When the Allman Brothers Band reformed in 1989 in response to the popularity of the Dreams box set, Warren Haynes was added on lead guitar and Allen Woody on bass. The two shared a love for '60s power trios, like Cream, Jimi Hendrix Experience, and James Gang. With no bands making similar music in the 90s (except ZZ Top), Haynes, Woody, and former Dickey Betts drummer Matt Abts came together as Gov't Mule during Allman Brothers' breaks. (It is likely that Haynes and Abts first met during the recording of the Dickey Betts Band CD "Pattern Disruptive" in 1988.) They released their debut album the selftitled Gov't Mule in 1995. It was followed by Live from Roseland Ballroom.
When it became apparent that the Allman Brothers weren't planning on recording any new material, Haynes and Woody left to concentrate full-time on Gov't Mule in 1997. Dose, the studio follow up to their first studio effort, was released in early 1998. They were joined by members of the Allman Brothers, the Black Crowes, and Parliament/Funkadelic for their 1998 New Year's Eve concert. This was released in both a two and four CD version as Live ... With A Little Help From Our Friends. The band exposed some of their roots with covers of Neil Young, Free, Traffic, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Mongo Santamaria (via John Coltrane) and Frank Zappa.
In 2000, the band released Life Before Insanity to critical praise. Many thought that this would be Gov't Mule's breakthrough CD. However, Woody was found dead in New York City in August. Haynes and Abts considered breaking up the band but did stage a concert called "One for Woody" to raise money for his daughter's education. The Allman Brothers, the Black Crowes, members of the Grateful Dead, and other friends of Woody also performed at the concert.
At both the "One for Woody" performance and other shows, Haynes began appearing with the Allman Brothers Band again. With Dickey Betts' departure from the Allmans, Warren came back full time to the band at the beginning of 2001 and has continued splitting his time between the Allmans and for a period Phil Lesh and Friends and the reformed Dead as well as Gov't Mule (performing acoustic gigs with just Haynes on guitar and Abts on percussion and as The New School of Gov't Mule with Widespread Panic's Dave Schools on bass and Chuck Leavell, formerly of the Allman Brothers and known for his current work with the Rolling Stones on keyboards).
The next year, Haynes and Abts began to record a tribute CD using Woody's favorite bass players. These sessions resulted in two CDs The Deep End, Volume 1 (2001) and The Deep End, Volume 2 (2002). A documentary of the recording sessions was also made by Phish bassist Mike Gordon called Rising Low. Bass contributions to the CDs came from Jack Bruce of Cream, John Entwisle of The Who, Mike Watt of Minutemen, Les Claypool of Primus, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Chris Squire of Yes among others.
When it came to touring in support of the Deep End CDs, Haynes and Abts used a revolving door of keyboardists and bassists. Keyboardists included Chuck Leavell, Rob Barraco of Phil Lesh and Friends and Zen Tricksters, Phish's Page McConnell and Danny Louis. Bassists included among others, Dave Schools, Oteil Burbridge of the Allman Brothers, Les Claypool, Victor Wooten of the Flecktones, George Porter Jr. of The Meters, Greg Rzab formerly of The Black Crowes and the Buddy Guy Band and Andy Hess, also formerly of The Black Crowes. Louis and Hess were eventually added as permanent members of Gov't Mule. They continue to tour extensively and have become staple acts at many music festivals including Bonnaroo, Wakarusa, Vegoose, and their annual New Orleans Jazzfest night show (where they filmed and recorded the last show of the Deepest End tours, with 17 guest musicians in a 6 hour show) wich was released on CD/DVD as The Deepest End, Live in Concert.
The first CD with Louis and Hess Deja Voodoo was released in September 2004. Additional material from those sessions was released in 2005 as and EP entitled Mo' Voodoo.
The new lineup's second release, titled High and Mighty, was released on August 22, 2006.
A third, Mighty High, was released in 2007 it features reggae and dub versions of classic Mule covers and originals with special guest appearances by Willi Williams, Michael Franti and Toots Hibbert,
Broke Down On The Brazos
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All my friends are gone
I ain’t had the blues yet today but
I can feel them coming on
Everywhere I go trouble’s all I find
No matter what I do I feel like I’m losing my mind
Broke down on the Brazos, Broke down on the Brazos, Broke down on the Brazos
Living in a dream
Chasing a sound
Told everybody I believe I’m Texas-bound
Here I am
Well I guess its no surprise
Up to my knees in water
Up to my ears in dragonflies
Broke down on the Brazos, Broke down on the Brazos
About to lose my mind
About to lose my mind
Broke down on the Brazos, Broke down on the Brazos, Broke down on the Brazos
About to lose my mind
About to lose my mind
The song "Broke Down On The Brazos" by Gov't Mule is a blues-rock ballad that explores the singer's sense of isolation and frustration in the face of life's difficulties. The opening lines describe the singer's loneliness and sense of alienation, as they find themselves "surrounded by strangers" and lament the absence of their friends. The singer acknowledges that they have yet to feel the full weight of their depression but can sense it coming on. Trouble and frustration seem to follow the singer wherever they go, and they feel like they are "losing their mind" no matter how hard they try to stay afloat.
The refrain of the song, "Broke down on the Brazos," serves as a metaphor for the singer's current state of being. The Brazos River is a real-life location in Texas, but in this context, it represents the singer's mental and emotional breakdown. The singer is at a low point, feeling as though they have hit rock bottom and are stuck in a state of paralysis. Despite their dreams of success and escape, the singer finds themselves mired in difficulty with no way out.
Overall, the song speaks to the human experience of struggle and adversity, and the sense of hopelessness that can come with it. The lyrics are raw and honest, capturing the feeling of being trapped in a difficult situation and not knowing how to break free.
Line by Line Meaning
Surrounded by strangers
I am in a place where I do not know anyone and feel alone.
All my friends are gone
The people I used to know and connect with are no longer around.
I ain’t had the blues yet today but
I haven't been feeling down today, but
I can feel them coming on
I sense that negative emotions are about to surface.
Everywhere I go trouble’s all I find
No matter where I look, I encounter problems and difficulties.
No matter what I do I feel like I’m losing my mind
No matter how hard I try, I feel like I am losing control of my thoughts.
Broke down on the Brazos, Broke down on the Brazos, Broke down on the Brazos
I have ended up stranded and stuck in a difficult situation on the Brazos River.
Living in a dream
I feel like I am living in an imaginary world detached from reality.
Chasing a sound
I am pursuing something that seems elusive and out of reach.
Told everybody I believe I’m Texas-bound
I have planned and announced my move to Texas.
Here I am
I am present in this place, facing my current circumstances.
Well I guess its no surprise
It is not unexpected that I have ended up in this difficult situation.
Up to my knees in water
I am standing in water that is almost up to my knees.
Up to my ears in dragonflies
There are so many dragonflies buzzing around me that they almost seem to be suffocating me.
About to lose my mind
I feel like I am reaching my breaking point and will soon become overwhelmed.
Contributed by Ava N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Geoffrey Marshall
one of the sickest bass grooves I ever heard...
Crypthulu
Awe yeah….and the hook at the end of the riff too. This song straight jams.
SMELLTHEBULL
I discovered this band by accident last night while reading the wiki page on Billy Gibbons and boy am I glad I did. I've downloaded three albums already. What an amazing band. A lot of people seem to comment on what a brilliant guitarist Haynes is, and of that there is no doubt, but he is also very, very, VERY good singer. sounds a bit like Dusty Hill at times to.
stealyourface73
I love the way they split the guitar channels. [left] Billy Gibbons [right] Warren Haynes Excellent album!!!
BB
From the liner notes: Badass Guitar (Right Side) Billy Gibbons
gideon saunders
the blues can be very basic but this is is a very exciting piece of musical genius, nice unusual riff then a pair of solos that build on that cool angular groove, tasteful god yes and billy is so stylish. do more please.
Geoffrey Marshall
The bassline on this song is BLOWING UP MY SPEAKERS! WOOT!
TresHombreszz
THE finest blues rock guitarists out there, Billy Gibbons and Warren Haynes on this fantastic track!!!
John Lowe
Just found Gov't Mule.......amazing band.
Ken Hurley
I remember the day i did.. blew my mind.