Gov't Mule - Back In The Saddle
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When Heavy Load Blues was released in late 2021, few realized it was only half of a larger two-album project from Gov’t Mule. Recorded during the same sessions at Power Station New England, Peace…Like a River—the band’s 12th studio album—was completed alongside it and released on June 16, 2023.
While Heavy Load Blues focused on live blues performances, it fit well within the band’s larger body of work and earned a Grammy nomination. The album was conceived during the pandemic, a time when Warren Haynes was experiencing a creative surge, writing nearly 40 new songs. Though the blues record was Stefani Haynes’ idea, Warren proposed recording a rock album at the same time.
To keep the projects distinct, the band recorded in two separate rooms with different equipment and setups. The days were structured with sessions for Peace…Like a River in the larger room, followed by nighttime blues jams. This dual approach helped maintain the unique sound and feel of each record.
Peace…Like a River showcases the band’s range—balancing well-crafted songs with instrumental exploration. Written mostly during lockdown, Haynes focused on universal themes of growth and appreciation rather than pandemic-specific content. The album blends classic rock, soul, and blues influences with modern storytelling.
Key tracks include “Same As It Ever Was,” which sets the thematic tone; “Made My Peace,” inspired by John Lennon and George Harrison; and “Dreaming Out Loud,” built from quotes by civil rights leaders and featuring Ruthie Foster and Ivan Neville. “Just Across the River,” a gospel-influenced duet with Celisse, and guest appearances from Billy F. Gibbons and Billy Bob Thornton add further richness.
The album title emerged naturally, as the words “peace” and “river” appeared repeatedly in the lyrics. Haynes views the record as a tribute to the integrity and depth of 1970s music and hopes listeners might even mistake it for a lost classic from that era. Ultimately, Peace…Like a River reflects the band's mission to create timeless, meaningful music.
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