Gov't Mule - "Mighty High" (ATO)

Long-time fan of Gov't Mule will not be surprised by this collection of reggae-spiced tunes, because reggae jams have long been a part of their repertoire. The best thing about Mighty High is that you need not be a Mule fan to enjoy the groove.

This was obviously a labor of love for Warren Haynes & the Mule. The playing throughout is spirited, the production is pristine, and the song selections are tasteful. Even the title of the new disc (they had an earlier album called High & Mighty) is inspired. Starting with the powerful Al Green reformation "I'm A Ram", the disc flows easily between reggae-d Mule covers of The Rolling Stones ("Play With Fire"), The Band ("The Shape I'm In") and re-worked Mule originals ("Unblow Your Horn") to special guest vocalists like Toots Hibbert and Willi Williams.

Plus... the cd has an $11.98 list price. It was obviously not meant to be a full-blown new Gov't Mule project, but Mighty High still sounds mighty good, and just may be one of the best sonic excursions you've heard all year.

Written by Dan Reed

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