Ever hear of Government Mule anyone?

Warren Hayes has to be one of my favorite guitar players. He has that voice that is like someone smoked a whole pack of Lucky Strikes and drank a whole bottle of whiskey.

 

"Rising low" I believe, a rockumentary about the bass player from government mule who died and a bunch of bass players who got together to make a tribute to him, too many famous ones to count.Mike gordon, the phish bassplayer directed it, it's a pretty interesting show, i like the interviews with them, it helps show their personalities a bit, one of my favorites is mike watt, he is quite nuts, but in a good way.

 

Mike Gordon has sat in with the band and directed the "Rising Low" DVD (I think that's the one), but he is not a member of the band.

They are a kick-a$$ rock band. Cool grooves and riffs. Go see them live. Warren is a monster of a rock star.

The Deepest End DVD/CD is a great buy for bassists. It has many special guest bassists on it. It's well worth the listen just to see many of these different bassists in action.

 

yeah, i have part 2 of the cd set, its got a whole bunch of cool bass players, like les claypool, phil lesh, and chris wood, while i believe part one has players like flea, roger glover, and a whole bunch of other big name stars...pretty cool

 

Since noone's mentioned it yet, I will - the original bassist was Allen Woody, who played mainly short-scale basses and mandolin occasionally. Both Warren Haynes (the guitarist) and Allen Woody played in the Allman Bros. Band for a while - rejuvenated the band.

Allen Woody was also a collector with an amazing bunch of instruments, including the famous 18-string bass (6 courses tripled!!!) that he used live on "Whipping Post" with the Allmans...

The Rising Low albums are great, but post-Woody. However, I never really got into their studio stuff so I can't make any recommendations.

 

Warren Haynes is amazing. It's shocking he's not a household name.

 

Bad Brains,

You gotta watch Rising Low! I watched it in my SUV and thorougly enjoyed it!





brad cook

 

He's not? I've been a fan of his ever since I saw him with the Allman Brothers for the first time.

I think that was about fifteen years ago. Allen Woody was there too. But he made more of an impression as 'a guy with really cool gear' than as a player. That took more listening. He had a good ear. He wasn't often flashy. But he got the job done pretty well. And I think it's always cool to see a rock star who is uglier than me.

 

Govt' Mule is awesome!

Warren is the man!

Check out the tune "Cortez The Killer"

 

Nothing flashy but if you listen to some of the live bootlegs he played some cool rocks lines and got some deep (fat) tones out of that Thunderbird he played. I could listen to him and their drummer (Matt Abts) all day. One hell of a rhythm section.

 

I have to admit that I'm kind of suprised that only three people (including myself) have even mentioned Allen Woody. Well, I guess a lot more people became familiar with them after the Deep End stuff came out. That's cool, but I think people are missing out on some of the great stuff Woody played. My personal favorite Woody playing is on the tune "Trane" from Live at Roseland Ballroom.

Oh yeah, thanx Cacklingjackyl for reminding me about the Thunderbirds!!! Definitely long-scale...

 

This is the CD that got me hooked.

http://www.mule.net/discography/03/index.html

Disc one is nasty.

 

www.mule.net

Check 'em out. I think the old stuff with Woody is a little better then the new stuff but that's just my opinion.

I went and saw them in December and the new bassist, Andy Hess kicked ass. He covers all the old stuff just like it was his from the start.

Cool thing is that if you see them (one of the best live bands I've ever seen) they record all of their shows and then sell them on their website. I just downloaded the show I went to and the mix is excellent.

The Deep End DVD is a must see (the song Mule with George Porter Jr playing bass is the s**t) as is the Allman Bros at the Bacon Theatre DVD with Oteil Brubridge on bass.

Killer

 

Government Mule is a great band, Warren Haynes one of the hardest working guitarists around; I still wonder how he manages it to play with the Allman Brothers, Govt. Mule and now the Greatful Dead (that's what I've heard).

Mule published some great albums, one of my favorites is
"Bad Little Doggie", "Fool's Moon" with Jack Bruce on Bass.

 

Woody was the man - nobody plays like that anymore.
Warren is great and maybe the busiest musician in the business. That being said, the new stuff doesn't really do it for me...

 

I agree, but also believe that if Jack Bruce would have joined GM it might have been just as good as with Woody, different, but just as good.

 

My vote would have been George Porter, Jr. I don't think Warren wanted to go in that direction though. I read that George really wanted the gig though. I always enjoy Gov't Schools (Mule with Dave Schools on bass) too.

 

They rock like very few others on earth.