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,
Spanish Moon
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was the night of the rain, that froze on the ground
Down the street I heard such a sorrowful tune
Comin' from the place they call the Spanish Moon
Well I stepped inside, and slipped by the door
While a dark girl sang, and played the guitar
There was hookers, and hustlers, they filled up the room
I heard about this place they call the Spanish Moon
Poison get you just the same
And if that -- that don't -- kill you soon
The women will down at the Spanish Moon
Well I pawned my watch, and sold my ring
Just to hear that girl singing, yeah, yeah
I don't care who, you can wake up ruined
You can lose it all down at the Spanish Moon
There's whiskey, and bad cocaine
Poison get you just the same
And if that - that don't - kill you soon
The women will down at the Spanish Moon
The lyrics of Gov't Mule's song "Spanish Moon" tell a story about a night in town where the rain was freezing on the ground. There is a sorrowful tune coming from a place called the Spanish Moon. The singer steps inside and hears a dark girl singing and playing the guitar. There are lots of hookers and hustlers in the room, and the singer learns that there is whiskey and bad cocaine there that can poison you and kill you just the same. If that doesn't do it, then the women at the Spanish Moon will surely finish you off.
The song speaks to the dangerous and mysterious allure of nightlife in certain parts of town. The Spanish Moon is a place that is not for the faint of heart, and the singer has sacrificed his possessions just to hear the dark girl sing. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a seedy underworld where danger seems to lurk around every corner. It's a place where people go to escape their troubles, only to find more trouble waiting for them.
Overall, "Spanish Moon" is a cautionary tale about the destructive nature of addiction and the dangers of getting caught up in a world that can easily lead one down a path of ruin.
Line by Line Meaning
Well the night that was high, we got into town
We arrived, high on something, in a town that night
Was the night of the rain, that froze on the ground
It was a rainy night and the water froze on the ground
Down the street I heard such a sorrowful tune
I heard a sad melody coming from a nearby location
Comin' from the place they call the Spanish Moon
The melody was from a place named the Spanish Moon
Well I stepped inside, and slipped by the door
I entered secretly through the door
While a dark girl sang, and played the guitar
A lady with dark skin sang and played the guitar
There was hookers, and hustlers, they filled up the room
Prostitutes and con artists were present and filled the room
I heard about this place they call the Spanish Moon
I had heard of the place before
There's whiskey, and bad cocaine
Alcoholic whiskey and low-quality cocaine are present
Poison get you just the same
The poisonous effects of these substances are the same
And if that -- that don't -- kill you soon
If the substances don't kill you soon,
The women will down at the Spanish Moon
The females present at the Spanish Moon will
Well I pawned my watch, and sold my ring
I had to sell my valuables just to listen to the woman sing
Just to hear that girl singing, yeah, yeah
The sole reason was to enjoy the lady's voice
I don't care who, you can wake up ruined
I don't care who ruins their life, it's their choice
You can lose it all down at the Spanish Moon
Everything can be lost at the Spanish Moon
Writer(s): George Lowell T
Contributed by Colton I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jack Malvern
yet another testimonial to Little Feat and the incredible song writing of Lowell George.. Little Feat truly are musicians and critics favorites and knowledgeable music fans too. Warren's voice is perfect for Spanish Moon.
fabfore4
Gov Mule is without question the best cover band I have ever seen. Also one of the best originals bands I have ever seen!
Lezlie Vachon
hard to disagree with that statement
Rohan Tadas
They are so good, they cover their own original material and it sounds amazing.
What about Bob
Well put.
Michael G
the Radiators are my favorite, but anything that Warren covers turns to gold!
William Flinchum
One of the best solo,s iv,e seen of John. Iv,e been a fan of his since 76, when he played in the George Duke Billy Cobham band!!!
Pádraig Aoibheann
Ah now, this is so good, a classic song.
9cyrus
Awesome cover of Spanish Moon!! No body does like Gov't Mule!!
MrLittlefeat
The Good Old Orpheum Theater ! Best Acoustics in BOSTON !