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,
Last Clean Shirt
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some people said it was gin
But I know the name of the motherfucker
That did my brother in
They put the last clean shirt on my brother, Bill
They put the last clean shirt on my brother, Bill
Of an old abandoned Ford
When I touched the hand on my brother Bill
He was stiff as a running board
They put the last clean shirt on my brother, Bill
They put the last clean shirt on my brother, Bill
Preacher said he's gone
He's gone to a better world
He's through with his last fight, man
He's done loving his last girl
They put the last clean shirt on my brother, Bill
They put the last clean shirt on my brother, Bill
The song "Last Clean Shirt" by Gov't Mule tells the story of a man who has lost his brother and is seeking justice for his death. The lyrics describe the singer's search for the person responsible for his brother's death, with some people saying it was due to drugs like cocaine or gin. However, the singer knows the true culprit and is seeking vengeance. The song then describes the discovery of the brother's body in an abandoned car and the funeral, with the preacher saying that the brother has gone to a better world.
Overall, the song captures the pain and anger felt by those who have lost loved ones to violence, and the desire for justice and closure in the face of such tragedies. The use of specific details, such as the reference to the last clean shirt, adds a sense of realism and poignancy to the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Some people said it was cocaine
There were rumors that my brother's death was caused by cocaine.
Some people said it was gin
Others speculated that it could have been alcohol.
But I know the name of the motherfucker
I know who's responsible for my brother's death.
That did my brother in
The person I'm referring to caused my brother's demise.
They put the last clean shirt on my brother, Bill
My brother was dressed in his final clean clothing.
They found him in the backseat
My brother's lifeless body was discovered in the rear seats of a deserted car.
Of an old abandoned Ford
The vehicle my brother was found in was a Ford that had been left behind.
When I touched the hand on my brother Bill
As I laid a hand on my deceased brother's hand,
He was stiff as a running board
I discovered that his body was very stiff.
Preacher said he's gone
The preacher announced that my brother had passed away.
He's gone to a better world
The preacher believes that my brother has gone to a better place after his death.
He's through with his last fight, man
My brother had finished his final battle and will no longer struggle.
He's done loving his last girl
The last woman my brother loved will no longer enjoy his affection.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Charles Otis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@frankwall5177
These guys are so awesome. Seen them at Red Rocks a few times. Never disappoint. I am so glad they decided to make a blues album during the Covid lockdowns. Every cloud has a silver lining.
@davidnelson7498
Crank this one up loud! Damn this is good!
@easychenmr
Hats off to you guys for honouring the blues legacy 👌❤️
@rickybain5623
Great Music with real lyrics!,
@patrickduffy9515
I can’t wait till April 17. Mule live is the best!!
@alexandrpokotilo3218
Great as ever!
@duncanmcginnis
Oh my God! This record...
@dianacrow7509
Love...much Love! Be safe & well❣
@juhasaari3480
💪
@kirbyhumphrey3653
Aww hell yeah!