Is Warren Haynes the hardest-working man in rock music? He certainly makes a strong case. As one of the foremost torchbearers of the Allman Brothers legacy, his performances, whether with Gov’t Mule, his solo band, or any number of side projects, are consistently infused with that same soulful, genre-blending spirit. Southern rock, blues, jam band, hard rock, soul, jazz, fusion… it’s all there.
For this tour, Haynes is backed by a phenomenal group of musicians: Terrence Higgins on drums, Kevin Scott on bass, Matt Slocum on keyboards, and acclaimed saxophonist Greg Osby. Osby, in particular, brought a refreshing new color to the sound. Hearing Allman Brothers classics enriched by saxophone lines was an unexpected and welcome twist. The real magic happened when Osby and Haynes played off one another, mirroring the kind of musical dialogue Haynes once shared with fellow guitarists: a thoughtful, fiery and deeply musical interplay.
The band’s extended jams were anything but indulgent noodling. These were real-time compositions, living and breathing explorations that honored the improvisational heart of this music, always in motion, equal parts structure and freedom.
This ensemble gave Haynes the space to lean more heavily into his jazz instincts than usual, as shown by a bold and spirited rendition of John Coltrane’s "Blue Train." Jazz has always lingered at the edges of Haynes’ music, from the Allmans to Mule, but here it stepped closer to center stage. Still, the blues remained the emotional core, both in his voice and through every bend of his guitar strings.
The set pulled from across his storied career: Allman Brothers staples, Gov’t Mule classics, and solo cuts including material from his recent album Million Voices Whisper, as well as this reviewer’s personal favorite, Man in Motion.
A fantastic evening of guitar-driven American music, blues, jazz, soul, and rock... played with heart, mastery, and soul.
