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,
Shine On You Crazy Diamond
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How near or how far.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Pile on many more layers
And I'll be joining you there.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Of yesterday's triumph,
And sail on the steel breeze.
Come on you boy child,
You winner and loser,
Come on you miner for truth and delusion, and shine
On You Crazy Diamond Reprise is a song by Gov't Mule that pays homage to Pink Floyd's iconic Shine On You Crazy Diamond. The first two lines "Nobody knows where you are, how near or how far" suggest the distance between the singer and the crazy diamond figure, who could be a symbol for a former band member. The chorus "Shine on you crazy diamond" is a tribute and a challenge to this absent figure to keep shining despite the distance and difficulties they may be facing.
The following lines, "Pile on many more layers and I'll be joining you there, shine on you crazy diamond" signify that the singer will add layers and complexity to their music in hopes of reuniting with their former bandmate, who they believe may be doing the same. The line "And we'll bask in the shadow of yesterday's triumph" is a reflection of past success that they hope to recapture, while "sail on the steel breeze" suggests a sense of adventure and freedom in their music.
The final lines, "Come on you boy child, you winner and loser, come on you miner for truth and delusion, and shine" can be interpreted as a call for others to join in the pursuit of artistic expression, regardless of success or failures. The miner for truth and delusion represents the struggle to find meaning and inspiration in a creative endeavor, while the challenge to shine despite everything is a reminder to stay true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody knows where you are,
Your current location or state of mind is a mystery to everyone.
How near or how far.
It is unclear whether you are within reach or unreachable.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Keep shining brightly, even if others do not fully understand or appreciate your uniqueness.
Pile on many more layers
Add more depth, complexity, and richness to your personality and experiences.
And I'll be joining you there.
I will follow your lead and explore these deeper dimensions alongside you.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Continue to radiate your inner light and showcase your brilliance.
And we'll bask in the shadow
Together, we will revel in the residual glory and success from our past achievements.
Of yesterday's triumph,
Reflecting on past accomplishments and milestones.
And sail on the steel breeze.
We will move forward, propelled by determination and resilience.
Come on you boy child,
Addressing someone who is young, adventurous, and curious.
You winner and loser,
Acknowledging the highs and lows of life and highlighting the importance of perseverance.
Come on you miner for truth and delusion,
Encouraging the pursuit of both objective reality and subjective imagination.
And shine
Allow yourself to shine, even in the face of uncertainty, adversity, or critique.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David Gilmour, David Jon Gilmour, George Roger Waters, Richard Wright, Roger Waters
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Catherine G
I came across Haynes doing Floyd on my drive home from a Christmas gathering a couple weeks ago. I caught "Wish You Were Here" being done with ease. It was a breath of fresh air. I'm wondering if he's done anything similar lately. The last time I saw him was at the Oakdale in CT m
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Sam Farley
Wow!. Anyone can play the notes, but the tone and the timing...Awesome. This is not a cover: This is a compliment.
Richard Timson
agreed
Dawn Has Broken
Love your comment!
Lori Holman
Think Pink❣ Or is it Memorex?
CSCTAICHI
Great comment, and dead on. They definitely do the music justice.
Rick Farrands
Well said!
Brett Sobkowich
Stunning, beautiful, heartfelt homage to one of the greatest bands ever. Warren has a knack of squeezing more greatness out of greatness.!!! Their are hardly words worthy of the talent displayed by this band..!!
Sam Farley
Well said.
Ric H
Warren has to be one of the Top 5 Guitarists alive today. The man can play anything and make you like his version as much as the original.
Eric Enfield
I agree 100%! Warren is an amazing artist.