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,
Maybe I'm A Leo
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Couldn't see a thing but open skies
They've taken her away where is she now
Wish that she was here wish she'd hold my hand
Maybe she could laugh maybe understand
Why was I so cruel where is she now
Maybe I'm a Leo but I ain't a lion
I'm hurting oh so bad, I want her now
The song "Maybe I'm A Leo" by Gov't Mule is a reflection on a past relationship that ended badly. The first verse finds the singer feeling empty and alone after their lover has left, wondering where they are and wishing they were still there to comfort them. In the second verse, the singer expresses regret over their past behavior, realizing that they were cruel to the person they loved and wishing they could take back what they did. The chorus reveals a self-doubt within the singer, as they compare themselves to a Leo (a symbol of strength and courage) but acknowledge that they are not as fearless as they might seem.
The song's lyrics suggest an underlying theme of masculinity and vulnerability. The singer struggles with the idea of being strong and powerful, but also being emotionally honest and vulnerable. The line "Maybe I'm a Leo but I ain't a lion" speaks to this struggle, as the lion is often seen as a symbol of courage and strength, while the singer acknowledges that their emotional pain makes them feel anything but strong.
Overall, "Maybe I'm A Leo" is a poignant and introspective look at the complexities of romantic relationships and the difficulty of navigating emotional vulnerability.
Line by Line Meaning
Peeping round the door I got a big surprise
I spotted something unexpected when I looked around the door.
Couldn't see a thing but open skies
I wasn't able to see anything, just the endless sky.
They've taken her away where is she now
She's been taken away, and I don't know where she is.
Wish that she was here wish she'd hold my hand
I wish she were here with me, holding my hand.
Maybe she could laugh maybe understand
Perhaps she could laugh and even comprehend my situation.
Why was I so cruel where is she now
I'm wondering why was I so harsh, and I still don't know where she is.
Acting like a fool I had to make her cry
I behaved foolishly and ultimately made her cry.
Maybe I'm a Leo but I ain't a lion
Maybe I have some characteristics of a Leo, but I'm not a lion.
I'm hurting oh so bad, I want her now
I'm dealing with a lot of pain, and I desperately want her back right now.
Lyrics Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RITCHIE BLACKMORE, IAN GILLAN, ROGER GLOVER, JON LORD, IAN PAICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
LoopGoop22
Maybe....... this should be the new Deep Purple band. Wow!!!!! Warren always brings out the soul and the tone in any tune he does.
Simon Thomas
Love this song, and a great version here
Sergio Kodemo
Deep Mule...this is fantastic!. Old Roger always making everybody feel good, both with the band and audience. Loved this version of a Purple classic!
demolished1000
Govāt Purple
Alice Mulle
Perfect
G. Ward
@demolished1000 šš
deborah brady
Love it! Great videography on the tight shots of the guitars.
Corea Kixx
Matt Abts...gorgeous set of Slingerland Drums...the great jazz drum of all time.
Escalator Face
he always sounds amazing and yes great kit.
Zach Cundiff
This is no joke a great guitar performance