In-Studio Performance: Warren Haynes

On Tuesday, August 11th, WUMB had the pleasure of hosting the legendary Warren Haynes. Perhaps you know Haynes best as the guitarist for the Allman Brothers Band, maybe you know him as a founding member of Gov't Mule, or you may know him for his solo work. To call his career expansive would be an understatement. Most recently he has teamed of with Railroad Earth to release Ashes & Dust, a record compiled of brand new songs and songs that he wrote twenty years ago but had yet to record.

Regardless of when they were written, each of the songs is deeply personal about real people and real relationships. Hey performed "Spots of Time", Is It Me Or You", "Wanderlust" and "Company Man", all from the new album and their emotional intensity permeated the studio.  "Is It Me Or You" had been kicking around for thirty years and "Wanderlust" is actually about Gram Parsons. They are cathartic for Haynes who believes that "Songwriting is a way to get you out of your own dumps".

Haynes teamed up with Railroad Earth after collaborating with them on stage for years, but they are not the only collaborators on the album. Mickey Raphael, the harmonica player from Willie Nelson's band, plays on the album, along with additions from Shawn Colvin and Grace Potter. Haynes refers to the guest performers as "the icing on the cake" because of the inspiration their fresh energy and perspective brought to the process.

He will can next be seen on Thursday at the Peach Music Festival (founded by the Allman Brothers) in Scranton, PA along with Greg Allman, Santana, Bob Weir with Billy and The Kids, Willie Nelson and Family and more. Then on Saturday, August 15th,  he will be in Lowell as part of the Lowell Summer Music Series. More information on Warren Haynes can be found here.

-Kendall Stewart