Customer Reviews

Gov't Mule

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Warren (guitar & vocals) and Woody (bass) used to be in a modern incarnation of the Allman Brothers Band, and you can certainly hear some of the A.B.B. style here. Long jams, that gritty southern rock feel.

But Gov't Mule take that sound and add some more dimensions to it. They make it heavier, louder, more kicking (with a big boost there from Matt Abbts on the drums). They also stretch out the jazzy improvisation side of the music with some great instrumental numbers.

People rave about Warren's guitar playing, and rightly so - he's hot soloing, fills out a big sound on rhythm parts, and uses dynamics well. What they often fail to mention is his big blues voice. It's no accident that they lead off with an a cappella number.

I think my favorite on this album is Left Coast Groovies, with some unusual rhythms in the riffs and some great lyrics about California new-age wife swapping air-headed spiritual-movement-of-the-week types.

If you like jammin music like the Allman Bros, but have been craving something heavier and more focussed, this is it.

These guys have it all. Any fan of southern rock should check these guys out. Heck, any fan of rock should give these guys a listen. Amazing song writing fills this entire cd. Monkey Hill, Painted Silver Light, and Mr. Big are my favorites. Mother Earth also rocks, and the jazzy madness of Trane is quite impressive. Buy this cd. Now.

The first time I heard of GOV'T MULE was in an interview with James Hetfield from METALLICA where he listed this particular disc in his all time top five favorites. I then spotted the CD at a college radio station I dj for. So I previewed it, bought it, and bought everything else associated with THE MULE and WARREN HAYNES. This disc really rocks. "Rocking Horse" "Monkey Hill",and "Mule" showcase the musical talent of the whole group.While "Mother Earth","Temporary Saint","Left Coast Groovies",and "World of Difference"Show off their writing talents.Oh Yeah this CD also is home to one of the best songs ever written,"Painted Silver Light!" Give it a listen, and in know time you'll be saying "WHERE'S MY MULE? "

This is easily my favorite disc to be released in the mid 90's, It ROCKS, but it also displays a musical integrity that few bands ever achieve, I really dig the mixture of Rock, Metal, Blues, and Jazz sounds they mix so brilliantly. There is not a bad song on this whole disc, I can listen to this from start to finish and never get bored with it. You have Warren Haynes great guitar playing and gutsy vocals, Allen Woody's tight bass sound and Matt Abts powerhouse drums all mixed together making a big monster sound, a definite MASTERPIECE. If anyone who reads this review likes hard rockin' blues music this is a MUST have for your collection.

Outstanding debut album. Warren, Woody, and Matt push the limits with this album. Every song is incredibly good, especially "Mother Earth" is waiting for you, it's a debt you have to pay! This album is hard edged and takes no prisoners. The synergy of this band is like few others. They blend together with a strong driving bass line and tremolo guitar that sends shiver's down your spine. If you like hard-edged, somewhat Southern style Rock and Roll you will love this album!

Although not as steeped in the blues as the older Allman Brothers recordings, if you're a fan of the Allmans, you should get a kick from this Mule. No pretenders to the Southern Rock legacy, these guys have paid their dues, musically speaking, anyway -- and can rip out licks and belt out the rockin' blues with effortless energy. Check it out.

Gov't Mule - Gov't Mule (1995) 12 Tracks **** (69:55)

Warren Haynes (guitar) and Allen Woody (bass) were both members of the reincarnated Allman Brothers Band that toured in the early 90's. Haynes and Woody got together with Matt Abts (drums) and created Gov't Mule as a side project when not touring with the Allman Bros. Band. They released their debut album Gov't Mule in 1995. Out of a dozen studio and Live albums put out by the Mule, this debut remains the most popular by Amazon reviewers. I don't think it's some kind of masterpiece, but there certainly are no weak songs on here. My favorite is the slow, bluesy second track Mother Earth. It's also a good long song (which I like) at over 8 minutes.

There is a good bit of variety on here and some notable guest appearances by the likes of John Popper and Hook Herrera. John Popper (Blues Traveler) provides his unmistakable harmonica playing to Mule, and Hook Herrera plays harmonica on Left Coast Groovies. You've got a couple of instrumentals and an acoustic song too. In fact, this album starts off with an "acappella" track called "Grinnin' in Your Face" which eventually segues into Mother Earth. On Monkey Hill, Warren tries out some "vocal effects" that I don't particularly like, but his guitar playing far and away makes up for that little short-coming.

On track six, Trane, which is an instrumental, you can really hear pieces of that Allman Bros/Duane Allman sound coming thru with a distinct and beautiful tone and fingering style. The last track is also another slower, bluesy, almost atmospheric song.

Obviously Warren Haynes and Co. were on a slightly tight budget on this debut, as the cd booklet is a simple opening bi-fold with some photos and liner notes, but no lyrics.

Over-all this is very good debut album. Although there are not a lot of really outstanding tracks, just about every one earned 4 to 4 ½ stars on my personal rating system. Recommended.

On this, their self-titled debut, Gov't Mule prove without a doubt that they're far from a simple "side-project." With more emotion, more blues, and more soul in one guitar lick or one vocal line than the sum of most popular music from the last ten years, Gov't Mule demands to be heard by anyone and everyone who demands more from music and musicians. Cheap, ripped off and repeating riffs don't exist here. Snotty, "I'm too cool to care" vocals cannot be found. What can be found, however, is a band that simply sweats and bleeds emotion into its music.

From the first soulful moments of the a capella "Grinnin' in Your Face," which bleeds right into the gut-wrenching guitar playing of Warren Haynes on "Mother Earth," it's very evident that this is not the same old thing. This album (and all of Mule's work, really) is filled to the brim with great instrumental work, amazingly soulful and powerful vocals, and incredibly potent songwriting. I simply cannot say anything bad about this album.

Gov't Mule's self-titled debut Jams from beginning to end, and is an essential addition to any CD collection. The Allman Brothers meets Led Zepplin. Truly a must have.

This is the Mule at its core--pure, hard, and beautiful. A 1995 release, the self-titled "Government Mule" opens with Warren's homage to Son House (Grinnin' in Your Face) then moves into the deeply felt "Mother Earth," before kicking some serious... with the Mule original "Rocking Horse." Gregg Allman shares a writing credit on this song and I recently saw the Brothers perform this song two nights in a row at the Fillmore in Denver. They can play it every night as far as I'm concerned. It's that good! As is this master piece from a true power trio, maybe the best since Cream or Hendrix. Yes, Mule is that good. I kid you not.