“I never looked back, James, until Mikey passed.” –Todd Nance Interview (2008)
In March 2002, Widespread Panic’s original guitarist Michael Houser received a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. He passed away on August 10 of the same year. Houser’s instrumental album Door Harp was released posthumously on September 24, 2002.
Upon hearing the grim news, Houser began recording these instrumental songs at John Keane’s Athens, Georgia, studio. He invited friends to participate in the melancholy, yet celebratory musical process. Door Harp and later Sandbox (2006) became the recordings from these timeless sessions. Door Harp sounds brilliant even in the resonating sadness concerning Houser’s health. On Door Harp Houser played guitar, mandolin and piano while John Keane handled pedal steel and guitar duties. Panic percussionist Sunny Ortiz covered the percussion while David Henry played violin and Andy Carlson cello.
Door Harp ranks as a soulful collection. The 14 songs clock in at 49 minutes. “Missoula” begins the instrumental Door Harp with guitar, mandolin and John Keane’s ethereal pedal steel. A beautiful piano ballad for his daughter–“Eva’s Song”– emits a soothing sonic quality. “Barbette’s Song”–dedicated to his wife–displays Houser’s ability to evoke emotion through his guitar.
“Spanish Gold” conjures visions of cobblestone streets, lost treasures and old adobe missions. “Old #1″, another acoustic guitar, mandolin and pedal steel-filled composition, induces a hypnotic trance. “The Westerly Wind” captures another stellar piano-laced tune. “Cleburne Terrace” calls to mind Nick Drake’s Pink Moon. The title track streamlines a tranquil mood through the collection.
The guitar tone on “Fall Line” sounds especially fine on a rainy day. “The Owl’s Song” projects an echoing wooden acoustic sound as a mournful fiddle weaves in and out of the tune with percussion, and finally Houser’s quiet transcendent tone on electric guitar emerges. “The Music Song” resembles something from Bob Dylan’ Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid soundtrack.
“A Change In the Weather” could serve as a score for a film soundtrack. “Quietude” ends Door Harp in peace and tranquility. Door Harp will forever stand as testimony to Houser’s vast talent, and the heart-rending fact he died too early at the age of 40.
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Panic In the Streets & Billy Bob Thornton’s Live at the Georgia Theatre
Widespread Panic’s Induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame
Widespread Panic Live in Valdosta, GA 1989
Widespread Panic Live in Huntsville, AL 1996
Widespread Panic Live in Carbondale, IL 2000
Widespread Panic Dirty Side Down
Read the definitive interview (Daniel Hutchens once said it was the best interview he ever read) with Todd Nance, another dearly departed member of Widespread Panic, in Insured Beyond The Grave Vol. 2.
Thanks James