Customer Reviews

Wintertime Blues: Benefit Concert

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

 

 

The 1999 11th Annual Warren Haynes benefit concert for Habitat for Humanity offers something for everyone. Disc One opens with soul-filled acoustics by Edwin McCain and Warren Hayes. They are followed by a rolling blues jam hosted by Derek Trucks. Derek Trucks leads with "Rastaman Chant" -- a bow to Reggae that keeps you bouncing. Trucks then lays a solid foundation with the jazzy Chicken Strut for a five-song set that closes out the first disc. The set features guest after guest pushing each other to new heights. Jimmy Herring, Col. Bruce Hampton, Susan Tedeschi, and Larry McCray mix and match as song after song delivers first rate blues. Larry McCray sizzles on "Ain't That Loving You" and Col. Bruce Hampton will have you kneeling at the altar of the blues with his "Yield Not to Temptation". Tucks closes Disc One with Tedeschi's "Just Won't Burn" (Oh, but she does and so will you).

Tedeschi opens the second disc with a version of "Angle from Montgomery" that rivals Bonnie's rendition. Cry of Love returns after a five-year absence to rock the concert. On "Piece Pipe" they beat out a powerful song that resurrects the spirit of the 60s. Government Mule then does for Disc Two what Tucks did for Disc One - they host a rolling jam featuring Johnny Neal, Jimmy Herring, Col. Bruce Hampton, Mike Barnes, and Little Milton. Jimmy Neal rips out one great line after another on "Falling Down". Hampton, Neal and Mike Barnes have some fun with Willie Dixon's "Spoonful". The second disc closes with Little Milton reaching new heights on "When the Blues Come Knockin'" followed by Government Mule, Derek Trucks, Little Milton, Johnny Neal and Little Milton in an unforgettable version of "Merry Christmas Baby".

This is a solid two CD set for the serious Blues-Rock fan who appreciates live music and artists who love to jam.

Warren Haynes has been doing a benefit show in Ashville,NC for years, but this year the concert moved to a much larger venue. It was a very cold windy day, and there was still some snow to be found around the Auditorium. The 2 cd's capture all of the best moments of the night. There is a few songs from everyone that was there. The Derek Trucks set was just amazing. And the night just got better and better from then on. The Govt Mule set was the show stopper. I think that everyone was on that stage at one time or another. The highlight of the whole eavning had to be Little Milton singing "Merry Christmas Baby". Wow what a legend. So, if ya like the Mule and there friends that always show up. This is a must have.. ian lee

This cd starts out with some acoustic numbers from Mr. McCain. They hold up to repeated listening because of Mr. Haynes' tasteful and impressive acoustic lead and slide playing. The Derek Trucks Band is as an exciting band that is working today and their set is a joy. But it gets even more thrilling as virtually each extended jam features one great artist after another. The Cry of Love set adds some welcomed, tuneful hard rock and then Gov't Mule takes over. It's set is more like, but maybe even beter than, disc one (as opposed to the stellar disc two) to "With a Little Help from Our Friends" and holds up well to repeated listening. "But" you may wonder, "isn't this just another one of those blues based extended jam albums that I already have in abundance in my collection?" No! Herring, Haynes and Trucks are the "it" boys and they deliver (together no less) on song after song on this cd, plus, and I must say surprisingly, the sound quality here is outstanding. One last thing, Haynes, McKay and the various and asundry good friend/guest vocalists can belt it out -- not an embarrassing note among them.

The first cd is a bit to slow for me. It just doesn't grab my interest. I'm not really a big fan of acoustic guitar. I think Susan Tedeschi, Cry of Love & Govt Mule really make this CD what it is. Oh, and if you're a Derek Trucks fan, (I'm not) then you'll like it better then I do. If not for the great jams from Govt Mule, I'd have givin this CD 3 1/2 stars.

Recorded around the holidays in 1999 and produced by Warren Haynes, there's some fine jams here. Side 1 is highlighted by a lengthy set from Derek Trucks, his band, his future wife Susan Tedeschi and their work is excellent. Side 2 is highlighted by a Gov't Mule set and with Little Milton, Derek, Susan, Johnny Neel, Jimmy Herring and others all adding to the songs. The finale is a lengthy "Merry Christmas Baby" with Little Milton, Haynes, and Tedeschi sharing vocals and Haynes, Trucks, and Herring on guitars. If you are a fan of the Allman Brothers, many of these names will be familiar to you. There's alot of talent on display here.

and what you get is music contained on this 2 CD set. To try and cover everything on this would require a book, so I`ll just say that this entire set has numerous highlights, like all of the great talent that Warren Haynes seems to always assemble. The players on each song rotate so much you need a program, but unlike most All- star jams, this one has each player pushing the other one,creating some incredible improvisational jamming.

There is the Derek Trucks Band, with Derek`s incredible Duane Allmanesque slide on Rastaman Chant, Edwin McCain, Col.Bruce Hampton with Jimmy Herring, two fifths of the Aquarium Rescue Unit, there`s Cry of Love playing together for the first time in five years. You have Larry McCray, brillant blues guitarist, Susan Tedeschi with her warm Bonnie Raitt like voice. Then the Mule`s set with it`s burning version of Bad Little Doggie, and then there`s blues legend Little Milton, doing a smoking When the Blues Come Knocking, and most of the gang performing 15 minutes of Merry Christmas Baby.

This is a great CD of an incredible night. There were other great players there also, I`ll end it by saying if you like the Mule and great jamming, along with some musical surprises, this is it. Rest in Peace Allen Woody.

well, if you enjoyed gov't mule or haynes' solo recordings, you can put this double cd just beside them. so really there are lots of good musicians playing here, but when you here warren' s guitar, you can watch the sky becoming clear. a special mention should go to derek trucks, who is playing really good, but i prefer to listen to him playing with allman bros. band. a cd to mention to your friends loving rockblues.