GOV'T MULE (ABO#408b)

GOV'T MULE

COVERS

(1998-2010)

Here's The Little Surprise. At the beginning there was PAPS (formerly HotBear) who was thinking of making with me a great Mule compilation. I would have done the studio recording, with only self composed songs and a live one with only cover versions. Things went differently : When I finally began my Gov't Mule compilation, I've had no new from him for a long time a then decided to only make a single compilation with both studio and live recordings and also with covers. The result was ABO#408a.

Then, a few weeks ago, I recived a mail by PAPS who sent his BAISTOPHE. I couldn't refuse his hard work. The only solution was to rework my BAISTOPHE. But, finally, as no songs were on both two compilations, I finally decided two post both as is.

This one is PAPS' one and you'll have the chance to listen the Mule as if it were a complete two hours and a half live show with only cover songs.

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GOV'T MULE (ABO#408a)

GOV'T MULE

FROM THE ARCHIVES

(1995-2010)

This project is a long awaited Baistophe on our list.

I have discovered Gov't Mule back in 1999 when a friend of mine, record seller told me of them. He sold me their Live with the little help from our friends CD and I was really impressed that that kind of music was still played at that time. I didn't even know Haynes was one of the major member of the Allman Brothers Band. I wasn't surprised to know that because the spirit of both bands are similar to each other. However, Mule's one is harder, heavier ... and maybe more soulful.

What is notable in Gov't Mule is their capacity to cover other songs but in their own language. You'll find some on that Baistophe but many many more exist. If are well-behaved, maybe you'll get a surprise soon. ;-)

The best album : Dose (1998) I think few people will disagree with me when I say that the best studio era for the Mule lasts until their 2003 Deepest End ablum. After that, the albums are not very worse but are less surprising when you know the band (excepted one album, see third column). In my opinion, Mule's best is Dose simply because it has got lots and lots of great tunes so that, compared with other albums, I had too much songs from it on my first choice list for this Baistophe.

The album that will make you admire them : Live, With The Little Help From Our Friends (1999) Recorded during a New Year's Eve show, in the same tradition of the Grateful Dead, this live album (4CDs !) will outblow you by the quality of the songs, the performance and covers chosen (Jimi Hendrix, Free, Neil Young, Frank Zappa, ...) If you don't like this show, no doubt you're not ready to assist any of the Mules'

The worst album Mighty High (2006) When I tolf on the first column that Gov't Mule did not really surprise anymore in the second part of theur carreer, I remembered that there was an album that contradicted this. With Mighty High, Gov't Mule went another way and made a reggae oriented album. That's not that I dislike reggae (even if ...) but this album is pretty boring. Gov't Mule has not really assimilated the reggae spirit. The only song I kept was the first one and is the only one that is not a reggae song. If you want a reggae album, try a real jamaican band first.

The best live album : Live At Roseland Ballroom (1996) That's not because it is their first live album that this is my favourite one. My choice was for this one because I found that the performance was more instinctive, more aventurous, more psychedelic maybe... The album opens with Trane which is a masterpiece and includes in this version, winks to bands like Jimi Hendrix Experience, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Grateful Dead... The album is short compared with its followers but is much more dense. I think it is the best way to blow your mind

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ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND (ABO#251)

ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND

MEET ME AT THE MUSHROOM FOREST

1969-2003

Prejudices are a bit too scathing in this low World. Talk about Southern Rock, anyone could think of the Rebs flag, racism or even the KKK. That's not all true. Lynyrd Skynrd were usually (and still are) embossed because of their hit single Sweet Home Alabama, while this song his just a song made to break those prejudices. Allman Brothers Band had not that kind of problem. First because they had a much more peaceful identity, and second, because they had a black member.

Beside, ABB music sounds very like LySky ones, but much more jazzy and aventurous. Gregg Allman's voice is just the twin brother to Ronnie Van Zant's.

By the way, I really prefer ABB's discography, much more inventive and, contrary to Lynyrd Skynyrd, their come back in the 90s really caught the initial spirit. This is a 3CD set, I couldn't make better.

My ABB's TOP3 :

1. Live At Filmore* (1971)

2. Eat A Peach (1972)

3. Hittin' The Note (2003)

My ABB's BOTTOM3 :

1. Reach For The Sky (1980)

2. Seven Turn (1991)

3. Brothers Of The Road (1981)

(*) = This live album is a bit like a studio album, like mostly any live Allman Brothers album of the 70s, because it features plenty of new songs at that day.