Warren Haynes
Live At Bonnaroo

Class is not water, that's for sure. And it's even more so when we talk about Warren Haynes. A phenomenal guitarist and singer blessed with a spine-tingling voice, he revived the fortunes of the Allman Brothers Band and the reborn The Dead with his skill and technical abilities. All this without forgetting that our hero is also the leader of one of the greatest southern rock jam bands around: the phenomenal Gov't Mule. In short, a musician everyone would like to play with. A true free spirit in a music scene increasingly dominated by business where there's no more room for good old passion. Passion that burns deep in the soul of Warren, who never misses a chance to pick up his guitar and play with anyone around him. We are facing an eclectic artist, technically very gifted and outside any usual scheme.

Proof of this is this live album recorded during the 2004 edition of Bonnaroo; a festival where Warren feels at home. But on this occasion, he goes on stage not in the evening, as a headliner, with the Mule or with the other bands he usually plays with, but in the middle of the day and completely alone. In the past, he had organized solo concerts, but in very different places. Here we see him stepping up at half-past noon, under a blazing sun, on the main stage of the festival, in front of 80,000 people completely alone with only his acoustic guitar. Certainly, a man who loves intense emotions, good Warren. At first, you might think it's a joke or a commercial move to sell a few more records, but as soon as he starts playing, we immediately understand the reason for this album. Simple and pure love for music, like you don't find in other musicians.

The opening is reserved for a somewhat unusual cover for the guitarist; it's "Lucky" by Radiohead. I must say the song really suits Warren's deep voice that manages to infuse the piece with goosebump-inducing emotional pathos. The audience still seems surprised by the musician's almost unexpected appearance, but the second song is enough to win them over. Warren kicks off "Patchwork Quilt", one of his most beautiful pieces, written in memory of Jerry Garcia, always a source of inspiration for the guitarist. A very heartfelt version that, thanks to the acoustic guitar, takes on even greater charm. Then we move from a song dedicated to the former leader of the Dead to a Dead song itself, "To Lay Me Down" to demonstrate the great love he has for this group. He then decides to pay tribute to Ray Sisk, his friend, and great songwriter, with "Glory Road". A crystalline acoustic ballad where Warren's voice takes over for a truly splendid interpretation. Already appeared on his solo EP "The Lone EP"; "The Real Thing" reconfirms itself as a piece of great depth with fine craftsmanship on the acoustic. The first surprise of this acoustic set, however, is "One". Yes, the very famous song by U2, which, played here acoustically with Warren's deep voice, is even more beautiful than the original version by the Irish group. You can feel how much he loves the music he makes, living intense emotions with every note played and every word sung. Certainly, Gov't Mule pieces couldn't be missing; and here comes "In My Life", a splendid ballad that closed the Mules' "Life Before Insanity". "I'll Be The One" instead is taken from Warren's first solo album and in acoustic version turns out even more beautiful than the one on the record. The audience seems to enjoy it very much, shouting and cheering, which he decides to reward by giving them another Mule piece: "Fallen Down". I loved the version on Gov't Mule's album (always "Life Before Insanity"), but I must say that acoustically the song is even more beautiful. Written for the occasion is "Forevermore", another chilling ballad, ideal ground for Haynes' wonderful voice. "Beautifully Broken" is perhaps one of the most famous songs from the new course of Haynes' group, and again the acoustic version far surpasses the already stunning studio one.

Warren in a solo version shows all his energy and great inspiration, making us emotional every second more and more. "I've Got Dreams To Remember", a cover of a famous Otis Redding piece, sees the guitarist pick up the electric, but the result doesn't change. Also taken from "Life Before Insanity" is "Tastes Like Wine", another ballad rich in pathos. From this moment on, there will be three gems that make the audience explode in a sea of applause. The first is the cover of a famous Eagles song "Wasted time," truly wonderful thanks to Haynes' care. "Stella Blue" is also stunning, perhaps one of the most beautiful pieces Garcia ever wrote for his Dead, where Warren sings and plays with his heart in his hands in homage to his great teacher. Finally, concluding this magnificent concert, we find the true gem. Warren calls a guest on stage; it's Vusi Mahlasela; an extraordinary African singer blessed with a spine-tingling voice. The two duet on the most beautiful song ever written by the guitarist; "Soulshine". The version on the album is tear-inducing. The acoustic guitar weaves the melodic theme while the two voices alternate and intersect almost perfectly. After nearly seven minutes of pure magic, good Haynes bids farewell and leaves in a deluge of applause and shouts.

In short, a record of crystalline beauty, like none around, that testifies to Warren's passion and great love for music. A round of applause to him for the emotions he was able to give us. There should be more musicians like Warren Haynes. Magnificent!!!!!!!!