Warren Haynes’ first solo report in almost a decade brings themes of optimism, uplift, and hope with Haynes on the prime of his inventive sport, performing with a stellar ensemble. Company embody the unbelievable Derek Vans and John Medeski, however the songs are the celebs of Million Voices Whisper.

Keyboardist John Medeski and also you share a melodic chemistry on the brand new album.
We’ve identified one another for many years. The primary time I sat in with Medeski, Martin & Wooden was about 30 years in the past, however for the final 4 or 5 years we’ve been taking part in collectively rather a lot, particularly on The Final Waltz excursions. We spent a whole lot of time on the bus, speaking about issues we may do.

I used to be actually excited that John was capable of be part of this report. His persona may be very a lot felt, as is everybody’s. This was the primary time the 4 of us – myself, Kevin Scott, Terrence Higgins, and John – performed collectively. I’d performed with Terrence, I’d performed with Kevin, and I’d performed with John, and all of us knew it was going to be cool, however as soon as we received into the studio, it exceeded our expectations. The chemistry rapidly become this cool band the place all people’s persona was ever-present, however right here was additionally a gaggle persona. That’s what you attempt and hope for, and was the case from the start. I’m very blissful about that.

Having Derek Vans weave out and in is the icing on the cake.
I used to be actually glad that Derek was capable of be part of it, as nicely.

Why one other solo report?
It’s been over 9 years since my final solo report, so I believe it was overdue. Normally, the impetus for a solo report for me is that if I’m writing a bunch of songs that appear to suit collectively however don’t look like Gov’t Mule songs. Most of those songs are new inside the final two or three years, however a pair return to the Covid lockdown, in order that’s when the method began. I used to be writing a lot throughout that point, however most of these turned out to be Gov’t Mule songs. A pair that seem right here, like “From Right here On Out” and “Day of Reckoning,” go that far again. The remainder of the stuff is just about model new.

How did the report come collectively thematically?
It modified form as we had been making it as a result of I went in considering a lot of the songs had been taking up a Muscle Shoals vibe that was someplace between Man in Movement and Ashes & Mud. The extra I continued writing, the extra the soul facet appeared to prevail, and it wound up getting into that course, which was cool. There’s a jazz and funk affect, however I like the truth that all of the songs are completely different however really feel linked.

It appears to have come collectively organically fairly than you imposing an idea.
I went in with some kind of imaginative and prescient of the way it was going to sound. Some songs matched that imaginative and prescient, and a few modified drastically – rightly so. I really like opening the music to wherever it’s going to go within the studio. Particularly when working with fantastic musicians, it’s at all times greatest to see all people’s interpretation of one thing earlier than you lay out your individual imaginative and prescient of it. In a whole lot of circumstances, being open to the place the songs went induced them to alter complexion somewhat bit. We had been taking it the place the second led.

And lyrically?
Many of the songs are tied collectively, lyrically, by this overview of pursuing the long run via a lens of positivity. It’s embracing the issues in life which can be most essential.

Have you ever picked up any new guitars?
I received this new Paul Reed Smith prototype I’ve been taking part in for a few week. It’s very attention-grabbing. I’m additionally engaged on a couple of prototypes with Gibson; we’re engaged on a signature Les Paul with P-90 pickups and a signature Firebird with three P-90s. Each are somewhat completely different for me. I’m extra accustomed to humbuckers, however I really like the way in which P-90s sound, so I’m additionally pursuing that somewhat extra as of late.

What’s taking place subsequent at your day job?
2025 is Gov’t Mule’s thirtieth anniversary. We’ll be taking part in a whole lot of cool stuff on stage and releasing recordings from the vault. We’ve been taking a look at all this unreleased studio and stay stuff. Subsequent yr goes to be actually thrilling.

This text initially appeared in VG’s December 2024 situation. All copyrights are by the creator and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.