You can imagine the mirth around the dinner table of some swank New York eatery as Dr John, Elvis Costello, Steve Winwood and their Gov’t Mule compadres sit down for a feast. Then one of the latter confuses suckling pig for squealing like a pig. It’s all in the enunciation l guess. Except this shows the pulling power of these boys from the byways and highways of Deep South USA and that they can convince some pillars of music to join them for a ride.
Shout is the umpteenth Gov’t Mule record and is a double record to boot. Disc One is the bona fide “Shout” record. Full of Southern roots with a splash of psychedelia and heavier beats. Solidly delivered by the vocals of Warren Haynes which are backed by the seasoned rhythm of Matt Abts and bass of Jorgen Carlsson. Gov’t Mule deliver some serious business with none of the goofball honky tonk that some less resilient protagonists of the style possess.
But it is Disc Two that demands closer listen. This is because Haynes hands over the mike and picks up the guitar to allow other singers to bend expectations a little and deliver the vocals for songs of Disc One. Having some behemoths to deliver their tunes does not leave the band nor lead vocalist starstruck. It is still an aggressive freewheeling rocket. But sung by new, if not unfamiliar voices, most songs are actually rendered and delivered in a better form. This is probably an unintended consequence of the project.
So Myles Kennedy quakes along to Done Got Wise, Elvis Costello relives his youth on Funny Little Tragedy, Glenn Hughes is in some unforgiving hallucinogenic state of vigour on No Reward, Toots Hibbert dubs up Scared To Live, Grace Potter turns Whisper In Your Soul into something wonderful. Elsewhere there is a distinct flavour of Neil Young and Cream riffs behind grizzly vocals singing about outrage and remorse. Just a soundtrack for a Saturday afternoon hunting gators on the swamp supping a litre of moonshine.
BY BRONIUS ZUMERIS
Best Track: Whisper In Your Soul
If You Like These You’ll Like This: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS, NEIL YOUNG, GRATEFUL DEAD
In A Word: Sincere
