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 Pts. 6
Gov't Mule Lyrics
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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
The lyrics of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond Pts. 6" by Gov't Mule are a tribute to the late Syd Barrett, who was an original member of Pink Floyd. The song reflects on the downfall of the musician after he suffered a mental breakdown and left the band. The opening lines "Nobody knows where you are, how near or how far," reflect the sense of loss and confusion that surrounded Barrett's disappearance from the limelight. The refrain "Shine on you crazy diamond" suggests that despite his departure from the music industry, his spirit and influence continue to shine on.
The following lines of the song suggest that the singer is following in Barrett's footsteps. "Pile on many more layers, and I'll be joining you there," indicates that the singer is also struggling with internal demons and may soon be joining Barrett in the realm of the lost and the forgotten. The song acknowledges the difficulty in finding oneself and the challenges of living in a world that often values conformity over creativity.
The closing lines of the song "Come on you boy child, you winner and loser, come on you miner for truth and delusion, and shine," are a call to arms for those who feel like they're struggling in life. The message is clear: even those who feel like they're losing can still shine brightly and make a difference in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody knows where you are,
Your current location and state of being are unknown to everyone.
How near or how far.
It is unclear whether you are physically close or distant from those seeking you.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Continue to be yourself and emit your unique light.
Pile on many more layers
Add additional defenses and walls to protect yourself.
And I'll be joining you there.
I will stand by your side through the layers of defense.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Continue to be yourself and emit your unique light.
And we'll bask in the shadow
Let us revel in the accomplishments and glory of the past.
Of yesterday's triumph,
Reflect on and celebrate the victories of the past.
And sail on the steel breeze.
Continue forward with great momentum and determination.
Come on you boy child,
Addressing a young male, encouraging him to be himself.
You winner and loser,
Regardless of the outcome of your endeavours, you are still worthy and valued.
Come on you miner for truth and delusion,
Pursue both truth and illusion, even if they are in conflict with one another.
And shine.
Continue to be unique and bright in your own way.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: David Jon Gilmour, George Roger Waters, Richard William Wright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind