Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Since releasing their self-titled debut album in 1995, Gov't Mule have remained close to their trademark bluesy hard rock roots. While they cover classic blues tunes regularly, they apply that musical signature. Heavy Load Blues marks the first time the quartet have recorded an album devoted strictly to blues. They cut it in one small room in a New England studio standing very close to one another -- without headphones -- using small vintage amplifiers. The band played stripped-down blues live from the studio floor; the few overdubs were added later. The 13-song standard version of the set offers six excellent Warren Haynes originals alongside covers by masters such as Ann Peebles, Howlin' Wolf, Elmore James, Bobby "Blue" Bland, and others. Haynes co-produced the set with John Paterno.
Gov't Mule's approach is exemplified in their reading of Junior Wells' "Snatch It Back and Hold It"; they inserted a spontaneous jam called "Hold It Back" into the middle without rehearsing it (Matt Abts' drumming is stellar). Leroy Carr's "Blues Before Sunrise" walks a line between the composer's strolling piano version (Danny Louis shines), John Lee Hooker's boogie read, and Muddy Waters' house-rocking Chicago blues take. Bland's "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City" is slow, steamy, and downhearted, with glorious bass work from Jorgen Carlson and a swelling B-3. Haynes' singing -- buoyed by his biting guitar through the turnarounds -- has never sounded better. Tom Waits' "Make It Rain" is sinister, broken, and lost. The distorted guitar and basslines edge into a filthy Wurlitzer, then swirl around the lyric with venomous intent. Gov't Mule have performed Ann Peebles' "I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home" live before, but not like this. It delivers funky organ and bass work as Haynes adds delightfully rhythmic phrasing in his leads. The guitarist's "If Heartaches Were Nickels" has been recorded by Joe Bonamassa, Charles Wilson, and Dudley Taft, but this smoldering version is unparalleled due to Haynes' masterful playing and deeply emotional vocal delivery. Howlin' Wolf's "I Asked for Water (She Gave Me Gasoline)" is raucous, angry, and deep, deep blue; throughout it, Gov't Mule channel Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsies with great success. The title track is a slow, unaccompanied resonant acoustic blues done in vintage Delta style, while "Black Horizon" recalls Mississippi Fred McDowell's slide approach to gospel blues, complete with a testifying backing chorus. Heavy Load Blues is raw, heavy, and immediate, the sound of a band unfettered while pursuing a deep blue groove that never quits.
© Thom Jurek /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $10.83/month
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Joe Josea, Composer - ELMORE JAMES, Composer - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Hook Herrera, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Jenny Hill, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Pam Fleming, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Buford O’Sullivan, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer - Daniel Louis Schliftman, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Rick Huckaby, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ray Sisk, ComposerLyricist - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Amos Wells Blakemore Jr., ComposerLyricist - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer - Danny Louis Schliftman, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Price, ComposerLyricist - Dan Walsh, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Jerry Leiber, ComposerLyricist - Mike Stoller, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Charles Otis, ComposerLyricist - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Waits, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Kathleen Brennan, ComposerLyricist - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Timothy Matthews, ComposerLyricist - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer - Alan Jackson, Jr, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Chester Arthur Burnett, ComposerLyricist - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Taupin, ComposerLyricist - Elton John, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - McKinley Morganfield, ComposerLyricist - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Hook Herrera, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Kim Maiden Simmonds, ComposerLyricist - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - WILLIE DIXON, ComposerLyricist - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Jenny Hill, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Pam Fleming, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Buford O’Sullivan, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, Remixer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Mertis John, ComposerLyricist - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - William Edward John, ComposerLyricist - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Warren Haynes, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Recording Producer, AssociatedPerformer - Greg Calbi, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sonny Boy Williamson, ComposerLyricist - Gov't Mule, MainArtist - Steve Fallone, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Paterno, Producer, Mixer, Recording Engineer, Recording Producer, StudioPersonnel - Jorgen Carlsson, Bass Guitar, Remixer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Matt Abts, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Louis, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Hook Herrera, Harmonica, AssociatedPerformer - Evan Bakke, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Stef Scamardo, Producer, Executive Producer
℗ 2021 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Album review
Since releasing their self-titled debut album in 1995, Gov't Mule have remained close to their trademark bluesy hard rock roots. While they cover classic blues tunes regularly, they apply that musical signature. Heavy Load Blues marks the first time the quartet have recorded an album devoted strictly to blues. They cut it in one small room in a New England studio standing very close to one another -- without headphones -- using small vintage amplifiers. The band played stripped-down blues live from the studio floor; the few overdubs were added later. The 13-song standard version of the set offers six excellent Warren Haynes originals alongside covers by masters such as Ann Peebles, Howlin' Wolf, Elmore James, Bobby "Blue" Bland, and others. Haynes co-produced the set with John Paterno.
Gov't Mule's approach is exemplified in their reading of Junior Wells' "Snatch It Back and Hold It"; they inserted a spontaneous jam called "Hold It Back" into the middle without rehearsing it (Matt Abts' drumming is stellar). Leroy Carr's "Blues Before Sunrise" walks a line between the composer's strolling piano version (Danny Louis shines), John Lee Hooker's boogie read, and Muddy Waters' house-rocking Chicago blues take. Bland's "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City" is slow, steamy, and downhearted, with glorious bass work from Jorgen Carlson and a swelling B-3. Haynes' singing -- buoyed by his biting guitar through the turnarounds -- has never sounded better. Tom Waits' "Make It Rain" is sinister, broken, and lost. The distorted guitar and basslines edge into a filthy Wurlitzer, then swirl around the lyric with venomous intent. Gov't Mule have performed Ann Peebles' "I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home" live before, but not like this. It delivers funky organ and bass work as Haynes adds delightfully rhythmic phrasing in his leads. The guitarist's "If Heartaches Were Nickels" has been recorded by Joe Bonamassa, Charles Wilson, and Dudley Taft, but this smoldering version is unparalleled due to Haynes' masterful playing and deeply emotional vocal delivery. Howlin' Wolf's "I Asked for Water (She Gave Me Gasoline)" is raucous, angry, and deep, deep blue; throughout it, Gov't Mule channel Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsies with great success. The title track is a slow, unaccompanied resonant acoustic blues done in vintage Delta style, while "Black Horizon" recalls Mississippi Fred McDowell's slide approach to gospel blues, complete with a testifying backing chorus. Heavy Load Blues is raw, heavy, and immediate, the sound of a band unfettered while pursuing a deep blue groove that never quits.
© Thom Jurek /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 20 track(s)
- Total length: 02:00:28
- Main artists: Gov't Mule
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Fantasy
- Genre: Blues
© 2022 Gov’t Mule, Inc. ℗ 2022 Gov’t Mule, Inc.
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz?
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalog with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets, and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.