Artist: Gov't Mule
Album: The Tel-Star Sessions
Bitrate: 256kbps avg
Quality: EAC Secure Mode / LAME 3.98.4 / -V0 / 44.100Khz
Label: Mascot Records
Genre: Rock
Size: 118.33 megs
PlayTime: 1h 01min 23sec total
Rip Date: 2016-08-05
Store Date: 2016-08-05

Track List:
--------
01. Blind Man In The Dark            6:49
02. Rocking Horse                    4:31
03. Monkey Hill                      4:31
04. Mr. Big                          6:17
05. The Same Thing                   7:13
06. Mother Earth                     7:00
07. Just Got Paid                    4:22
08. Left Coast Groovies              6:39
09. World Of Difference              7:18
10. World Of Difference              6:43
    (Alternative Version/Original
    Mix)

Release Notes:
--------

The worst thing one can say about Gov't Mule's Tel-Star Sessions is that you
already know what the album sounds like; that's also the very best thing. No
matter how many musical paths guitarist Warren Haynes and drummer Matt Abts have
traveled since the death of bassist Allen Woody in 2000, these 1994 demo
recordings with engineer Bud Snyder at Bradenton, Florida's Tel-Star Studios
represent what they single-handedly pulled off in grand style from the very
beginning: Reinvigorating the classic blues-rock power trio α la Cream,
Mountain, Hot Tuna, ZZ Top, and Taste. Since joining the Allman Brothers Band in
1989, Woody and Haynes had lamented the dearth of the trio form's rawness,
creative energy, and a lack of the "rock bass sound" in modern music. Haynes had
worked with drummer Abts in Dickey Betts' band through 1988, and they recruited
him. Gov't Mule was originally a "project" with no clear goal other than that of
exploration. They learned how to interact through covers and originals, and
worked up a repertoire to play live. Seven of these demos -- including covers of
Free's "Mr. Big" and Memphis Slim's "Mother Earth" -- were re-recorded for the
band's self-titled debut. "Blind Man in the Dark" appeared on Dose. Two more
covers -- ZZ Top's "Just Got Paid" and Willie Dixon's "The Same Thing" -- are
unique to this release. Put together, they showcase a band not only finding its
way, but grasping how much remains possible in this stripped-down form.

This set is also a stunning tribute to Woody's genius. When considering the
blues-rock bass, one has to consider the innovations made by Jack Bruce. Woody
was certainly influenced by him (especially when it came to using jazz), but his
phrasing, timing, and groove were his own. He melded melody and rhythm, jazz,
blues, rock, and funk in a manner that made his instrument as much a solo
vehicle as Hayne's guitar playing. Check the way he stitches them all together
on the Dixon tune, adding a nasty funkiness emulated by players ever since. The
improvisational balance in the knotty riff on "Left Coast Groovies" pushes
Haynes' solo break to find a terrain not already covered by his monstrous,
melodic bassline. The turnarounds on Memphis Slim's "Mother Earth" are so
massive, filthy, and rock-solid that Abts gets room to syncopate -- on a 12-bar
blues! -- while Haynes discovers layers of lyrical depth under the original
tune. As a band, this trio could fill every inch of space and not overplay.
Check the way psych, rock, and blues entwine on "Blind Man in the Dark," and --
in both versions -- "World of Difference"'s harmony and rhythm are imbued with
expansive southern soul and fluid Hendrix-ian psychedelia. Despite the fact that
only two of these tunes are "new," the Tel-Star Sessions are among Gov't Mule's
most essential recorded documents. The power and musicality on display here
rival anything they've released.



This NFO File was rendered by NFOmation.net

Artist: Gov't Mule
Album: The Tel-Star Sessions
Bitrate: 256kbps avg
Quality: EAC Secure Mode / LAME 3.98.4 / -V0 / 44.100Khz
Label: Mascot Records
Genre: Rock
Size: 118.33 megs
PlayTime: 1h 01min 23sec total
Rip Date: 2016-08-05
Store Date: 2016-08-05

Track List:
--------
01. Blind Man In The Dark            6:49
02. Rocking Horse                    4:31
03. Monkey Hill                      4:31
04. Mr. Big                          6:17
05. The Same Thing                   7:13
06. Mother Earth                     7:00
07. Just Got Paid                    4:22
08. Left Coast Groovies              6:39
09. World Of Difference              7:18
10. World Of Difference              6:43
    (Alternative Version/Original
    Mix)

Release Notes:
--------

The worst thing one can say about Gov't Mule's Tel-Star Sessions is that you
already know what the album sounds like; that's also the very best thing. No
matter how many musical paths guitarist Warren Haynes and drummer Matt Abts have
traveled since the death of bassist Allen Woody in 2000, these 1994 demo
recordings with engineer Bud Snyder at Bradenton, Florida's Tel-Star Studios
represent what they single-handedly pulled off in grand style from the very
beginning: Reinvigorating the classic blues-rock power trio à la Cream,
Mountain, Hot Tuna, ZZ Top, and Taste. Since joining the Allman Brothers Band in
1989, Woody and Haynes had lamented the dearth of the trio form's rawness,
creative energy, and a lack of the "rock bass sound" in modern music. Haynes had
worked with drummer Abts in Dickey Betts' band through 1988, and they recruited
him. Gov't Mule was originally a "project" with no clear goal other than that of
exploration. They learned how to interact through covers and originals, and
worked up a repertoire to play live. Seven of these demos -- including covers of
Free's "Mr. Big" and Memphis Slim's "Mother Earth" -- were re-recorded for the
band's self-titled debut. "Blind Man in the Dark" appeared on Dose. Two more
covers -- ZZ Top's "Just Got Paid" and Willie Dixon's "The Same Thing" -- are
unique to this release. Put together, they showcase a band not only finding its
way, but grasping how much remains possible in this stripped-down form.

This set is also a stunning tribute to Woody's genius. When considering the
blues-rock bass, one has to consider the innovations made by Jack Bruce. Woody
was certainly influenced by him (especially when it came to using jazz), but his
phrasing, timing, and groove were his own. He melded melody and rhythm, jazz,
blues, rock, and funk in a manner that made his instrument as much a solo
vehicle as Hayne's guitar playing. Check the way he stitches them all together
on the Dixon tune, adding a nasty funkiness emulated by players ever since. The
improvisational balance in the knotty riff on "Left Coast Groovies" pushes
Haynes' solo break to find a terrain not already covered by his monstrous,
melodic bassline. The turnarounds on Memphis Slim's "Mother Earth" are so
massive, filthy, and rock-solid that Abts gets room to syncopate -- on a 12-bar
blues! -- while Haynes discovers layers of lyrical depth under the original
tune. As a band, this trio could fill every inch of space and not overplay.
Check the way psych, rock, and blues entwine on "Blind Man in the Dark," and --
in both versions -- "World of Difference"'s harmony and rhythm are imbued with
expansive southern soul and fluid Hendrix-ian psychedelia. Despite the fact that
only two of these tunes are "new," the Tel-Star Sessions are among Gov't Mule's
most essential recorded documents. The power and musicality on display here
rival anything they've released.



This NFO File was rendered by NFOmation.net