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,
Tastes Like Wine
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Last night was a world I've never known
Parallel universes in one small room collided
Now the seed is sewn
Time, time, my friend, we've been through so much, it seems
Alone together till the end
And, now, though I find this all so threatening
The gods must be nervous, can't you feel it shaking inside you
World must be trembling like I am
Clouds must be breaking, blood raining down from the heavens
And it feels like gold, tastes like wine
Strength has always been my enemy
Solitude I've known like my own name
People, by now, know what to expect from me
Nothing, and I will do the same
The gods must be nervous, can't you feel it shaking inside you
World must be trembling like I am
Clouds must be breaking, blood raining down from the heavens
And it feels like gold, tastes like wine
The gods must be nervous, can't you feel it shaking inside you
World must be trembling like I am
Clouds must be breaking, blood raining down from the heavens
And it feels like gold, tastes like wine
"Tastes Like Wine" is a song by Gov't Mule that speaks about the aftermath of a night where the singer and another person were alone together. The morning after, the singer is still in disbelief about what happened as it was a world they had never known before. The song likens the experience to parallel universes colliding in one small room. Despite the singer's shock, they acknowledge that they can feel the experience sinking into their skin. The song implies that this experience has awakened something within them, and they can feel a shift in the world around them, with the gods being nervous and the world trembling.
The song highlights the strength and solitude of the singer, which they have known for a while. They seem resigned to a life of nothingness, as this is what people have come to expect of them. However, this experience seems to be shaking things up despite it being threatening. The song's chorus features the repeated line, "The gods must be nervous, can't you feel it shaking inside you/world must be trembling like I am/clouds must be breaking, blood raining down from the heavens/and it feels like gold, tastes like wine." This line suggests that the powerful forces of the universe are at work here.
In conclusion, "Tastes Like Wine" is a complex song that implies a significant shift in the life of the singer. Despite their initial shock, they seem to be embracing the experience and the potential it has brought forth. The lyrics liken the experience to powerful forces at work, and the singers' use of words like threatening suggests that this awakening will come with some intensity.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, are you still here in the morning light
As the morning sun rises, the singer is surprised to find his companion is still with him after the crazy night they just experienced.
Last night was a world I've never known
The singer had an experience unlike any other he has had before.
Parallel universes in one small room collided
It felt like multiple realities were converging in the same space.
Now the seed is sewn
Something profound has been initiated with this experience.
Time, time, my friend, we've been through so much, it seems
The singer reflects on the journey he has had with his friend, and how much they have experienced together.
Alone together till the end
Despite everything, the singer and his friend will be together until the end.
And, now, though I find this all so threatening
Despite the beauty of the experience, the singer is aware of its potential dangers.
I can feel it, sinking into my skin
The effects of the experience are intense and are deeply affecting the singer.
The gods must be nervous, can't you feel it shaking inside you
The singer senses that something monumental is happening, and that even the gods may be anxious about it.
World must be trembling like I am
The singer feels like the entire world is shaking along with him.
Clouds must be breaking, blood raining down from the heavens
The imagery suggests that the experience is so powerful that it could even cause the skies to open up.
And it feels like gold, tastes like wine
Despite the potential danger and chaos, the singer describes the experience as something wondrous and beautiful.
Strength has always been my enemy
The singer has struggled with strength in the past.
Solitude I've known like my own name
The singer is no stranger to being alone.
People, by now, know what to expect from me
The singer has a reputation and people have certain expectations of him.
Nothing, and I will do the same
The singer plans to continue defying expectations.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: WARREN HAYES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind