Ain't Life Grand | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 6, 1994 | |||
Genre | Jam rock, southern rock | |||
Length | 57:38 | |||
Label | Capricorn Records [1] | |||
Producer | John Keane [2] | |||
Widespread Panic chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Ain't Life Grand is the fourth studio album by the Athens, GA-based band Widespread Panic. [5] [6] It was released by Capricorn Records and Warner Bros. Records on September 6, 1994. It was re-released in 2001 by Zomba Music Group. On July 3, 2014, the band announced that Ain't Life Grand would be reissued on vinyl in August 2014. [7]
The band got minor airplay for their cover of Bloodkin's "Can't Get High," as well as their own "Airplane." They performed the song '"Ain't Life Grand'" at Morehouse College for Good Morning America .
The band began 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 peaked at No. 84 on the Billboard 200. [8]
Trouser Press wrote that "although the chorus comes straight from the Bon Jovi cliché book, 'Heroes' musters a milder version of Pearl Jam’s taut emotional ambience." [2]
All songs by Widespread Panic except where otherwise noted.
Widespread Panic
Guest performers
Ball is the eighth studio album released by the Athens, GA based band Widespread Panic. It was released on April 15, 2003 and it was the band's first studio album with George McConnell on lead guitar. McConnell joined the band in 2002 after the death of founding member Michael Houser.
Don't Tell the Band, is the seventh studio album released by the Athens, GA based band Widespread Panic. It was released on June 19, 2001 in two forms, a single disc and a double disc release. It was the second release through the band's own label, Widespread Records, in conjunction with UK-based label Sanctuary Records. The album covered a wide variety of styles, from rock to Latin and grunge to soul, yet did not depart from this jam band's signature sound.
Live in the Classic City is the third live album released by Widespread Panic. The album was recorded over an April 2000 three-night run in their hometown of Athens, Georgia. It was released in June 2002 and features a mix of originals and cover songs, studded with guest performances from other star performers, including Derek Trucks, Bruce Hampton, and former R.E.M. drummer Bill Berry.
Space Wrangler is the first studio album by the Athens, GA based band Widespread Panic. It was first released by a small Atlanta label, Landslide Records, on February 4, 1988. It was later reissued four times, the first two times by Capricorn Records/Warner Bros. Records, and, in 2001, by Zomba Music Group. Space Wrangler was reissued for the fourth time on vinyl for one day — July 15, 2014 — as a special reissue through Think Indie distribution, that was sold only at independent record stores.
Widespread Panic is the self-titled, second studio album by the Athens, Georgia-based band Widespread Panic. It was first released by Capricorn Records and Warner Bros. Records on July 30, 1991. It was re-released in 2001 by Zomba Music Group. The album was issued on vinyl for the first time ever on July 29, 2014. The vinyl-only reissue will be distributed via ThinkIndie distribution and sold only at participating independent record stores.
Everyday is the third studio album by the Athens, GA based band Widespread Panic. It was first released by Capricorn Records and Warner Bros. Records on March 3, 1993. It would later be re-released in 2001 by Zomba Music Group. On July 3, 2014 the band announced that Everyday would be reissued on Vinyl in August, 2014. The reissue will be distributed via ThinkIndie distribution and sold only at participating independent record stores.
Bombs & Butterflies is the fifth studio album by the Athens, Georgia-based band Widespread Panic. The band started recording the album in July 1996 at John Keane's studio in Athens. The band held a CD release party at Morton Theatre in Athens, one day prior to their Fox Theatre New Year's Eve run on December 28, 1996. It was first released by Capricorn Records on February 4, 1997. It would later be re-released in 2001 by Zomba Music Group.
Light Fuse, Get Away is the first live album released by the Athens, GA based band Widespread Panic. It was first released by Capricorn Records on April 12, 1998. It would later be re-released in 2001 by Zomba Music Group. The album was recorded over various concerts by the band in 1997. Pickin' Up The Pieces featured Branford Marsalis on saxophone and was recorded on September 7, 1997 in Boston.
'Til the Medicine Takes is the sixth studio album released by the Athens, GA based band Widespread Panic. The album's name refers to a line in the chorus of the 4th track Blue Indian. It was first released by Capricorn Records on July 27, 1999. It would later be re-released in 2001 by Zomba Music Group. The band once again recorded at John Keane's studio in Athens. Special guests included Dirty Dozen Brass Band, gospel singer Dottie Peoples, and vocalist Anne Richmond Boston. This would be the band's last record as part of the six-album deal with Capricorn Records.
Another Joyous Occasion is the second live album released by the Athens, GA based band Widespread Panic. It was recorded over the Summer and Fall of 1999 when the band performed shows accompanied by The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. It was the first release on the band's own label, Widespread Records, after leaving Capricorn Records. It was released on June 6, 2000.
Night of Joy is the fourth live album released by the Athens, GA based band Widespread Panic. The album was recorded during a show in 2003 at the House of Blues in South Carolina. It was released on March 23, 2004 and features the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.
Über Cobra is the fifth live album released by the Athens, GA based band Widespread Panic. The album was recorded during a show in November 2003 in Myrtle Beach. It was released on July 12, 2004 and was the second of three live releases in 2004 by the band. The album is almost exclusively acoustic, with four guest tracks by John Keane on pedal steel.
Jackassolantern is the sixth live album released by the Athens, GA based band Widespread Panic. The album was recorded during various Halloween shows that the band has performed. It was released on September 28, 2004 and was the third of three live releases in 2004 by the band. The album is composed of cover songs that the band has performed. The album was released both on CD and as a limited-edition vinyl record.
Live at Myrtle Beach is the seventh live album released by the Athens, GA based band Widespread Panic. The album was recorded during a show in Fall 2003 at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, SC. It was released on February 22, 2005.
Nine High a Pallet is the first studio album by brute., a band based in Athens, Georgia, USA, which was a collaboration band between the guitarist Vic Chesnutt and members of Widespread Panic. The album was recorded at John Keane 's studio in Athens, Georgia.
John Keane is an American record producer based in Athens, Georgia, who has worked extensively with R.E.M., Indigo Girls and Widespread Panic. He owns and operates John Keane Studios in Athens, which opened in 1981.
Choice Cuts: The Capricorn Years 1991–1999 is a 14-song compilation by Athens, Georgia's Widespread Panic. Song selections originated from the albums Space Wrangler, Widespread Panic, Everyday, Ain't Life Grand, Bombs & Butterflies, 'Til the Medicine Takes, and the live album Light Fuse, Get Away. Each album was released on Capricorn Records.
Dirty Side Down is the eleventh studio album by the Athens, Georgia-based band Widespread Panic. The album signaled the return of John Keane as Producer and was recorded in the band's hometown of Athens, Georgia, in contrast to the previous two albums produced by Terry Manning at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas. It is the fourth album released after the death of Michael Houser and the first for ATO Records
Live in the Classic City II is the eighth live album released by the Athens, GA based band Widespread Panic. The album was recorded during a three-night run that took place April 1–3, 2000 at The Classic Center in Athens, GA. It was released on September 28, 2010.
Colorado Springs 1998 is a complete concert by Athens, Georgia's Widespread Panic on CD. The performance was recorded live at the City Auditorium Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado on October 20, 1998. The multi-track recordings featured all original band members including late guitarist Michael Houser.