week, month, and year. So this was what you may think of as an ordinary evening for me. That changed as I received a phone call from Stacey Ochs Fraley. “You heard the news”? My answer was no, what happened to who? The fact that I am horrible with Facebook as everyone will attest, had me in the dark on this one. She tried to choke back the tears. I heard the words Karen Friedman and my heart skipped. It sank into the depths of my gut. NO! It can’t be! It had to be a mistake. Denial was not helping me. She explained what she had heard. I was instantly numb. I had lost a taper friend who died in a horrible train crash north of New York City last month. And now, more terrible news of losing another very good friend. And then the phone calls and texts kept coming. I called Chris, my wife. She is so much more on top of keeping up with friends, especially on Face Book. She had not heard as she was on her way home from work. She had basically the same reaction as I had, disbelief.
I went into my show in somewhat of a daze. I taped the 2 opening bands and then Blackberry Smoke. The crowd was energized and frenetic. I was not, as I was in another world. I was so far removed from my show. I traded a few texts with Dave. As lost as I seemed, I thought, how is he functioning and comprehending what is going on? A couple people suggested I write something about Karen. Usually about now I am processing my show so I can expeditiously upload it. Well, tonight, I am trading that process to remember Karen.
I have known Karen close to 20 years, and Dave at least 15. I was friends before they were a couple and truly loved them as good friends. I was with them in Las Vegas at the first Vegoose when he proposed to her in October 2005. She was SO happy! Sam Boyd Stadium could have crumbled around us and it would not have phased her happiness. I would be remiss if I did not mention this. Matthew Farrelli was with us along with 30 other in our little group. He may not remember that day quite so well. He could not put to words together to save his life. I tried talking to him and it was fruitless. I went over to Dave and Karen and said, “What the hell did you do to him”? His answer was quick and to the point. “He asked me to take him as far out there as I could, without going over the edge”. I said, congratulations, you succeeded.
Well, Chris and I along with so many friends saw Dave and Karen unite in marriage. With all the familiar faces, it almost felt like we were at a Widespread Panic show, except overdressed! It was truly a blast as far as weddings go. Karen loved her Widespread Panic and Black Crowes. She was very knowledgeable when it came to music. We could always compare notes for all the shows we attended together and express our opinions.(And yes, she used to keep notes scrawled on her little notepad) The shows in the backyard of the Fox Brothers where we ate glorious BBQ and heard great tunes were more great times!
I had so many happy moments, laughs, travels, music and stories to last a lifetime. You see, most anytime I was with Karen, it was usually at a show. A can’t miss opportunity for fun and excitement! Dave and Karen were always great traveling companions. We traveled together to see Charles and Ashley get married back in 2010. We have traveled back from Orange Beach, Alabama. Karen had the ability to walk into a room, and the room would brighten up just from her presence. She was never at a loss for words, always contributing to the conversation. In New Orleans for the Halloween run in 2002, she was hanging all 3 nights with me. She made the mistake of complaining about the song, Henry Parsons Died. She said she was sick of how many times she had heard it. From that night on, whenever I
was at a show where Panic played it, she got a phone call from me. Even if the show was being streamed, she would hear from me! I was in Oakland last Saturday 3/21/2015. I was fully expecting Panic to play it and I was going to call Karen! That would have been my last phone call to Karen, only they never played it. Now whenever it is played, I will look up into the heavens and know you will be listening to it with Mikey!
I have a ton of admiration for a common friend or ours, Shannon Kiss. She went through a similar circumstance years ago when she lost her best friend and husband Wayne Sawyer. Dave, she has been a rock! She is once person I can say that could be a huge help to you. Sorry Shannon about putting you on the block, but you are a pillar of strength. We can all learn from your experience and knowledge.
So, no post show eats. No post show torrent. No post show stream to listen to. This was the 3/27/2015 post show! I know it is cliche, but life is short. Life is fragile. Take the time to love one another and embrace each other. You never know what tomorrow may bring. Karen, we all love you and miss you! Dave, we all love you and please know we are all here for you to lean on. That’s what friends and family are for. It is our right and privlidge to support you! Karen, Rest in Peace, but still get up and boogie in heaven!
Heaven (David Byrne)
Everyone’s tryin’ to get to the bar
The name of the bar, the bar is called Heaven
In Heaven the band plays our favorite song
They play it one more time they play it all night long
Oh! Heaven. It is a place
A place where nothing, nothing ever happens
And there is a party. Everyone is there.
Everybody gonna leave at exactly the same time.
Its hard to imagine that nothin’ at all
Could be so exciting, could be this much fun.
Oh! Heaven. It is a place
A place where nothing, nothing ever happens
And when the kiss is over, we’ll start again.
It won’t feel any different. In fact it’s exactly the same.
Its hard to imagine that nothin’ at all
Could be so exciting, or this much fun
Oh! Heaven. It is a place
A place where nothing, nothing ever happens
Oh! Heaven. It is a place
A place where nothing, nothing ever happens
Love and Soulshine,
Z-Man
Photo by Josh Timmermans
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