In essence I love something about every genre of music *DISCLAIMER* Except Dubstep! Skrillex you can stop breathing any day now.... *END DISCLAIMER* but I do have favorite genres. My daily playlists consist of Old and new school Blues Rock, Prog/Psyc rock, Doom Metal, Jam, Alt Country and folk. On some of our trips down the 13th Floor I will be discussing artists from the genre's I've listed above.
For my first music related post I'm going to give a shout out to my absolute favorite band Gov't Mule! If you're a fan of badass old school blues rock i.e Mountain, Hot Tuna, Led Zeppelin then my friend you will dig the hell out of the Mule! Beginning in the mid 90s Gov't Mule started off as a blues rock power trio. Formed by then Allman Brothers guitarist Warren Haynes ,Allman bassist Allen Woody and Dickey Betts Band drummer Matt Abts.
As a trio the band released three studio albums (Self-titled, Dose and Life Before Insanity) and two live albums (Live at the Roseland Ballroom and Live with a little Help from our friends). The Mule in their trio years were nothing but straight up southern fried Blues rock with a dark Sabbath-esque under tone. During live performances the band would add jazz fusion laced improvisation to their sound . I consider the trio's second release "Dose" to be the best of their early recordings. Adopting a much darker tone, the band crafted blistering tunes such as Blind Man in the Dark, Game Face and Thorazine Shuffle. On the following studio release "Life Before Insanity" the Mule's sound became brighter adding elements of funk and alt rock. The album features several examples of Haynes' songwriting prowess i.e Fallen Down, Tastes like Wine and No Need to Suffer *DISCLAIMER* No Need to Suffer contains a mind imploding guitar solo. Can't say I didn't warn you. *END DISCLAIMER*.Tragically Allen Woody died of a drug overdose in February 2007. Woody was a true God of the bass laying down apocalyptic thunder on your minds! His death led to the Deep End project which had Gov't Mule assembling prolific bassists such as George Porter Jr., Billy Cox, John Entwistle,Flea, Jack Cassady and many more to record a tribute album to their fallen Brother. After a brief hiatus Warren Haynes and Matt Abts hired Andy Hess as bassist and Danny Louis on Keyboards.
As a newly formed quartet the Mule released three studio albums (Deja Voodoo, High and Mighty and Mighty High) In these three albums the Mule added Reggae, Jazz and prog rock to their Blues laced Sound. "Deja Voodoo" has become my number uno favorite album of all time. I have a soft spot for it since it was the first Mule album I bought. Warren Haynes and Matt Abts considered ending the Mule after the death of Allen Woody. Fortunately this did not happen and a whole in time and space never appeared saving us from total apocalypse......... but I digress. "Deja Voodoo" takes the dark and thunderous sound from "Dose" and the brighter funkier tone from "Life Before Insanity" and creates for one hell of a listening experience. Highlights from this album are Slackjaw Jezebel, Lola Leaver your Light On, New World Blues and Silent Scream. After "Deja Voodoo" came "High and Mighty" which is a much heavier album then "Voodoo" (mostly due to the hiring on of Gordie Johnson as producer) Highlights Include Brand new Angel, Child of the Earth and Unring the Bell.. After the release of their experimental reggae dub release "Mighty High"Andy Hess left the band leading to hiring of Swedish Bassist Jorgen Carlsson.
I really hope the Mule keep Jorgen on as their permanent bassist. The man is unreal and has helped evolve the Mule's sound supremely. With Jorgen the band has released two albums "By A Thread" and their most recent album "Shout!". Both albums are great. "By a Thread" is pure hendrix-esque blues bliss. Featuring the rip roaring opening tune "Broke Down on the Brazos" which features scorching blues licks from Warren and ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons, thunderous and I mean THUNDEROUS rhythm from Jorgen and Matt Abts and the eerie key work of the master Danny Louis. Other great tunes off this record are Stepping Lightly, Monday Mourning Meltdown, Inside Outside Woman Blues and scenes from a troubled Mind.
In 2013 The Mule released their most daring album yet "Shout!". To me its a daring release because it features a much evolved Mule. They still have their blues rock sound but it is no longer "old school" its "new school". Highlights are: World Boss, Forsaken Savior, Captured and Bring on the Music. Songs such as "Forsaken Savior" and "Captured" have the Mule dabbling in alt country and the end result is amazing! "Shout!" comes with a bonus disc which features the songs of "Shout" but sung by other singers such as Dave Matthews,Dr. John, Grace Potter, Jim James, Ty Turner, Myles Kennedy and Elvis Costello. They all do the songs well but non can match the vocal power of the one Warren Haynes!
Can't recommend the Mule enough. I highly recommend youtubing their live performances. They are great on album but they are absolutely MIND BLOWING live! In one Mule show you will get three hours of Blistering blues rock and almost telepathic improvisation. Warren is a true jedi of the guitar. On stage Haynes unleashes bluesy controlled Chaos. Matt Abts unleashes John Bonham esque fury on the drums. As mentioned before Jorgen Carlsson brings the earth shaking thunder and Danny Louis hypnotizes you with his jazz laced psychedelic keys.
They are an extremely hard working bands who pretty much never stop touring. each member of the band has their respected side projects outside the Mule as well. Check these dudes out and join the Mule heads!
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