High & Mighty (CD - 2006)

Personnel: Warren Haynes (vocals, guitar); Danny Louis (guitar, keyboards, background vocals); Matt Abts (drums, percussion); Gordie Johnson (tambourine, background vocals); Mighty Mighties, Ruthie Foster (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Gordie Johnson.

Recording information: Pedernales Studio, Spicewood, TX; Water Music Recorders, Hoboken, NJ.

Photographer: Danny Clinch.

The second studio album to feature the revamped Gov't Mule lineup, 2006's HIGH & MIGHTY finds the adventurous Southern rock quartet breaking into a confident new stride. As always, vocalist/guitarist Warren Haynes's soulful singing and blistering slide work lead the way, as the rest of the band intuitively fill out his compositions with impressive rhythmic and melodic flourishes. Although the fierce opening track, "Mr. High & Mighty," may have listeners thinking Gov't Mule has morphed into a straight-up hard-rock act, other songs delve into reggae ("Unring the Bell") and gospel-tinged blues ("Million Miles from Yesterday"), revealing that the ensemble remains as eclectic as ever. minimize