WARREN HAYNES: Tales Of Ordinary Madness (BLUES): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

In this year 1993, Warren Haynes has already a good reputation by participating in many albums of already established artists (Garth Brooks, Dickey Betts Band, Gregg Allman Band, etc...), but also by being a member of the Derek Trucks Band and especially of the Allman Brothers Band since three opus. Within these formations, he was able to frequent the drummer Matt Abts and the bassist Allen Woody, but this is another story which will take the name of Gov't Mule two years later. In the meantime, the guitarist-singer decides to embark on the adventure of the first solo album for which he surrounds himself with a few big names such as Chuck Leavell (The Rolling Stones, The Allman Brothers Band, etc...) on production and keyboards, Johnny Neel (Derek Trucks Band, The Allman Brothers Band) on keyboards too, Michael Rhodes on bass, and many others.

With such a wide range of talents, the quality is there and the style is obvious. On the other hand, Warren Haynes has rarely had the opportunity to take over the vocals and he will do it here with brio, offering some superb and emotional performances ('I'll Be The One', 'Angel City'). The soli are as bright as ever ('Blue Radio', 'Broken Promised Land') and the interaction of the guitar with the keyboards is also one of the trademarks of this 'Tales Of Ordinary Madness' ('Sister Justice', 'Angel City'). Also noteworthy is the sparkling intervention of Randall Bramblett's saxophone on the groovy and powerful 'Power And The Glory' about the corruption of wealth.

The themes on some of the tracks prove the depth of the reflection of an artist who does not confine himself to the classic disappointed love stories. For example, the syncopated intro 'Fire In The Kitchen' deals with violence in poor neighborhoods, while 'Invisible' deals with homelessness against the back of a jazzy jam with percussion reminiscent of the Allman Brothers Band. Also noteworthy are the angry 'Sister Justice', with its almost hard rock guitar protrusions at times, and the moving ballad 'Broken Promised Land', with its evocative power and the shadow of Bruce Springsteen hovering over it. Alternating between catchy choruses, exciting instrumental jams and luminous solos, each track becomes more and more addictive after each listening. Warren Haynes mixes influences ranging from jazz to hard rock, blues, soul, gospel and southern rock, but without ever cloning the Allman Brothers Band's recipe. He succeeds in dosing all the elements in a personal and bewitching way.

From his first opus, the Ashville native has left his mark on the blues-rock landscape with an imprint that is as imposing as it is personal. "Tales Of Ordinary Madness" will eventually reveal itself as the link between the Allman Brothers Band and Gov't Mule, and it will be 18 years before its author gives him a solo successor. - Official website

WARREN HAYNES

TALES OF ORDINARY MADNESS

MEGAFORCE

BLUES