Want Some Jam With That? Widespread Panic, Gov't Mule, The String Cheese Incident and other members of the Jam Nation

Widespread Panic
Uber Cobra
Widespread Records

A live acoustic-leaning donut from the same series of shows that birthed the recently released Night of Joy, Cobra reminds us why the Panic came on the radar in the first place. The first two tracks, a bubbling take on Neil Young's "Walk On" and the band's own "Wonderin'," serve up the kind of infectious grooves that make for involuntary head-bobbing and Pavlovian torso swaying. Other gems here include a thoughtful pass through David Byrne's "City of Dreams," a lush pedal steel- inflected reading of Vic Chestnut's "Expiration Day" and a crowd-pleasing version of Blind Faith classic "Can't Find My Way Home." New guitarist George McConnell shines throughout while old-hand John Bell flexes his vocals to winning results.


Warren Haynes
Live at Bonnaroo
ATO Records

One man, one voice, one amplified acoustic guitar and thousands of revelers in a field in Tennessee. Having played with several groups at the Bonnaroo 2003 festival, Haynes, now one of the busiest guys on the roots music scene, managed to break from the jam-pack and go solo for a 16-tune set. His acoustic foray, which opens with a version of Radiohead's "Lucky," also features a run through U2's "One," Don Henley's "Wasted Time," and a handful of originals, including a paean to the late Jerry Garcia, "Patchwork Quilt." The sound is spare while Warren's voice is simultaneously road-jaded and soulful. The Liner notes mention that he'd been carousing with Widespread Panic until the wee hours the night prior to the performance and thus was riding a coffee buzz for this "early" (12:30 p.m.) outing. These rockstars got it rough. Don't miss "Soulshine," with vocal assistance from South Africa's Vusi Mahlasela. Not too shabby.


Gov't Mule
Deja Voodoo
ATO Records