Ain't Life Grand (Widespread Panic album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Ain't Life Grand
Type = Studio album
Artist = Widespread Panic


Released = September 6, 1994
Recorded =
Genre = Rock, southern rock, jam
Length = 57:38
Label = Capricorn Records
Producer = John Keane
Reviews =
* Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=A1srp28ot05ja link]
*"Rolling Stone" (Not Rated) [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/widespreadpanic/albums/album/191340/review/6068136/aint_life_grand link]
Last album = "Everyday"
(1993)
This album = "Ain't Life Grand"
(1994)
Next album = "Bombs & Butterflies"
(1997)

"Ain't Life Grand" is the fourth studio album by the Athens, GA based band Widespread Panic. The band held a CD release party at Old Smith's Bar in Atlanta on August 28, 1994. It was first released to the public by Capricorn Records and Warner Bros. Records on September 6, 1994. It would later be re-released in 2001 by Zomba Music Group. The band got minor airplay for their cover of Bloodkin's "Can't Get High," as well as their own "Airplane." They also performed the song "Ain't Life Grand" at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA for Good Morning America.

The band begun rehearsing for the album by recording pre-recording sessions at John Keane's home studio like their first album, Space Wrangler. They were so pleased with the results that they decided to use the sessions for Ain't Life Grand instead of going into the studio on a future date with their producer Johnny Sandlin.

The album reached a peak position of #84 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Track listing

#"Little Kin" (Widespread Panic) – 5:04
#"Ain't Life Grand" (Widespread Panic) – 4:48
#"Airplane" (Widespread Panic) – 4:11
#"Can't Get High" (Carter/Hutchens) – 3:49
#"Heroes" (Widespread Panic) – 5:06
#"Raise the Roof" (Widespread Panic) – 4:44
#"Junior" (Kimbrough/Spring) – 4:34
#"L.A." (Widespread Panic) – 4:12
#"Blackout Blues" (Widespread Panic) – 5:17
#"Jack" (Widespread Panic) – 7:06
#"Fishwater" (Widespread Panic) – 8:47

Personnel

Widespread Panic
*John Bell - Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals
*John Hermann - Keyboards, Vocals
*Michael Houser - Guitar, vocals
*Todd Nance - Drums, Vocals
*Domingo S. Ortiz - Percussion
*Dave Schools - Bass

Guest Performers
*David Blackmon - Fiddle
*Eric Carter - Vocals
*Adriene Fishe - Vocals
*John Keane - Guitar, Pedal Steel, Vocals
*Dwight Manning - Oboe

Production

*John Keane - Producer, Engineer, Mixing
*Clif Norrell - Mixing
*Caram Costanzo - Mixing
*Benny Quinn - Mastering
*David Barbe - Assistant Engineer
*Marcia Beverley - Art Direction
*James Mitchell - Artwork
*Jackie Jasper - Photography

References

External links

* [http://widespreadpanic.com/ Widespread Panic website]
* [http://everydaycompanion.com Everyday Companion]
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:1gjyeat24x87 All Music entry]