GOV’T MULE – Shout! [2CD] (2013)

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Founder member of Southern / Classic Rock giants GOV’T MULE and Grammy winner Warren Haynes is one of my favorite rock guitar players from outside the Melodic Hard scene.
To be released next week, “Shout!” is Gov’t Mule’s first studio set in four years, and the band is trying something different for this, their 10th record: it’s a double album – one CD collecting 11 new tracks, and the other featuring an all-star line-up of artists interpreting most of those songs.

The main “Shout!” Gov’t Mule-only CD is one of band’s most accessible releases so far.
There’s plenty of deep grooves, sparkling riffs, complex time changes and intricate band interplay, but also a welcome sense of melody, space and time. The music shifts from pulsating, riff-driven classic rock, to melodic slow blues, funk, slide-led roots rock, soul and uptempo catchy Rock&pop.
With the exception of three songs written with specific artists in mind, “Shout!” is an album of brand new material that was recorded before the guests were chosen to perform the new material on the second disc.

The bonus disc is fraught with potential difficulties, not least the possibility that it might fail to measure up to the band’s own recording. But while Warren lays down a marker with some trademark vocals, and the band play superbly, the specially invited guests make sure that the best laid plans are never in danger of failing.
As example, the Voice of Rock Glenn Hughes performs an extravagant intro and some trademark phrasing on the haunting vintage rocker “No Reward”, one of 11 bonus tracks that showcase the joys of interpretative singing.

Warren incorporates a suitably tougher vocal on “Bring On The Music” a tribute to Free which could just as easily be Bad Company. Cult singer Ty Taylor stamps his own mark on the piece with clarity of diction, expansive leads and real presence.
Elvis Costello’s adds an enjoyable and welcomed new wave urgency on “Funny Little Tragedy”, while the album’s coolest groove “When The World Gets Small” features both Warren and Steve Winwood at their best respectively. It sounds like the song Traffic never wrote back in a day.

“Shout!” deserves all the plaudits that will surely come its way. Few bands have a reputation for making music as consistently honest, organic and daring as Gov’t Mule. This is Classic Rock, pure and traditional but a the same time adventurous and with a strong sense of vitality; this music has flesh and bones.
As plus, it’s an album that restores your faith in guest projects, where all the artists featured really add a new dimension to the songs.
Classic Rock is alive in Gov’t Mule’s hands.
Strongly Recommended.

CD 1 : “Shout”
01. World Boss
02. No Reward
03. Whisper In Your Soul
04. Captured
05. Scared to Live
06. Stoop So Low
07. Forsaken Savior
08. Done Got Wise
09. When The World Gets Small
10. Funny Little Tragedy
11. Bring On The Music

CD 2 : “Shout” bonus CD Guests

01 – World Boss (With Ben Harper)
02 – Funny Little Tragedy (With Elvis Costello)
03 – Stoop So Low (With Dr. John)
04 – Captured (With Jim James)
05 – Whisper In Your Soul (With Grace Potter)
06 – Scared To Live (With Toots Hibbert)
07 – No Reward (With Glenn Hughes)
08 – Bring On The Music (With Ty Taylor of Vintage Trouble)
09 – Forsaken Savior (With Dave Matthews)
10 – Done Got Wise (With Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge)
11 – When The World Gets Small (With Steve Winwood)

Warren Haynes (guitars, vocals)
Danny Louis (keyboards, vocals)
Jorgen Carlsson (bass)
Matt Abts (drums)

Pre-Order:
www.amazon.com/Shout-Govt-Mule/dp/B00DB2JQ7W
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