Jazz Articles

Gov't Mule: Life Before Insanity

by Rob Evanoff
June 1, 2000

The Mule has plenty of Fuel. Want to whip up a batch of Gov’t Mule stew? Mix up a pot full of ZZTop, Allman Bros, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Co., The Doors & Mountain and douse with a generous splash of whiskey-soaked vocals. Take this potent concoction and let it smoke for about 3 hours on a stark stage while the ingredients, due to combustible properties, simmer to a boil and ultimately melt your insides.

The Mule went to School. The ...

Galactic: Nothin' Coolin' Off

by Ed Kopp
August 1, 1999

Galactic is a New Orleans jazz-funk unit that transports us back to the '70s, the decade when jazz-funk was at its zenith. This band owes a great deal to the Meters, the seminal New Orleans funk outfit that was always more popular with the critics than the public. The fact that Galactic is able to emulate the sound of New Orleans' finest funkifiers is itself a worthy achievement. But this group actually extends that sound, bringing in subtle touches of ...

Gov: Live... With A Little Help From Our Friends

by C. Michael Bailey
July 1, 1999

Fringes of Jazz. This disc warrants a few words among these electrons for no other reason than it covers Mongo Santamaria’s “Afro-Blue”. But this is not the only reason. Gov’t Mule (comprised of Allman Brothers Warren Haynes and Allen Woody with the addition of drummer Matt Abts) carries on a tradition that was begun by the Allman Brothers, one involving music deep-fried in the blues, characterized by lengthy, often excessive, improvisational jams, and often resembling jazz gumbo. Musicians and critics ...

Chuck Leavell: What In That Bag?

by Ed Kopp
December 1, 1998

When the Rolling Stones decide to take their act on the road every other year or so, they usually turn to Chuck Leavell for support on piano. Leavell is an incredibly versatile keyboardist, capable of playing rock, blues, R&B, jazz, fusion--you name it. The Georgia-based piano whiz tackles all of those styles and more on What's In That Bag, the most eclectic Christmas release of the season.This CD started out as a gift to Leavell's friends and family ...

Galactic: Coolin' Off

by Ed Kopp
September 1, 1998

Galactic is a New Orleans jazz-funk unit that transports us back to the '70s, the decade when jazz-funk was at its zenith. This band owes a great deal to the Meters, the seminal New Orleans funk outfit that was always more popular with critics than the public. The fact that Galactic is able to emulate the sound of New Orleans' finest funkifiers is itself a worthy achievement. But this group actually extends that sound, bringing in subtle touches of jazz ...