By: David Schultz

For many years now, Warren Haynes has deservedly earned the title of "The Hardest Working Man In Rock 'N' Roll." One of the world's more ubiquitous guitarists, Haynes has recently been aligned with The Allman Brothers Band, The Dead, Phil Lesh & Friends in addition to fronting his own band, Gov't Mule. In fact, given his other affiliations and frequent guest appearances with other artists, it's altogether too easy to write off Gov't Mule as Warren Haynes' side project. While Haynes' other groups have garnered him a bit more mainstream attention, Gov't Mule, a power trio formed with his then Allman Brothers brother Allen Woody and drummer Matt Abts, has always been his first love; he and Woody leaving the seminal southern rock band in 1997 to devote their full energies to The Mule.

Once a weighty blues power trio, the band restructured after Woody's untimely death in 2000. Adding keyboardist Danny Louis and bassist Andy Hess, Mule sallied forth, becoming a stalwart touring attraction. On High & Mighty, Gov't Mule has finally hit their stride as a foursome; offering their strongest studio effort yet. Without succumbing to any dreary, plodding extremes, Mule resurrects their signature hard-driving southern blues, adding a few new rhythms and expanding upon their customary style. Haynes' encyclopedic knowledge of nearly all forms of 20th century music manifests itself the razor sharp guitar riffs found throughout High & Mighty. While Abts and Hess provide their typically powerful rhythm, it's Louis' surgically precise organ riffs, creating a gospel-like counterpoint, that flushes out Mule’s heavy blues giving them a fuller, more polished sound.

A portion of High & Mighty expertly treads familiar ground, the stellar weighty blues that listeners expect from any Gov't Mule project. On "Brand New Angel" and "Streamline Woman," featuring Haynes' laying greasy licks over Abts and Hess' relentless beat, they mine gold. Unfortunately, the same doesn't hold true on "Like Flies," which stews blandly in its own juices. The album soars to exciting heights when Mule bravely goes outside their typical comfort zone: on "Unring The Bell," they skillfully and subtly intertwine a reggae beat and guitar effects into a bluesy melody; on "3 String George" a wonderfully funky bonus track, they go old school, channeling Booker T & The MGs.

Anyone familiar with Haynes' 2004 release Live At Bonnaroo knows that Haynes excels at burning smoldering blues, his voice a perfect blend of world weary resignation and fiery righteous passion. When High & Mighty goes this route, it truly matches its title; "So Weak, So Strong" and "Child Of The Earth" achieving the same passion and beauty as Haynes' underrated classic "Soulshine." Mule finishes High & Mighty by bringing their slow simmer to a boil; their yearning blues fitting Mule much better than their attempts at boogie shuffles. "Million Miles From Yesterday" with its gospel choir, "Brighter Days" and "Endless Parade" hit the same soulful high marks as early era Black Crowes, closing the album with restrained yet powerful beauty.

In recording High & Mighty, Mule opened the door to the studio, inviting their fans to drop by their web site and glimpse their creative process at work. The openness of the process spread to the music, infusing it with a rewarding intimacy. A modern southern rock masterpiece, High & Mighty marks an extraordinary leap forward for the band. In challenging the limits of their perceived boundaries, Mule has possibly created the classic rock album of the year.

Gov't Mule will celebrate High & Mighty’s release with a Monday evening appearance (August 21) at New York City's Virgin Megastore in Union Square. The band will be present to sign copies of the album, which goes on sale at 11:00 p.m., and then perform live for all in attendance. On August 28, they'll repeat the effort at the Virgin Megastore in Chicago, IL.

Labels: Gov't Mule, Warren Haynes