Customer Reviews

Live at Bonnaroo

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm tired of people who expect great musicians to remain static and turn out the same sound again and again. In addition to masterful guitar skills, Haynes voice has rarely sounded more soulful or his line-up more meditative.

His work with Gov't Mule is peerless, but this fabulous album shows he's capable of different songs and unexplored styles. It's more mellow than I expected, but the songs and performances are solid as a rock.

I have several personal favorites -- "To Lay me Down" is superb" and "Stella Blue" is far better than most of Garcia's versions. The phonics are clear and the audience noise is kept to a minimum.

Haynes transcends the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. But this album shows that he's also transcended himself. It's 75 minutes of pure emotion, complex and beautiful songs, and a sense of commitment to music that shines.

The best live album of the year by any artist. Buy a copy. You won't regret it.

Warren Haynes is undoubtedly one of the best band leaders there is today. He's a frontman in Gov't Mule, the Allman Brothers, and the new Dead. And he's played with virtually everyone who is anyone in today's "jam band" scene (sorry to use those words, but they seem to be the most completely encompasing ones). Here is a chance to hear Warren, completely alone, doing his own thing. I think this is remarkable. I'll agree that he's not as technically proficient on an acoustic guitar as on an electric guitar... I don't think there is any arguing that. Here, though, what really shines is his voice and the soul he puts into it from way, way deep down. Here's a man who's not holding much of anything back when he sings, and i think that's equally as beautiful and masterful as his playing of the electric guitar.

That said, lets talk about the songs on the album. The choice of covers is very interesting in that they all come from very different backgrounds. "Waisted Time" is an Eagles song, "Stella Blue" a Grateful Dead song, "One" a U2 song, and "Lucky" a Radiohead song. But Warren has taken them and made them his songs, adding his own stylistics to each. "Patchwork Quilt", written by the great lyricist Robert Hunter, is flawless. "I'll Be The One" is also very beautifully crafted. Perhaps the best part of this whole album though is "Soulshine". Warren brings an African singer out with him who has the most amazing and unique voice I've ever heard. And he sings Soulshine along with Warren, even though he doesn't know how to sing it quite right. So there are little mess ups in there and Warren is helping him out a little bit. But the both of them giving it all of their heart makes it the single most moving rendition of a song I've heard a billion times. And then, when it all clicks together, it's nothing but sheer beauty.

Like one review said, there is room for improvement. But this is live and raw and charged with pure emotion in Warren's voice. This is the blues... that down home feeling of comfort and release. This is what music is all about.

Here is Warren at it again- a vocal virtuoso performance. It doesn't get 4 stars only because it has too many songs most of us fans already have heard many times on other show tapes, etc. More of the obscure Warren penned songs like "Forevermore" (which is on this CD) and "Love's Open Door" (not found on this CD) would only make this record that much better.

But his covers are great too. "Stella Blue" and "I've Got Dreams" (both first time on a commercial release) make for incredible listening. The other tunes, mostly songs already released by Warren or Gov't Mule, have here been stripped down, and while always a pleasure, are not anything terribly new. As usual, Warren put out a quality sounding product. Although not directly involved in the recording or producing of the CD, it sounds great and is a credit to Warren's high standards.

He goes from straight up acoustic, with touches of folk and blues, to solo electric to cover 16 songs. This is not the best CD to begin exploring Warren's music and playing over the past several years. You need to start with some mid 1990's Allman Brothers and his Gov't Mule records to do that properly. But, Warren grew up singing and not playing guitar. So even though he was voted number 25 in a recent Rolling Stones guitar players list, on this disc, he gets back to what he loves and does best- singing in that soulful Appalachian voice.

I have only really started to appreciate Warren Haynes in the last year and this album is the topper! As well as "THE LONE EP", I have rarely seen a performer connect with an audience like Warren. While I agree what first attracted me to his music was his electric slide guitar, it is now his emotional depth in his vocals wrapped around that fret magic which impels any listener to be simply blown away! He is a true musician in every sense of the word showing off talents in a wide variety of other artist's songs and in his own. I admit I am a big LIVE album lover warts and all because I just love to hear an artist connect with an audience. After all, isn't that why they do it to begin with? Buy this album!Connect for yourself.

Warren's " Live at Bonnaroo " is just beautiful. Warren sings and plays his heart out to the enjoyment of those fortunate enough to pickup on this solo cd. I've heard and seen Warren play within a band format, but never heard just him at his best one on one. Everyone of the 16 tracks are keepers, each sweeping you along a musical journey that you'll want to listen to again and again. I never knew Warren had such talent as a solo artist. Don't miss this one.

Warren Haynes is a fantastic guitar player and a soulful singer, and I enjoy this CD which shows his many sides (and bands!). His playing has always been top-notch, but I think he has really grown as a singer over the last few years and this CD reflects that very well. If you like Gov.'t Mule or Warren in any of the other bands he has played w/ over the last few years (ABB, The Dead, Phil & Friends, etc.) you will really enjoy this release. If you have not heard Warren before, check it out, you may be very surprised.

One last thing, and not to take away from Warren at all. The reviewer who previously said Warren did "'Stella Blue'... far better than most of Garcia's versions" has no idea what he is talking about. That is an incredibly short-sighted comment.

If you like any one of these songs, you'll probably like them all. Although it is very different in many ways, listening to this album reminds me of listening to Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds play an acoustic set. (For obvious reasons.) A talented musician playing great tunes that warm the soul. Fans of Radiohead and U2 will love his covers of "Lucky" and "One".

Not being a big fan of acoustic guitar songs. Warren has made a believer out of me. This cd has become the one I listen to if i want to relax and mellow out. I would have loved to have seen this show live.

This guy has so much material, its amazing. That day I was in the very front left row of Bonnaroo with my sis and girlfriend, we were so relaxed (gobbed) listening to Warren play that set, truthfully Bonnaroo needed him at that moment. That was the most silence the place had all weekend. But we were listenin. How many frickin people has he brought in to play w/ ? Gordon, Landreth, Schools, Claypool etc. How many tributes does he play to the old ones? Who could do 30/20 blues better besides RJ? Seriously, Warren played that acoustic set all we could do was chill out and listen to it. Does this dude get tired? I cant tell you how many sets he filled in at Bonnaroo, theyre running together 2003?, but the Meters, DJ Logic, Widespread, the Dead, Warren youve helped preserve rock n roll for our generation. Get the "lone ep" too. This album shows Warrens versatility, no slide no drums. Just him & his guitar, like that bad ass album cover that says it all.

This album was a delicious surprise to me. I have seen Gov't Mule live and thought they were great. But I do not own anything by them. While many of my friends are into the "Jam" band scene (for lack of a better word), it has never been my preference. So, when my buddy from Denver recently recommended this CD, I was reluctant. I am SO glad I listened to him! The album is beautiful. It is simply Warren, an acoustic guitar and 70,000+ fans (and an exquisite guest vocal from an African singer)and it is music at its' purest state. His vocals are what grab me. They are so real & honest sounding. They somehow sound rough and crystal clear at the same time. He shows amazing range emotionally, lyrically and musically. He also chooses excellent covers ranging from The Eagles, to the Dead to U2 to Radiohead. If you want a great disc to simply roll down the windows and sing along to every wonderful song...this is for you.