New music: The Rolling Stones, Charley Crockett, 'American Cosmic Revival, Vol. 2'

In this column, I celebrate the latest returns from The Rolling Stones, Charley Crockett and an essential tribute to "Cosmic American Music" spearheaded by alt country champion Christian Parker.

Artist: The Rolling Stones
Title: Foreign Tongues (Capitol)
You might like if you enjoy: The Rolling Stones

Tell me more: Against all odds — and time itself — The Rolling Stones are back. More than 60 years after emerging from the early '60s London music scene, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers returned on July 10 with their 25th studio album, Foreign Tongues. Produced by Andrew Watt, the new star-studded followup to the band's 2023 album Hackney Diamonds features musical contributions from the illustrious likes of Cure frontman Robert Smith (vocals, guitar), Steve Winwood, keyboardist Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), drummer Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Bruno Mars, Sir Paul McCartney and more. The album even features a track recorded with the late Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts just prior to his death in 2021! Is this a top-tier return from the English band featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood? Definitely. The 14-track album is loaded with the band's signature brand of blues-influenced rock and roll. Just listen to the rowdy "Mr. Charm" featuring Jagger's rapid-fire vocals, the rousing blues-rock gem "Rough And Twisted" adorned with some killer blues harmonica, the shimmering instant classic "In The Stars," R&B-flavored "Jealous Lover" (the latter showcasing Jagger's terrific falsetto vocals) or countrified "Ringing Hollow" to feel the spirit of the so-called "greatest rock and roll band in the world" rear their glorious head in 2026. Other terrific cuts on the LP include the propulsive '80s-tinged rocker "Never Wanna Lose You" featuring backing vocals from Smith, the tender "Covered In You" and "Back In Your Life," and infectious dance-fueled "Side Effects." The album closes out with a delightfully raw slide guitar heavy reading of Chuck Berry's 1958 classic "Beautiful Delilah." Information: rollingstones.com.  

Artist: Charley Crockett
Title: Clovis (Atlantic Outpost)
You might like if you enjoy: Hank Williams, Michael Ubaldini, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard

Tell me more: Originally released on April 28, 2026 — and then pulled from all streaming services because of record company-related legal issues on May 7 — Charley Crockett's 17th studio album Clovis was re-released by Atlantic Outpost on July 3 in time for America's 250th Birthday. The 14-track LP is a true return to form for the Texas native. Recorded in a mere six days in Clovis, New Mexico (March 21-26, 2026) while Crockett, his entire band and album producer Shooter Jennings were sick with COVID-19, the album is a true celebration of Crockett's neotraditional country approach. The album is outstanding, bolstered by a parade of winning originals spanning from the driving opener "The Hallelujah Trail" (co-written by Jennings and Crockett) to the outlaw country-mining closer "Waylon Rides Again." Among this writer's favorite tracks on the disc are the Waylon Jennings-flavored "Down by Law," the soulful romance-themed "Image of a Woman," rowdy country rocker "Eagle and the Crow," autobiographical "Country Music," tender "Last Night at the Alamo" and deeply affecting cover of Johnny Cash's 1958 original "Don't Take Your Guns to Town." Information: charleycrockett.com.

Artists: Christian Parker, Earl Poole Ball, Patrick Cleary, Jay Dee Maness
Title: American Cosmic Revival Vol. 2: Miles From Nowhere (Subcat Records / Edgewater Music Group)
You might like if you enjoy: Gram Parsons, Michael Ubaldini, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Merle Haggard, Gene Clark, Bob Dylan

Tell me more: In the late 1960s and early '70s, Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman were among the principal artists who crafted music that blended country, folk and rock music into what would soon be dubbed "Cosmic American Music." Indeed, that movement influenced a number of other music icons including The Eagles, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Poco, Michael Ubaldini, First Aid Kit and even The Rolling Stones. Now New York-based singer-guitarist Christian Parker has released an ambitious tribute to the beloved musical tradition with an illustrious cast of players including pianist Earl Poole Ball (whose career includes work with Parsons, Johnny Cash, The Byrds and the International Submarine Band) and pedal steel guitar player Jay Dee Maness (a founding member of the International Submarine Band and later a member of the Desert Rose Band). The mix of wonderful selections include a bewitching take on the Parsons-Hillman composition "Wheels," an emotive reading of the countrified ballad "She Once Lived Here," wistful Americana take of the Gene Clark-Bernie Leadon co-write "Train Leaves Here This Morning," soaring version of the Everly Brothers' beautiful "So Sad," and touching rendition of Merle Haggard's "If We Make It Through December." Closing out the fantastic collection is a touching rendering of The Rolling Stones' classic "Wild Horses." Information: christianparker.com or subcat.net.

Robert Kinsler

'Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision' deluxe box set coming Sept. 13

Get news on an exciting new Jimi Hendrix documentary and related deluxe album box set coming next month...Robert Kinsler

NEW DOCUMENTARY + DELUXE ALBUM BOX SET  ELECTRIC LADY STUDIOS: A JIMI HENDRIX VISION  OUT SEPTEMBER 13

Film Chronicles Creation of Groundbreaking New York Recording Studio: Set Includes 38 Previously Unreleased Jimi Hendrix Tracks From 1970 + 20 New 5.1 Mixes On Blu-ray

On September 13, Experience Hendrix L.L.C., in partnership with Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, is releasing Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision, a deluxe box set offering 39 tracks (38 previously unreleased) that were recorded by the new-look Jimi Hendrix Experience (Billy Cox on bass, Mitch Mitchell on drums) at Electric Lady Studios between June and August of 1970, just before the legendary musician’s untimely death the following month.   In celebration of the forthcoming release, on August 8, the City of New York will be temporarily renaming the portion of West 8th Street between 6th Street and MacDougal Street JIMI HENDRIX WAY. This is the block on which Electric Lady Studios was built and still stands. There will also be a media screening event inside the studio that night. The official theatrical premiere of Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision will be on August 9 at Quad Cinema in Manhattan at 7:00 PM and feature a post-screening Q&A session with director and co-producer John McDermott, co-producer and president/CEO of Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. Janie Hendrix, and producer/engineer Eddie Kramer. The film is distributed by Abramorama and all confirmed worldwide theatrical bookings for it can be found here: https://ajimihendrixvision.com/showtimes/

Pre-order Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision

The project also includes 20 newly created 5.1 surround sound mixes of the entire First Rays Of The New Rising Sun album plus three bonus tracks [“Valleys Of Neptune,” “Pali Gap,” and “Lover Man”]. The Blu-ray includes the critically acclaimed, full-length documentary Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision. The film chronicles the creation of the studio, rising from the rubble of a bankrupt Manhattan nightclub to becoming a state-of-the-art recording facility inspired by Hendrix’s desire for a permanent studio. Directed by John McDermott and produced by Janie Hendrix, George Scott and McDermott, the film features exclusive interviews with Steve Winwood (who joined Hendrix on the first night of recording at the new studio), Experience bassist Billy Cox and original Electric Lady staff members who helped Hendrix realize his dream. The documentary includes never-before-seen footage and photos as well as track breakdowns of Hendrix classics such as “Freedom,” Angel” and “Dolly Dagger” by recording engineer Eddie Kramer. The package includes an extensive booklet filled with unpublished photos, Hendrix’s handwritten song drafts, and comprehensive liner notes. The new release comes on the heels of another feature-length documentary that was created by the same team; Music, Money, Madness… Jimi Hendrix Live In Maui, which was nominated for a GRAMMY in the Best Music Film category in 2022.   Leading the project is a previously unreleased version of “Angel [Take 7].”  This newly mixed, stripped down version includes the original performances recorded by Hendrix, Mitchell and Cox on July 23, 1970.  It does not include any of the drums and additional percussion elements Mitchell opted to add to this master take after Jimi had died.

View the new music video for “Angel [Take 7]” here

Contained on the five vinyl LPs or three CDs in the Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision box set are 39 tracks recorded by Jimi and his band—consisting of bassist Billy Cox and drummer Mitch Mitchell—at the studio within the last four months of the guitarist’s life. Hendrix was hard at work creating First Rays Of The New Rising Sun, the ambitious double album that would follow his 1968 masterwork Electric Ladyland. Inspired by the possibilities of the new studio, the Experience built classic fare such as “Night Bird Flying,” “Freedom,” and “Dolly Dagger” from the ground up. The set offers a comprehensive look at the work Hendrix undertook during that fruitful summer of 1970. The music ranges from four-track demo recordings of “Valleys Of Neptune” and “Heaven Has No Sorrow,” alternate arrangements of promising new songs such as “Come Down Hard On Me” and “Belly Button Window,” extraordinary, live in the studio takes of “Tune X/In From The Storm,” “Astro Man” and “The Long Medley,” a stirring, 26 minute spontaneous exploration of “Beginnings,” “Hey Baby (New Rising Sun),” “Keep On Groovin’” and “Freedom.” Additionally, the box set present many of the mixes the guitarist completed with engineer Eddie Kramer before leaving to begin a European tour on August 30 at the Isle Of Wight festival in England.  Hendrix would never again return to Electric Lady Studios.   The newly mixed 5.1 audio tracks contained on the Blu-ray of Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision include all 17 tracks from the posthumously released First Rays of the New Rising Sun (1997, recorded 1968-70), as well as “Pali Gap” from Rainbow Bridge (1971, recorded 1970), “Lover Man” from The Jimi Hendrix Experience box set, (2000, recorded 1970) and “Valleys of Neptune” from Valleys of Neptune (2010, recorded 1969-70).  The documentary explains in depth that while Jimi Hendrix’s death robbed the public of so much potential music, the continued success of his recording studio provides a lasting legacy beyond his own music. John Lennon, The Clash, AC/DC, Chic, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder and hundreds more made records at Electric Lady Studios, which speaks to one of Jimi’s lasting achievements in an industry that has radically changed over the course of the last half century.  “My brother had a musical vision,” Janie Hendrix reflects. “With this project, it felt appropriate to shed light not only on his own music, but also on his lasting contribution of Electric Lady Studios. He was driven internally to build a home base where he could record everything he felt. While his life was cut short, so many other talented artists continue to express themselves within those magical walls on 52 West 8th Street.”   Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision 5LP tracklist:    DISC ONE   SIDE ONE 1) Ezy Ryder [Alternate Mix]* 6/18/70                                      2) Valleys Of Neptune [Alternate Version]*  6/15/70                                                  3) Straight Ahead [Takes 1 & 2]* 6/17/70  4) Astro Man [Takes 9 & 10]* 6/24/70                                             5) Drifting [Takes 1 & 2]* 6/25/70                                                 6) Night Bird Flying [Take 25]* 6/16/70                                                     SIDE TWO 1) Earth Blues [Alternate Mix]*  6/26/70                                                               2) Drifter’s Escape [Takes 1 & 2]* 6/17/70   3) Astro Man [Take 14]* 6/24/70                                                 4) Further Up The Road* 6/24/70                                DISC TWO   SIDE ONE 1) Dolly Dagger [Takes 17 & 18]* 7/1/70                                                2) Lover Man  7/20/70                                                               3) Freedom [Take 4]* 6/25/70                                                     4) Angel [Take 7]* 7/23/70                                                          5) Beginnings [Take 5]*                                                              SIDE TWO 1) The Long Medley [Astro Man / Beginnings / Hey Baby (New Rising Sun) / Midnight Lightning (Keep On Groovin’) / Freedom]* 6/24/70                                                          DISC THREE   SIDE ONE 1) Freedom [Alternate Version]* 7/19/70   2) Valleys Of Neptune [Demo]*   6/70                                                    3) Tune X*/Just Came In [Take 6]* 7/22/70   4) Drifting [Alternate Version]*  8/20/70  5) Messing Around  [Take 17]* 6/16/70     SIDE TWO  1) Tune X* / Just Came In (Take 8)* 7/22/70    2) Dolly Dagger [Alternate Version]* 7/19/70                                                              3) Come Down Hard On Me [take 15]* 7/15/70  4) Heaven Has No Sorrow [Demo]* 6/70                                                   DISC FOUR   SIDE ONE   1) Midnight Lightning* / Beginnings* 7/1/70                                                                2) Dolly Dagger [Mix 2]* 8/20/70   3) Belly Button Window [Take 1]* 7/23/70     SIDE TWO   1) Night Bird Flying [Alternate Version]* 8/20/70  2) Freedom [Alternate Version]* 8/20/70   3) Straight Ahead [Alternate Mix]* 8/20/70  4) In From The Storm [Alternate Mix]* 8/24/70      DISC FIVE   SIDE ONE  1) Bolero* / Hey Baby (New Rising Sun) [Alternate Mix]* 8/22/70  2) Drifter’s Escape [Alternate Mix]* 8/22/70                                                          SIDE TWO  1) Bleeding Heart [Alternate Mix]* 8/22/70                                2) Drifting [Alternate Version]* 11/20/70                                                         3) Astro Man [Alternate Version]* 8/22/70                                       4) Room Full Of Mirrors [Alternate Version]* 10/20/70                                           5) Angel [Alternate Version]* 10/19/70                         *Previously unreleased     Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision 3CD tracklist:   DISC ONE 1) Ezy Ryder [Alternate Mix]* 6/18/70                                      2) Valleys Of Neptune [Alternate Version]*  6/15/70          3) Straight Ahead [Takes 1 & 2]* 6/17/70  4) Drifter’s Escape [Takes 1 & 2]* 6/17/70            5) Astro Man [Takes 9 & 10]* 6/24/70                                             6) Astro Man [Take 14]* 6/24/70 7) Drifting [Takes 1 & 2]* 6/25/70 8) Night Bird Flying [Take 25]* 6/16/70 9) Farther Up The Road* 6/24/70 10) The Long Medley [Astro Man / Beginnings / Hey Baby (New Rising Sun) / Midnight Lightning (Keep On Groovin’) / Freedom]* 6/24/70                                                       DISC TWO 1) Earth Blues [Alternate Mix]* 6/26/70 2) Dolly Dagger [Takes 17 & 18]* 7/1/70 3) Angel [Take 7]* 7/23/70 4) Beginnings [Take 5]* 7/1/70 5) Lover Man 7/20/70 6) Tune X* / Just Came In [Take 6]* 7/22/70 7) Heaven Has No Sorry [Demo]* 6/26/70 8) Freedom [Take 4]* 6/25/70 9) Valleys Of Neptune [Demo]* 6/26/70 10) Come Down Hard On Me [Take 15]* 7/15/70 11) Dolly Dagger [Alternate Version]* 7/19/70 12) Messing Around [Take 17]* 6/16/70 13) Tune X* / Just Came In [Take 8]* 7/22/70 14) Drifting [Alternate Version]* 8/20/70 15) Freedom [Alternate Version]* 7/19/70 16) Belly Button Window [Take 1]* 7/23/70   DISC THREE 1) Dolly Dagger [Mix 2]* 8/20/70 2) Night Bird Flying [Alternate Version]* 8/20/70 3) Freedom [Alternate Version]* 8/20/70 4) Midnight Lightning* / Beginnings* 7/1/70 5) Straight Ahead [Alternate Mix]* 8/20/70 6) In From The Storm [Alternate Mix]* 8/24/70 7) Bolero* / Hey Baby (New Rising Sun) [Alternate Mix]* 8/22/70 8) Drifter’s Escape [Alternate Mix]* 8/22/70 9) Astro Man [Alternate Version]* 8/22/70 10) Bleeding Heart [Alternate Mix]* 8/22/70 11) Drifting [Alternate Version]* 11/20/70 12) Room Full Of Mirrors [Alternate Version]* 10/19/70 13) Angel [Alternate Version]* 10/19/70   *Previously unreleased                              First Rays of the New Rising Sun + Bonus Tracks 5.1 Mixes (contained on Blu-ray with both vinyl and CD versions of package)   1) Freedom 2) Izabella 3) Night Bird Flying 4) Angel 5) Room Full of Mirrors 6) Dolly Dagger 7) Ezy Ryder 8) Drifting  9) Beginnings 10) Stepping Stone 11) My Friend 12) Straight Ahead 13) Hey Baby (New Rising Sun) 14) Earth Blues 15) Astro Man 16) In From the Storm 17) Belly Button Window 18) Pali Gap (from Rainbow Bridge album) 19) Lover Man (from Jimi Hendrix Experience box set) 20) Valleys of Neptune (from Valleys of Neptune album)   All 20 tracks available in 5.1 surround sound audio for first time ever     About Legacy Recordings: Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, is home to the world's foremost library of historically significant commercial recordings, a peerless collection of works by the most important musical artists of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.  Across a variety of platforms, the label offers contemporary music fans access to thousands of meticulously restored archival titles representing virtually every musical genre.   About Experience Hendrix L.L.C.: Founded by James 'Al' Hendrix, Jimi's father, in 1995, Experience Hendrix, has been managed since its inception by the family members handpicked by Al during his tenure as Chairman. It is the official family company charged with managing the music, name, image and likeness of Jimi Hendrix. As a part of their daily operations, Experience Hendrix and Authentic Hendrix oversee Jimi's timeless legacy on a worldwide basis.

 

Jimi Hendrix - Hear My Train A Comin' offers revealing look at the legendary guitarist

Jimi Hendrix performing at the Royal Albert Hall, London, England (February 18, 1969). Photo Credit: Graham F. Page / EMP Museum / Authentic Hendrix, LLC

No guitarist in the history of rock has been as influential and groundbreaking as the late Jimi Hendrix. From his contemporaries (The Beatles, Ten Years After) to his musical descendants (Lenny Kravitz, Gary Clark Jr.), Hendrix' reach continues to touch new audiences.
Now, more than four decades after his death at the age of 27, the pioneering musician's short but prolific life is celebrated via Jimi Hendrix - Hear My Train A Comin', a two-hour documentary set to premiere on PBS Tuesday, Nov. 5 as part of THIRTEEN's American Masters series. 
Directed by two-time Grammy-winning filmmaker Bob Smeaton, the documentary provides a comprehensive look at his early interest in playing guitar while growing up in Seattle (his father reportedly purchased his first guitar for $5), to his service in the U.S. Army, his early success as a hired sideman for the likes of Little Richard and the Isley Brothers (we hear part of a 1964 recording featuring him performing a guitar solo on the group's "Testify") before going on to score solo success following his move to London in 1966.
Hendrix' story is brought fully to life with a fast-moving mix of archive and modern-day interviews as well as great concert footage and even home movies that were taken by Hendrix and drummer Mitch Mitchell. Long-time fans of Hendrix as well as new and casual followers of one of the 20th century's most gifted artists will all find plenty to keep watching throughout the compelling special. New interviews with rock notables such as Paul McCartney and Steve Winwood as well as those with a trio of women who were closest to him (Linda Keith, Faye Pridgon, Colette Mimram) and several music journalists all add texture to a television special that might otherwise have been overshadowed by Hendrix' arresting on-stage appearances (including previously-unseen footage of Hendrix at the 1968 Miami Pop Festival). 

American Masters: Jimi Hendrix - Hear My Train A Comin' premieres nationally from 9-11 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013. Check your local listings or pbs.org/americanmasters to see when the documentary is being aired on your local PBS station.

Jimi Hendrix performing at the Isle Of Wight Festival of Music, Isle Of Wight, UK, August 30, 1970. Photo credit: Chris Walter / © Authentic Hendrix, LLC

Set for release on the same day (Nov. 5, 2013) as Jimi Hendrix - Hear My Train A Comin' is the 11-track audio collection Miami Pop Festival, an important recording that captured the Jimi Hendrix Experience at the first major rock festival staged on the East Coast, the May 1968 Miami Pop Festival. Opening with a blistering version of "Hey Joe" (that starts out unhurried but tactfully builds to a roar). Other classics delivered with a superb mix of rock attack and virtuoso skill include "Foxey Lady" and blazing "Fire." By the time Hendrix closed with a mighty version of "Purple Haze," it was clear the future of rock would never be the same. This concert marked the first time that the instrumental "Tax Free" and freewheeling "Hear My Train A Comin'" were ever performed live. Information: www.JimiHendrix.com. 

Sights and Sounds: Vintage Trouble, Gov't Mule, John Oates

Not a bad day when I can help spread the news about Vintage Trouble, Gov't Mule, John Oates and more!

VINTAGE TROUBLE IS 2013 ESPY AWARDS' HOUSE BAND


OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR "PELVIS PUSHER" NOW ONLINE

BAND WRAPS UP EUROPEAN WHO TOUR WITH THE ROLLING STONES & GLASTONBURY

Vintage Trouble

Fresh off a massive worldwide tour with The Who and a buzz worthy performance at Glastonbury, Vintage Trouble is thrilled to be the 2013 ESPY Awards' house band. The 2013 ESPY awards, which recognize excellence in both individual and team sporting achievement, will air tomorrow night on ESPN - July 17 - at 9 p.m. ET.



Check out Vintage Trouble's explosive new video for "Pelvis Pusher," a song lauded and praised by critics and fans alike, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMCutWGTHSU

Watch the band perform the song live on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpklnkARw7s


Vintage Trouble opened for The Rolling Stones in London's Hyde Park last week and wowed audiences with a live performance that has many, including The Wall Street Journal raving "what separates VT from a copycat soul revue is its muscle ... Ty Taylor's exhortations and yowls [are] reminiscent of the kind Brown, Joe Tex and Wilson Pickett once unleashed."

The band will come back to the states in early August for a US headlining tour. Check out the band's Web site to see future tour dates.

Watch the band's performance at Rock Werchter Festival to get a sense of their electric live show:
http://www.skynet.be/nl/festivals/rock-werchter-2013/concert-videos/21529



Ty Taylor will join an all-star lineup of special guest vocalists on Gov't Mule's upcoming record, Shout!, to be released September 24. The album's bonus disc will feature Taylor along with Steve Winwood, Elvis Costello, Dr. John, Ben Harper, Toots Hibbert, Glenn Hughes, Jim James, Myles Kennedy, Dave Matthews and Grace Potter, all reinterpreting The Mule's new songs.


Stay tuned for more exciting news.

Visit www.vintagetrouble.com for tour dates, videos and more.

www.facebook.com/vintagetrouble

https://twitter.com/vintagetrouble

www.youtube.com/vintagetrouble



GOV'T MUSE REVEALS GUEST ARTISTS ON DOUBLE ALBUM 'SHOUT!'

Album to be released on September 24 on Blue Note Records

Vocal interpretations of Gov't Mule's new songs by:

Gov't Mule

Elvis Costello, DR. John, Ben Harper, Toots Hibbert, GLENN HUGHES, Jim James, Myles Kennedy, Dave Matthews, Grace Potter, Vintage Trouble’s TY TAYLOR AND Steve Winwood FEATURED ON BONUS DISC


Shout! – Gov’t Mule’s first studio album in four years – will feature 11 tracks recorded by the band in Los Angeles, CA and Stamford, CT plus a bonus disc featuring an all-star lineup of vocalists interpreting The Mule’s new songs. Special guests Elvis Costello, Dr. John, Ben Harper, Toots Hibbert, Glenn Hughes, Jim James, Myles Kennedy, Dave Matthews, Grace Potter, Ty Taylor and Steve Winwood appear on Disc 2 of Shout! The double album – which marks Gov’t Mule’s Blue Note Records debut – will be released on September 24. Shout! is available for pre-order now at mule.net and Amazon.



“No one’s done this before, which is exciting,” says singer-guitarist Warren Haynes, who co-founded Gov’t Mule with drummer Matt Abts. The band also features keyboardist-guitarist Danny Louis and bassist Jorgen Carlsson. “But it’s even more exciting actually listening to these artists sing our songs. Their performances bring new ideas, energy and sometimes even different meanings to every number.”


The concept for the two-disc collection emerged organically as the band members considered how to best approach the songs. Haynes wasn’t even certain “Funny Little Tragedy” belonged on a Gov’t Mule album. “Not only is it different from anything Gov’t Mule’s ever done, it kind of reminded me of The Attractions or The Clash.” With that in mind, he asked Elvis Costello for guidance on what kind of vocal mic he should use to get the late ‘70s-early ‘80s garage rock sound he was after.


“Elvis sent me a very elaborate response explaining how he recorded this vocal and how he recorded that vocal, going all the way back to My Aim is True,” recalls Warren. “I was really happy to get his response and I wound up using the Shure SM58, which is about a $100 microphone, and it turned out great. That was the first seed that was planted for Shout! because from that point forward I started thinking it would be cool to hear Elvis sing this tune.”

Haynes and Danny Louis had written “Scared To Live” as a Beatles-esque ballad, but Gordie Johnson, who co-produced four of the tracks with Haynes, suggested they approach it as a reggae song. They even added a new section towards the end of the track, which on playback seemed very reminiscent of Toots and the Maytals.


Warren considered asking Toots, who is a friend of his, to sing a part on the song, then was struck by the notion that tilted The Mule towards a two-disc set: What if he went through the new songs and made a list of artists he’d like to hear singing each song? After receiving a resounding “yes” from his band mates, he reached out to the singers, to see if they connected to the material and would consider participating. Haynes went into a New York studio with several of the vocalists and others contributed from afar.


“We’ve always taken a nontraditional approach to everything we’ve done, and it works for us,” says Haynes. “One of things we’re very proud of about this record is that all the songs stand up for themselves and have their own personality. Hopefully, hearing another singer interpret them helps shine even more of a light on the songs and somewhere in that picture people get a glimpse of what Gov’t Mule does.”

Gov’t Mule has released nine critically acclaimed studio albums and an assortment of DVDs and live albums. The band has sold more than three million song downloads through their site MuleTracks and is the consummate live act, with sold-out coast-to-coast tours. Their “Prepare To Shout Tour” will take them to numerous festivals this summer. (See below for itinerary.)
In addition, Haynes will be involved with two other tours. The Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration Featuring Warren Haynes is a groundbreaking orchestral adventure – curated by the Garcia family and Haynes – that will feature Warren performing the musical icon’s storied original compositions as well as classic interpretations of timeless standards that were hallmarks of Garcia and the Grateful Dead's shows. The outing will pair Haynes with some of the country’s most respected symphonies and a band assembled especially for the tour. In August and September, Haynes will be touring with the Allman Brothers Band, which he has been a member of since 1989.


SHOUT! Track Listing


Disc 1: All songs performed by Gov’t Mule


1. World Boss

2. No Reward

3. Whisper In Your Soul

4. Captured

5. Scared To Live

6. Stoop So Low

7. Forsaken Savior

8. Done Got Wise

9. When The World Gets Small

10. Funny Little Tragedy

11. Bring On The Music



Disc 2:

1. World Boss w/ Ben Harper

2. Funny Little Tragedy w/ Elvis Costello

3. Stoop So Low w/ Dr. John

4. Captured w/ Jim James

5. Whisper In Your Soul w/ Grace Potter

6. Scared To Live w/ Toots Hibbert

7. No Reward w/ Glenn Hughes

8. Bring On The Music w/ Ty Taylor

9. Forsaken Savior w/ Dave Matthews

10. Done Got Wise w/ Myles Kennedy

11. When The World Gets Small w/ Steve Winwood



Gov’t Mule Tour Dates


7/27 Bridgeport, CT Gathering of the Vibes

8/17 Scranton, PA Peach Festival

9/5 Arrington, VA Interlocken Festival (w/ Gov’t Mule AND The Warren Haynes Band in one day)

9/13 Fredericton, NB Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival

9/15 Burlington, VT Grand Point North


Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration Featuring Warren Haynes


7/30 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre w/Colorado Symphony
Conductor: Scott O'Neill

8/01 San Francisco, CA Davies Symphony Hall w/San Francisco Symphony
Conductor: Sarah Hicks



8/02 San Francisco, CA Davies Symphony Hall w/San Francisco Symphony
Conductor: Sarah Hicks



8/04 Los Angeles, CA The Greek Theatre w/55-piece Orchestra
Conductor: Sean O'Laughlin

John Oates - Good Road To Follow project announced



Hi Folks-

It was great to meet so many of you out at Bonnaroo. What an awesome time. Hope you caught the Rock & Soul Superjam I hosted with Jim James. It was off the hook! We had a blast!

I wanted to reach out to you to let you know about my new project called Good Road To Follow (GRTF) which I just launched. I'll be releasing a single a month for a year, taking you on a multi-genre musical journey. You can sign-up to be a VIP (Very Important Passenger) to subscribe to the project and receive a limited edition t-shirt, new single each month, and all sorts of fun items from me. Who doesn't need a guitar shaped bottle opener?

Come check out the new Web site where we have videos about the project, you can hear the new song each month, and browse the store.


I want to thank all you music lovers who have taken the Good Road To Follow with me. Keep checking the web site and the Facebook page for new free downloads and all kinds of cool stuff that is coming...Don't forget the next single will be released on July 16. It's a song I wrote and recorded with Vince Gill called: "Don't Cross Me Wrong." Here is a video series about the project, for you: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhToiSQI0xTT3sJlrgPStHgHA73WtXxr-



Talk to you soon!

John Oates