Gov't Mule
The Deep End, Vol. 1
ATO Records ATOA0003


by William Michael Smith

If you miss that hardcore '60s/'70s style blues-rock that seems to have fallen completely out of favor with radio programmers and record producers, hitch a ride on the Gov't Mule. Guitarist Warren Haynes and drummer Matt Abts have, with The Deep End, released one of the "heaviest" rock records I've heard in a long while. Not only does The Deep End recall such obvious precursors as the Allmans and Skynrd, it also draws spirit and inspiration from influences as far apart as Cream and James Brown and Deep Purple. But Gov't Mule is no retro act or a bunch of geezers who just can't let go of the glory days and move forward. No, what these guys do with their songs and their been-there-can-do-that playing brings their brand of rock into the 21st century as a highly viable musical alternative.

Due to the death of original Gov't Mule bassist (and former Allman Brother) Allen Woody in August 2000, Haynes and Abts decided that, rather than recruit a new bassist so soon after Woody's passing, they would do a project with a number of their favorite bass guitarists. They recorded tracks with 25 different players and decided to release the recordings as two volumes (Vol. 2 is scheduled for a spring release). The guest bassists on Vol. 1 represent an amazing cross-section of talents that cuts across genres, styles, and eras: Jack Bruce (Cream), Larry Graham (Sly & The Family Stone), Mike Gordon (Phish), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Mike Watt (The Minutemen, fIREHOSE), Roger Glover (Deep Purple), John Entwistle (The Who), Willy Weeks (Isley Brothers), Chris Wood (Traffic), Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers), Stefan Lessard (Dave Matthews), and the legendary Bootsy Collins (James Brown, P-Funk). There are also guest shots by the likes of Little Milton, Chuck Leavell, Derek Trucks, Gregg Allman, and Jerry Cantrell.

This is, in every sense, "heavy" music. Or call it intense. These guys never take a song off to rest (or let the audience rest!), they never slack instrumentally or tone down the music. There is plenty of distortion and wah pedaling and the vocals can be in your face. There are no novelty songs, no jokes, and no flippant plays on words. Mostly written by Haynes and with titles like "Life on the Outside," "Down and Out in New York City," "Worried Down with the Blues," and "Sin's a Good Man's Brother" (written by Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad), this music is meant to be taken seriously.

But beyond the assemblage of bass legends, what really makes this a special album is the way Haynes and Abts have shaped the songs and music to fit the style of the guest players. Jack Bruce's track has the Cream sound. "Life on the Outside" has that big Sly Stone beat and vocal interplay. Producer Michael Barbiero (Tesla, Madonna, Soundgarden) has done a great job of getting a sound on each track that echoes the sound associated with the bassist being recorded.

The music is so intense and played with such purpose and utter professionalism that there really is no "best track" on The Deep End, just a series of highlights. Certainly Little Milton's distinctive voice and classic vocal style on Haynes' blues growler "Soulshine" sets it apart from the rest of the tracks. Bernie Worrell's psychedelic organ duel with Haynes' guitar makes the instrumental "SCO Mule" a scintillating piece of ear candy. Bootsy's too-cool vocals and effects magic gives "Tear Me Down" the feel of an Allman Brothers track with George Clinton conducting. "Sin's a Good Man's Brother," Gov't Mule's final recording with Allen Woody, is given a stripped down, hard driving Led Zeppelin treatment. There is no mistaking Jack Bruce's Cream-y "White Room" vocal on "Fool's Moon." The cover of Credence Clearwater Revival's classic protest song, "Effigy," with its three distinct movements, is absolutely chilling.

Easy listeners best look elsewhere because this is no album to relax by. But if you miss your Allman Brothers and your Cream and that "heavy music" era, Gov't Mule's got what you need.

* You can find your Gov't Mule at www.mule.net Be watching this winter for the release of a DVD/VHS film, "On the Banks," a documentary on Gov't Mule which features footage from the recording as well as extensive interviews with the bassists involved in the project.





Contact William Michael Smith at: wms-at-rockzilla.net

 
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