Customer Reviews

Deja Voodoo

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The death of Allen Woody could have been the end of Gov't Mule. It took some soul searching for Warren Haynes before he decided "the Mule" would continue. After two studio albums and a live album with a revolving cast of bass players, the transformation is complete. The addition of Danny Louis on keys and a permanent bass player Andy Hess has signaled the beginning of a new era. At first listen, it may seem that the volume has been turned down from "11". That may be so but in return, you get a clarity and texture that maybe wasn't there before. Warren still fires off some of the most awesome yet effortless looking guitar solos that I've ever heard. Matt Abts still provides the thunder behind the skins. What I think is different is the fact that "the Mule" has taken it to the next level. This is their most fully realized album to date and it's a humdinger. One that places them squarely in the midst of some of the best rock and roll bands out there today. A place they were destined to be.

Like a lot of the other reviewers, I have seen the Mule many times (11 to be exact) with and without Allen Woody. Also like most Mule fanatics, I was unsure about the choice of Andy Hess to fill Woodys shoes, as well as the addition of Danny Louis as a full time keyboardist. I mean, we're talking the Mule here, an improvisational power trio in the grand tradition of Cream and Hendrix. But with this new CD, I am convinced that the Mule shall long remain the crown jewel of American rock bands.

I can't agree with the reviewers that have found this disc to be "emotionless" or "slow". I personally find it to be classic Mule, full of emotion ranging from wild disappointment to simmering rage. And in "Mr. Man", Warren even takes an angry politcal stand in this election year. No, I think that there is plenty of emotion on display. And slow? Well, I guess you have to define slow. If the complaint is in regards to Warrens tendency to pen sweet and sour love songs, like "Wine & Blood" or "Perfect Shelter", than we just need to agree to disagree. Warren and the Mule have long written songs like "Towering Fool" and "World of Difference" and they define the Mule sound everybit as much as "Blind Man In The Dark" or "Bad Little Doggie". The Mules ability to straddle the considerable gap between emotive singer/songwriter and blazing rock'n'roll band is what makes the Mule the Mule. I tend to consider this album to be way heavier than The Deep End sessions or even Life Before Insanity. Are the tempos slower? Maybe, but I find the slower tempos make the songs much more powerful and affecting as a result.

Warren wears some new/old influences on his sleeve during this disc, from the Pink Floyd/Beatles feel of "Silent Scream" to the Led Zeppelin crunch of "Lola Leave Your Light On". The only song that I find off the mark would be the press favorite "Slackjaw Jezebel". I personally find it too derivitive of Pretty Things "Dream/Joey" from the Silk Torpedoes LP. But thats a minor criticism. It probably represents a new "Driving Rain" type stab at getting some airplay. Warrens playing remains crisp and inventive while somehow managing to seem effortless and logical. Matt Abts is without doubt the worlds greatest drummer and has all the awards to prove it. Andy is a perfectly capable (though admittedly less dynamic) replacement for Woody and Danny Louis adds the atmospherics that allow Warren to explore his Beatle/Floyd/Zeppelin tendencies.

The fact that Warren has recording & writing deals with 5 bands (Mule, Allmans, Dead, Phil Lesh & Friends as well as his solo stuff) makes him a living legend. The fact that he has proven himself perfectly capable of handling such a workload with a stunningly high level of success ranks him with the icons.

In the end, I consider Deja Voodoo to be thier finest effort yet. Diverse yet complete and satisfying like each Mule album has always been. A must have for anyone interested in modern American music.

Deja Voodoo is where the new version of Gov't Mule is heading, and that's OK with me. With Allen Woody, they were a power trio, loud and heavy. Woody's death brought about the Deep End series and Matt and Warren tried their hands at some diversity, adding funk, eclectic jazz and different moods to the mix. I think those recordings were the happy result of experiments in finding where Mule could go in Woody's absence. Those experiments are honed and focused into the "New Mule" with Andy Hess and Danny Louis.
To me it's a perfect tribute to Allen Woody that it takes two musicians to fill in the sound where he left off, and by not trying to replace him with an agressive player or "Woody Clone" it keeps his legacy undisturbed and worthy of tribute.
Deja Voodoo is a fine album, focused and complete. The lack of "guest spots" is in its way refreshing, because the band is doing what it does, naked and raw as it would in concert. There are "slow" spots like Blood and Wine, but Warren has always written those moodier pieces. What strikes me are the funkier grooves and the dense textures of the new material. Warren's singing is as soulful as ever, most of the songs are fine songs in their own rite and could be pulled off by other artists in new and original arrangements.
There are some long moments that could have been saved for the concert stage, but they don't drag, and let's face it, the biggest reason we listen to these guys is to hear them play as well as they do. No complaints from me on jams.
A good album, worthy of your money. For the full experience, though, see Mule live. Pretty much the best damn band touring today, and you won't break the bank to buy tickets, either!

Warren Haynes and Matt Abts return with new players Danny Lewis and Andy Hess on keyboard and bass respectively for a rebirth of one of the most intense bands working. While I prefered the stylistic breadth of the Deep End projects, this is in my opinion the best Mule CD as a self contained unit. While the instinctive communication between Haynes and the late Alan Woody is missing, overall the band burns with a purpose.

Standouts include Bad Man Walking, Slackjaw Jezebel, Wine and Blood, Lola Leave Your Light On, Little Toy Brain, and New World Blues

Deja Voodoo is a brilliant cd with a great mix of everything you would expect from a Gov't Mule effort plus some nice surprises as well. Warren showcases his multi-faceted songwriting and provides the listener with some of his most haunting lyrics and songs to date. Haynes has somehow actually sharpened his guitar playing and leaves his signature guitar sound all over Deja Voodoo. Band chemistry is definitely not a problem on Deja Voodoo as the band crackles with intensity and a tight groove formed from a few years on the road. What impressed me most about this cd is the excellent production and song cycle chosen by Haynes and Michael Barbiero. The Mule really play to your emotions on this effort and after playing the cd through you are thinking: wow that blew me away, I need to play this again...Warren Haynes continues to amaze.

This one's alot different than any other studio album from the Mule. Their first studio album since Woody past & it's one fine set of new tunes. As for the new additions, Andy Hess is solid & has a great feel & Danny Louis adds some killer keys-Matt Abts is THE MAN on the drums & Warren is just THE MAN...makes for a new sound for the Mule that will keep all the diehards & bring many more into the fold. Prime cuts to my ears are "Slackjaw Jezebel", "About To Rage", & "New World Blues", Phil & Friends fans will realize "Perfect Shelter" would fit perfect on the P&F's CD or live, great tune..."Lola Leave Your Light On" & "Bad Man Walking" JAM...do not fast forward through the slower tunes ! terrific lyrics & playing throughout them all-not as heavy & in-your-face as the Woody albums but one excellent album, highly recommended to any music lover & if ya haven't seen them live, get yer tickets ASAP ! promise you'll go back for more-enjoy the album yawl

When most groups lose a member, they stumble and fall by the wayside. Not so with Gov't Mule. It's been four years since Allen Woody's untimely death, and after three volumes of "The Deep End", featuring remaining members Warren Haynes and Matt Abts with a stellar cast of seemingly thousands, the Mule return as a four-piece, with Danny Louis on keyboards and Andy Hess on bass joining up. And it's not the same group as it was, but it does not matter.

It's a rebirth, and while I wonder what these songs may sound like with Woody, they sound really good with Hess and Louis on board. Favorites include "Mr. Man", "Slackjaw Jezebel", "Perfect Shelter" and "About To Rage". Do purchase this disc, you will not regret it.

Gov't Mule - Déjà Voodoo (2004) 12 Tracks ***** (75:54)

While listening to all my Gov't Mule cd's recently to write reviews on them, I have really grown to like this one. Some people have complained that there are too many "slow" songs on this disc, but I really like them. It could just be a matter of my personal mood at the time of listening to this particular disc, since I admittedly have been in a kind of dark place in my personal life.

Déjà Voodoo is the sixth studio album by Gov't Mule, and the first with new permanent members Danny Louis (keyboards) and Andy Hess (bass). It is a real mix of up-tempo rockers and really slow bluesy numbers. In fact, it seems that every other track is a "slower number". I guess some people might think that breaks up the "flow" of the album too much (I don't). I also immediately liked the addition of keyboards by Danny Louis. I think they really add to the "classic" sound of any band trying to emulate 70's style rock.

I as alluded to before, this whole album really speaks to me. It's just one of those rare times when a person simply "connects" with the music and lyrics of an artist. As I listened to each song and rated it on my personal 5 star rating system, I realized that there were No Weak tracks on this album IMHO. Every song got 4 stars except just one (No Celebration). This album doesn't contain any acoustic songs like their previous offerings did, but the song Wine and Blood has some of the most beautiful slide guitar work on it I have ever heard. One word of caution, You better be a "blues fan" or you are not likely to connect with much of this disc. One other reviewer called the slower tracks on this album "Ballads". Sorry to disagree, but the Mule don't play no ballads. Yes there are more slower songs on this than any of their other albums, but they are Not Ballads. Just cool, slow blues.

Three songs got the full 5 star rating: Lola Leave Your Light On, Silent Scream (which clocks in at almost 11 minutes), and New World Blues. For comparison, on their first three albums I only found one track to really deserve the full "excellent" rating. Plenty got 4½, but this just shows how good I think this Gov't Mule album is. The included cd booklet is 14 pages with photos, liner notes, and complete lyrics. Highly Recommended.

Man, the more I listen to it, the more I like it! These guys can definitely rock, and their ballads are not just filler (check out "Wine and Blood" and it's sweet, cryin' guitar hooks and clever opening line..."Desiree's in disarray...") They tell stories.

This is blues-based rock with intelligent and original lyrics and unexpected and sophisticated chord changes ("Little Toy Brain.".)

Even...dare I say..a "Zepelin-esque" riff or two. Modern, yet with a big nod to late 60's/early 70's stuff; if a woman were to sing in this band, you could easily picture Janis Joplin or Dale Kranz (of Rossington Collins...damn, she rocked!) belting these out. Guitarist Warren Haynes, I believe, is the singer. And let me just say, he's no slouch in the vocal department. In fact, he's spot-on.

I've seen this tagged as "party rock" and "swamp rock." Huh? Nope. Just damn good music. You'll probably find yourself listening to this alot.

On the cover of Gov't Mule's new album there is the "Infinity" symbol. Illustrating, I'm sure, how the band will continue to live on, albeit differently, since the death in 2000 of bassist Allen Woody.
Although the band released the extraordinary "The Deep End Vol. 1 & Vol. 2" in 2001 & 2002; this is the first album since "Life Before Insanity" that Warren Haynes believes was recorded as a BAND.
Therefore I don't believe comparisons should be made to "The Deep End." (First off, no comparisons could be made, "The Deep End" is a masterpiece of monumental proportions. One of the true gems of modern music in the last twenty years.)
Comparisons, fairly or unfairly, can be made to "Gov't Mule", "Dose", & "Life Before Insanity". Is this album as good as they were? Honestly, I don't know.
Here's why: "Gov't Mule", and especially "Dose" grabbed you by the balls (or equivalent) and didn't let go. Allen Woody's bass lines weren't refined to the background. They jumped up, smacked you in the face, growled at you, and left you abused, tired, but wanting more. Woody and Warren Haynes were like musical soul-mates. With the addition of Matt Apts, they were unstoppable. Now Woody's gone, sailing to the land on the edge of the clearing. Is he missed? Absolutely. No one can argue that. I don't know why anyone would even try.
When I first listened to "Deja Voodoo", I must admit, I hated it. I thought it was too "Warren". Too many words, not enough guitar, and music. (Listen to Warren's "Tales Of Ordinary Madness", and you'll understand what I mean.) I missed the instrumentals, like "Birth of The Mule" or "Trane". I missed the dual back and forth playing that illuminated "Gov't Mule" and "Dose." I liked the two new members: Danny Louis on keys, and Andy Hess on bass, but I missed the "sound" of the Mule.
After about three listens I liked it, and I'm liking it better every time I listen to it. This isn't the Mule of old. This is almost like a debut album by a new band. (Perhaps Warren Haynes' sixth band.) This is why I can't say whether it's better or worse than previous efforts. This is definitley 'different' than previous efforts. I don't believe this would be an album recorded with Woody still around. It's much mellower, not as thunderous as previous works. This is Warren through and through. And like I said, it's still growing. This will not be my favorite album of theirs. But I suspect with an additional listen it will move up the ranks. Maybe a listen after that will at least make it as good. Woody's missed, but the new Mule is starting to shine. Infinity indeed.