Search - Michael Houser :: Sandbox

One last gift from the most humble of rock stars

TJ | Huntsville, AL United States | 01/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mikey Houser was the founding member and lead guitarist of Widespread Panic. A southern band from Athens Georgia, he and his bandmates blazed a trail all over the world exploring their music and blowing the doors off it live for more than 15 years. Unfortunately for the world he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in late 2001. He went out in a blaze of glory playing while sick until close to the end. He died on August 10th 2002.

Unbeknownst to his fans and most of the people he knew, he had been recording some songs in his garage. Some songs were old that had been heard rarely with his band but alot of them are new and deal with his mortality, his family and his last days on our planet. 10 days before he passed away he handed over his recordings to his longtime friend and producer John Keane to finish for him and release. Sandbox is hard to describe. Much like Warren Zevon's last album, you get a sense of Mikey's feelings and humor. Its hard to imagine anyone being this open in such difficult times but its all here for you. One last gift to his family, friends and fans. I know that Mikey is at the edge of the universe singing Let it Be with all his friends. Thanks for the great times and memories. Your music is the soundtrack to my life."

Beautiful

Lacey Lee | Jackson, MS USA | 03/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Listening to this CD simply brings tears of joy to my eyes. Starting off with "No Matter What" just lets you know that although he had to say goodbye to the ones he loved, the days, his kids, his guitars, and especially, his wife, he is still out there bringing us that "anti-rock star" treatment with his lingering lead.



HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!



We miss and love you Mikey!"

A very special album!

Craig Fisher | USA | 01/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sandbox, the second posthumous release from Mikey Houser, finds the perennially underrated guitarist and songwriter in top form. The first notes of No Matter What absolutely sends chills down your spine: hearing Mikey and JB harmonizing over Mikey's lingering leads is just about perfect, a long time coming too. Goodbye My Love is similarly beautiful and evocative (JB contributes vocals on this track and Can't Change the Past as well). Mikey also rips it up on Solitude (song of the album), the familiar Sandbox (not heard live since 2001), and No Crying Now. And a real treat is hearing Mikey flash some truly impressive mandolin work on songs such as Nacoochee Queen and Bull Run (picking up where Door Harp left off). As an aside, lyrical touches such as "And now I know that I'm crossing a river on slippery stones" (from No Matter What) and "I never thought the day would come when I would say Goodbye My Love" are prophetic and touching, yet do not overpower the album. Quite the opposite, the music feels completely fresh and vibrant. Overall, Sandbox is the real deal; the album Spreadheads have been waiting for, and the one with significant crossover appeal for the more casual fan. Definitely one to grab.



We miss you tremendously Mikey.

"