https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/govt-mule-announces-first-ever-blues-album-heavy-load-blues/
Renowned quartet GOV'T MULE — led by Grammy Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, guitar legend, and producer Warren Haynes — has announced its first-ever blues album, "Heavy Load Blues", and released the first original track off the forthcoming collection, "Heavy Load". The ominous acoustic blues number is highlighted by Haynes's mournful vocal and supple yet deliberate riffing. "Heavy Load Blues", due out November 12 via Fantasy Records, encompasses an even mix of Haynes's originals and revered covers originally made famous by the likes of Howlin' Wolf, Elmore James, Junior Wells, Ann Peebles, Bobby "Blue" Bland, and even Tom Waits and THE ANIMALS. To coincide with the album's announcement, GOV'T MULE has released a behind-the-scenes video of the making of "Heavy Load Blues".
"Heavy Load Blues" is available for pre-order now at all DSPs. Each digital pre-save will include an instant download of the song "Heavy Load". Physical CDs and vinyl are also available for pre-order now from the band's webstore, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and local record stores. A deluxe edition featuring additional studio and live tracks, including another Haynes original and covers originally by Savoy Brown, Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters, Otis Rush and more, will also be available.
"For me, personally, it's kind of been on my list of things to do for years," shares Haynes. "I didn't know if it was gonna be a solo album or a GOV'T MULE record. We play some traditional blues on stage from time to time and although it's usually never more than a few songs per show, our approach to the blues is unique and based on our collective chemistry as a band." He adds, "This album gave us a mission. Although in some way it was 'anything goes,' we wanted to stay true to the spirit of the blues in a traditional sense. It's not a blues/rock record — it's a blues record. We wanted it sonically to sound different from a normal GOV'T MULE record."
Though technically considered a studio album, "Heavy Load Blues" was recorded live in the studio at The Power Station New England on analog tape, utilizing vintage guitars, amps and other equipment to capture an authentic sound. The 13-track album was produced by Haynes alongside engineer and co-producer John Paterno (Michael Landau, Robbie Williams, THE STEVE GADD BAND).
One of the many standout tracks is the Junior Wells standard "Snatch It Back And Hold It", which allowed the band to freely cover a classic while sandwiching a spontaneous jam called "Hold It Back" in the middle of a soulful, stirring interpretation that was given a decidedly funky groove. In that regard, while several titles may sound familiar to blues enthusiasts, the band — Haynes, Matt Abts (drums), Danny Louis (keyboards, guitar, and backing vocals) and Jorgen Carlsson (bass) — often opted to put its own spin on them. "I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home", originally recorded by Ann Peebles, is one of the few songs on the record the band has previously played live. On their version, Haynes's nimble guitar riffs are played out over a solid foundation of organ and rhythm, resulting in a kind of funk-like finesse. For the Howlin' Wolf song, "I Asked Her For Water, She Gave Me Gasoline", GOV'T MULE, who are known for pushing the parameters while melding a variety of genres — rock, R&B, jam, funk, jazz, and practically everything in-between, opted for a heavy, up-tempo and funky version that is a far cry from the original.
Leading up to the release of "Heavy Load Blues", GOV'T MULE will continue with their 2021 tour dates. The in-progress outing offers fans a variety of options to catch the road warriors, including co-headlining shows with TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE and dates on Willie Nelson's "Outlaw Music Festival" tour alongside Nelson, Sturgill Simpson, THE AVETT BROTHERS, and more, as well as headlining shows and other festival appearances.
Coming up later this winter, the band returns to Jewel Paradise Cove Resort in Runaway Bay, Jamaica for Island Exodus 12, the ultimate "concert-cation" experience from January 16-20, 2022. Hosted by GOV'T MULE, who will perform three full two-set shows, and Warren Haynes, offering his unique, interactive "Q and Play" set, a hybrid concert performance and storytelling session, the multi-day experience will also feature intimate beachfront concerts from DAWES and THE WAR AND TREATY, who will perform multiple sets, and special guest Ron Holloway, who will present an extended afternoon "Sax On The Beach" set. Attendees arriving early for Exodus Eve on January 15 will see "RoHo" part of Melvin Seals & JGB + Ron Holloway's "Legion of Melvin" show.
"Heavy Load Blues" track listing:
01. Blues Before Sunrise
02. Hole In My Soul
03. Wake Up Dead
04. Love Is A Mean Old World
05. Snatch It Back and Hold It – Hold It Back – Snatch It Back and Hold It
06. Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City
07. (Brother Bill) Last Clean Shirt
08. Make It Rain
09. Heavy Load
10. Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home
11. If Heartaches Were Nickels
12. I Asked Her For Water (She Gave Me Gasoline)
13. Black Horizon
Deluxe Version - Bonus Tracks:
01. Hiding Place
02. You Know My Love
03. Street Corner Talking
04. Have Mercy On The Criminal
05. Long Distance Call
06. Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home (Extended Version)
07. Need Your Love So Bad (Live)
08. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl with Hook Herrera (Live)
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
Thanks for sharing. Instant order for me deluxe CD and vinyl.
Saw the Mule last night at the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston last night. We had 2nd row center seats and the band put on their usual amazing performance and played for 2 hours 20 minutes.
Will post some pix when I have time.
I hope this is a good album, their last two albums have been very 'meh', Warren is a great writer but I wonder (like Jason Isbel) if the well has gone dry. Blues rock is his strong suit IMHO, so this may be very good.
This sounds very interesting......Watching the "making of video" has me very intrigued and since I'm with Buckeye in that the last couple Mule albums, while good, just didn't grab me like previous releases, I'm already excited just hearing and watching the band in the studio creating this music....Very cool too in that they're using such historical instruments and equipment to capture the sound of old yet with a Mule stamp...
Warren sang & played "Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home" on an earlier Kenny Wayne Shepherd disc.
@chain What kind of instruments did they use? Maybe old National dobros and Martin acoustics?
A lot of bands will have a period where their albums are not up to par.
I was very impressed with Gov't Mule's covers of Pink Floyd music. One of my best shows to see live. I saw the Mule several times when Allen Woody was still with them. Just three of them but they were hot.
robertdee,
Watch the second video in jszfunk's post and you'll see Warren discussing the vintage instruments, amps, recording techniques, etc. they used to make this album. Fascinating stuff for any curious gear head....Or Mule fan for that matter.
I'm with Buckeye in that the last couple Mule albums, while good, just didn't grab me like previous releases, I'm already excited just hearing and watching the band in the studio creating this music....Very cool too in that they're using such historical instruments and equipment to capture the sound of old yet with a Mule stamp...
I agree. It's been a good while since I have been really grabbed by a GM release, and I love Warren and this band. Prefer the three piece, but that's a different thread. There have been some really good/strong songs in some of the past releases, but others I just scratch my head. I think Buckeye mentioned about the "well has gone dry". That was said a few years back from a regular poster on this site.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
This upcoming release from Got. Mule, sounds like it might be a must have as well. To hear this band pull out all the stops and just play some down home blues tunes , even if they are covers is all right by me. I also appreciate the band for keeping the cost of this release at something that most folks can afford. It's nice when Bands go out of the box to keep themselves viable. IMO Govt. Mule is just that!
@chain Thanks so much. I just watched it. Somehow I only viewed the first one and overlooked the second one. I'm looking forward to the album being a blues fan and a Mule fan.
Warren playing a Bigsby guitar!! When I was a kid in the 1950's my mother was a Red Foley fan and Red's guitar player played a Bigsby. I saw them live twice. The guitarist was the late Grady Martin.
Grady Martin was an absolutely FANTASTIC acoustic guitar player. He was very good.
Here is Grady Martin on the huge 1961 hit El Paso. It is a pleasure to focus on Grady and he will indeed impress you very much
Sorry if I'm hijacking the threat but Grady Martin on a vintage Martin guitar is worth it.
This upcoming release from Got. Mule, sounds like it might be a must have as well. To hear this band pull out all the stops and just play some down home blues tunes , even if they are covers is all right by me. I also appreciate the band for keeping the cost of this release at something that most folks can afford. It's nice when Bands go out of the box to keep themselves viable. IMO Govt. Mule is just that!
Agree 100%. Warren has always kept the Mule accessible to his fans and ticket prices reasonable. Based on how well the Mule does cover songs I expect this album to be stellar.
@bill_graham Yes the Mule always does cover songs very well. The Pink Floyd shows come to mind. Excellent versions of Floyd material and Warren even changed up guitars so he could nail David Gilmore's tone.
Warren and the Mule always makes sure they do it the right way. My first Mule show was 1994 and I see them everytime they are near me.
@robertdee Yeah I saw them do Dark Side of the Moon and it was fantastic.
Also have several official and bootlegs shows where they did special cover sets lists which are always excellent.
Some of the ones I have are Led Zep, AC/DC, Dub Mule and a great MTN. Jam video where they do a set of Band songs with members of Levon Helm's band.
I enjoy the covers almost as much as the original Mule stuff
@bill_graham One Halloween some years ago Govt Mule did some Hendrix and Warren had a yellow or maybe it was an orange Strat with a whammy bar. I'd never seen Warren play a guitar with a whammy bar but Warren did well. He used it sparingly perhaps but when he did it fit the solo rather than just making crazy sounds.
I had never heard of Warren until I saw Dickey Betts Band in 1988 and I've been a fan ever since. I saw a couple of shows of his solo tour in 1993 and bought his solo album. This was a year or so before Gov't Mule formed.
Maybe it was 1992. His is Warren solo in 1992
I like this! Will definitely will buy Deluxe version. By a Thread was the last Mule album I was really into.
By A Thread was a good one. I played the first one in the car today and it is real good. Mother Earth is a hot little song!
“By A Thread” was the last Mule album that I really enjoyed....”Shout” had its moments but was not as consistent for me as a typical Mule project.
In an early summer Warren interview someone posted on this site, Warren mentioned that Mule has recorded a great deal of material this past year or so. I wouldn’t be surprised if they release yet another new album not long after “Heavy Load Blues” is released.....Either way, I’m hopefully this new album will be very good.
I have to say, after several listens (I purchased the vinyl), the songs — in and of themselves — are good. However, the album suffers from a lack of variety of style. To some extent I feel like I’m listening to the same song over and over again for an hour.
