HIGH & MIGHTY - GOV’T MULE
As the title suggests, Gov’t Mule’s second album as a quartet captures the old-fashioned thrill of big guitar rock that is immediate, raw and real. While straight-ahead uptempo rockers like the title track deliver the familiar mix of mammoth riffs, passionate vocals and deep grooves, Warren Haynes uses the downtempo moments to launch new departures. He gets political on the wah-wah reggae of “Unring the Bell” and marries Hendrix licks to Dylan-esque lyrics on “Endless Parade,” one of Mule’s best songs to date. An open-hearted organ ballad, “Million Miles From Yesterday,” picks up where “Soulshine” left off, even adding a gospel choir. Once a Cream-influenced power trio, Gov’t Mule has matured into a Led Zep-like powerhouse. “High & Mighty” is a quantum leap for the band and will be remembered as its “Houses of the Holy.” Billboard
