Door Harp Side D: An etching of Michael Houser and his cat Socks.
Widespread Panic have announced its plans to honor one of its late band members, Michael Houser, by issuing his debut solo album, Door Harp, on vinyl. The first-time format offering presents the musician’s beloved roster of 14 dream-like acoustic instrumentals recorded with help from John Keane and other friends and initially released prior to Houser’s 2002 passing. The double LP is available in very limited pressing and will arrive on August 9, 2024.
Put to tape at Keane’s Athens, Ga. studio in March 2002; Door Harp dispenses Houser’s instrumental approach with his own guitar, mandolin, and piano additions permeating the 49-minute set. Adding to the overall ambiance of cradle tunes are fellow contributors Keane (guitar, keyboards and pedal steel), Widespread Panic bandmate and percussionist Domingo S. Ortiz, as well as local talents David Henry and Andy Carlson (violin and cello).
Door Harp consists of all original tracks, with “Cleburne Terrace” representing the lone crossover between Houser’s solo deliverables and Widespread Panic’s early ‘90s live output. To accompany the vinyl announcement, the late musician’s wife, Barbette Houser, recalled, “These are the songs… he wrote as he sat on the sofa… hands wandering the strings, his mind never quiet.”
Scroll down for more details. Visit widespreadpanic.com for more information.
Door Harp Tracking List:
Side A
Missoula
Eva’s Song
Barbette’s Song
Spanish Gold
Old #1
Side B
The Westerly Wind
Cleburne Terrace
Door Harp
Fall Line
Side C
The Owl’s Song
The Music Box
Lullaby for NYC
A Change In The Weather
Quietude
Side D
Side D features an etching of Michael Houser and his cat Socks.