The original three piece band Gov't Mule is the ofspring of The Allman Brothers. Guitarist Warren Haynes was the second replacement for the late Duane Allman. Through the position, Warren met new Allman Brothers bassist Allen Woody. And drummer Matt Abts was the playing for The Dickey Betts band. And of course Dickey Betts was once the guitarist of The Allman Brothers.
Not only did this trio pick up The Allman Brothers' Blues Rock sound (Though not as heavily influenced by Blues), they also picked up their jam talent. Which of course made Gov't Mule popular in early underground jam scene. It's odd to think of Gov't Mule as a Jam Band. They seem to heavy, but none the less they fit all the characteristics a Jam Band has. Endless tours, unbelievable musicianship, fantastic chemistry, and fabulous long jams. So, this Jam Band brought a new feature to the overall Jam Band line up. Which was basically led by not as heavy Jam Bands like Phish, The String Cheese Incident, and the occasionally heavy Widespread Panic.
Though I find that Gov't Mule is at it's best live, like most bands in their category are. But they do successfully deliver on there two part "Deep End". Out of the two, I find the first (
The Deep End: Volume 1, the one I'm reviewing) to be the better one. Not exactly by far though. [I}The Deep End: Volume 1[/i] has many great songs, and many great guest bassists (as does Volume 2). Some being Jack Bruce of Cream, Mike Gordon of Phish, John Entwistle of The Who, Flea from The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Roger Glover of Deep Purple, ect. Each attempt to match the greatness of Allen Woody, and do fantastic, but of course can not provide the chemistry with Haynes and Abts, that Allen Woody once had. The album also contains many great appearances by other musicians, who aren't bassists. Some being, Greg Allman, and Derek Trucks of The Allman Brothers, Page McConnell of Phish, Jerry Cantrell from Alice in Chains, ect. All together the guests just make the album more interesting. And quite unique, being that both musicians try to change their style to match most of the guests' former or current band members. For instance on "Same Price", Matt tries to resemble Keith Moon because John Entwistle accompanies the band along with Page McConnell on that track. If you are merely looking for tracks just to download to get a taste of the album, I would strongly recommend "Fool's Moon" featuring Jack Bruce and Bernie Worrell. And "Banks of The Deep End" featuring Mike Gordon and Danny Louis. So here goes...
Fool's Moon
"Fool's Moon", along with Gov't Mule of course, features Jack Bruce playing bass and singing. Bernie Worrell is also featured playing organ and clarinet. The track is among my favorites on the album. Bruce sings it with more power than he sang anything in his Cream days. Along with Bruce's powerful singing, each member including Worrell add to the song with great rythm and led playing. I particularly like the chorus, and Hayne's solo. It includes great energy and matches the track perfectly. Overall, everything is done great, and the song is extremely catchy. 5/5
Life on the Outside
I completely find this song perfect. The help from Larry Graham, Audley Freed, and Eddie Harsch add greatly, especially Graham who switched up vocals with Haynes off and on. The track is led by a great, that plays out through the whole song. I particularly like the duel guitar solos between Haynes and Freed, and Abts' fantastic drumming just adds. Perfection, in my opinion. 5/5
Banks of the Deep End
"Banks of the Deep End" is the emotion climax of the album in my opinion. Everything flows perfectly, great emotion, and is catchy as hell. Everything is unbelievably great. Mike Gordon's bass playing and Danny Louis' organ playing compliment the song fantastically. Great solos are thrown in by both Haynes and Louis, and the lyrics are possibly the best on the album. Matt Abts' drumming is of course extraordinarily done, that goes for Warren's playing also. Fantastic jam, this song alone would make me buy this album. 5/5
Down and Out in New York City
This track has nice, almost urban like vibe to it. Hard to explain. Pretty much because of the smooth combination of Warren's guitar solo, good timing on drums, and some well flowing organ playing from Rob Barraco. Flea, Mike Uhler, and Don Weinstein also lend their bass, saxophone, and trumpet skills to the song. Warren really aproaches the vocals weird. His attitude is just different from the previous and other tracks. The solo Warren puts out is kind of mediocre compared to the rest of his work, but adds to the song nicely. As does the rest of the musicians, but particularly Weinstein and Uhler's woodwind and brass work. Technically their playing is fabulous, but does none the less help the song greatly. Pretty good track. 4/5
Effigy
I love the guitar riff in this song. And just the overall feel. Quite smooth and beautiful sounding. You could relate it to The Grateful Dead's "Broke down Palace" if you've ever heard it. "Effigy" just slightly resembles the track. Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains and solo lends his vocals to this number (Odd that he didn't play guitar on it though.), and Mike Watts adds his bass playing to the mix. The chorus gets kind of annoying and dull after awhile, but the track is usually brought back to life from Haynes' lively solos. At about five minutes and thirty seconds in band and the guests change the song into a fast tempo breakdown. Which would soon slow down and end the track. Warren's solos save this one from being mediocre. 3/5
Maybe I'm a Leo
It amazes me how many great riffs Haynes can throw in an album. And how well Abts compliments and adds to them. Deep Purple/Rainbow bassist Roger Glover and organist Randall Bramblett stand in on this track also. And it's surprising how much this track sounds and resembles a Deep Purple number. Totally ran by the bass, crazy organ solo, and rapid drumming. And of course Warren some great jagged, Blackmore like solos. Great tune. 4/5
Same Price
"Same Price" includes two of my favorite musicians from two of my favorite bands along with Warren and Matt. John Entwistle, bass player of The Who, and Page McConnel pianist of Phish. Both give of their style, and even Matt tries to imitate the playing of former and desisted drummer of The Who, Keith Moon. Which he of course does in a rapid out of control manner. Every instrument blends and bounces off of each other perfectly. And the song is catchy as hell. Great chorus, and just great everything. 5/5
Soulshine
This track flows fabulously well. The organ and wurlitzer playing from Chuck Leavell. Great bass lines by Willie Weeks, drumming, and wonderful vocals and guitar playing by both Warren, and Little Milton. The track is extremely soulful, and have a great inspirational and positive sense to it. I really like everything on this song, but rythm section really owns this song. The solos on the organ and guitar are each done perfectly and match the song nicely, and just overall the song is fabulous. 5/5
Sco-Mule
Here's kind of a Jazz/Latin influenced song. It is an instrumental and is kept alive by both Gov't Mule, and it's guests. The guests are as listed, Chris Wood on bass, John Scofield on guitar along with Warren, and Bernie Worrell on the organ and clarinet. The song keeps strong by almost over the top guitar solos, and Matt's fantastic drumming. Filled with great fills, and fabulous double bass work. This track is an example why Matt is one hell of an underrated drummer. Not much more to say, it's pretty good, nothing amazing other than Matt's playing. 3.5/5
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