Renowned quartet Gov’t Mule – led by GRAMMY® Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, guitar legend, and producer Warren Haynes – has released their new take on the Junior Wells standard “Snatch It Back and Hold It.” On the groovy arrangement, the band covered the classic track while sandwiching a spontaneous original jam called “Hold It Back” in the middle of the soulful, stirring interpretation. The funky rendition is the second track from Gov’t Mule’s forthcoming blues album, Heavy Load Blues, out November 12th via Fantasy Records, which encompasses an even mix of Haynes’ originals and revered covers originally made famous by the likes of Howlin’ Wolf, Elmore James, Ann Peebles, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Tom Waits and the Animals. PRESS HERE to listen to “Snatch It Back and Hold It – Hold It Back – Snatch It Back and Hold It” and PRESS HERE to watch an in-studio video performance.
“We had never played that middle section prior to recording it,” Haynes shares. “While we were working up ‘Snatch It Back,’ we just ran through all the key sections and when we got to the instrumental part, we did a very brief talk through about how it might go. It was virtually a jam, and in that sense, it kind of referenced what we normally do on stage. We get an idea and run with it to see where it winds up. It never turns out exactly like you plan it, which is great, because if it is good, it’s usually better than it would have been had you planned it a certain way.”
Heavy Load Blues is available for pre-order now at all DSPs; each digital pre-save will include an instant download of “Snatch It Back and Hold It – Hold It Back – Snatch It Back and Hold It” and previously released offering, “Heavy Load” – PRESS HERE. Physical CDs and vinyl are also available for pre-order now from the band’s webstore, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and local record stores. A deluxe edition featuring additional studio and live tracks, including another Haynes original and covers originally by Savoy Brown, Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters, Otis Rush and more, will also be available.
Gov’t Mule has also announced their return to The Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA for two very special back-to-back shows during Halloween weekend this October. The band will perform Heavy Load Blues in its entirety for the first time on Friday, October 29th along with other surprises and then on Saturday, October 30th will celebrate the return of their annual Mule-O-Ween show with special guests Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke) and Paul Riddle (Marshall Tucker Band). Gov’t Mule’s previous Mule-O-Ween performances have included sets honoring Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, The Rolling Stones, and Neil Young. Tickets are on sale now. Gov’t Mule will also continue with their 2021 tour dates leading up to the release of Heavy Load Blues offering fans a variety of options to catch the road warriors, including dates on Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival Tour alongside Nelson and The Avett Brothers, headlining shows, and festival appearances. See below for full tour routing and visit www.mule.net for more details.
Though technically considered a studio album, Heavy Load Blues was recorded live in the studio at The Power Station New England on analog tape, utilizing vintage guitars, amps and other equipment to capture an authentic sound. The 13-track album was produced by Haynes alongside engineer and co-producer John Paterno (Michael Landau, Robbie Williams, The Steve Gadd Band). PRESS HERE to watch a behind-the-scenes video of the making of Heavy Load Blues.
Gov’t Mule’s rendition of “Snatch It Back and Hold It” follows the release of “Heavy Load,” the first original track off Heavy Load Blues. The ominous acoustic blues number is highlighted by Haynes’ mournful vocal and supple yet deliberate riffing – PRESS HERE to listen. While several titles on the forthcoming collection may sound familiar to blues enthusiasts, the band – Haynes, Matt Abts [drums], Danny Louis [keyboards, guitar, and backing vocals], and Jorgen Carlsson [bass] – often opted to put its own spin on them. “I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody’s Home,” originally recorded by Ann Peebles, is one of the few songs on the record the band has previously played live. On their version, Haynes’ nimble guitar riffs are played out over a solid foundation of organ and rhythm, resulting in a kind of funk-like finesse. For the Howlin’ Wolf song, “I Asked Her For Water, She Gave Me Gasoline,” Gov’t Mule, who are known for pushing the parameters while melding a variety of genres — rock, R&B, jam, funk, jazz, and practically everything in-between, opted for a heavy, up-tempo and funky version that is a far cry from the original. See below for full track listing.
Coming up later this winter, the band returns to Jewel Paradise Cove Resort in Runaway Bay, Jamaica for Island Exodus 12, the ultimate “concert-cation” experience from January 16-20, 2022. Hosted by Gov’t Mule, who will perform three full two-set shows, and Warren Haynes, offering his unique, interactive “Q and Play” set, a hybrid concert performance and storytelling session, the multi-day experience will also feature intimate beachfront concerts from Dawes and The War and Treaty, who will perform multiple sets, and special guest Ron Holloway, who will present an extended afternoon “Sax On The Beach” set. Attendees arriving early for Exodus Eve on January 15th will see “RoHo” part of Melvin Seals & JGB + Ron Holloway’s “Legion of Melvin” show. Visit islandexodus.com for more info and ticketing details.
Heavy Load Blues Track Listing:
1. Blues Before Sunrise
2. Hole In My Soul
3. Wake Up Dead
4. Love Is A Mean Old World
5. Snatch It Back and Hold It – Hold It Back – Snatch It Back and Hold It
6. Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City
7. (Brother Bill) Last Clean Shirt
8. Make It Rain
9. Heavy Load
10. Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody’s Home
11. If Heartaches Were Nickels
12. I Asked Her For Water (She Gave Me Gasoline)
13. Black Horizon
Deluxe Version – Bonus Tracks:
1. Hiding Place
2. You Know My Love
3. Street Corner Talking
4. Have Mercy On The Criminal
5. Long Distance Call
6. Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody’s Home (Extended Version)
7. Need Your Love So Bad (Live)
8. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl with Hook Herrera (Live)
GOV’T MULE TOUR DATES
*New dates in bold
October 3 – Tampa, FL @ Gasparilla Music Festival
October 15 – Phoenix, AZ @ Ak-Chin Pavilion #
October 16 – Irvine, CA @ FivePoint Amphitheatre #
October 18 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Belasco
October 20 – Napa, CA @ Uptown Theater
October 22 – Placerville, CA @ Hangtown Music Festival
October 23 – Mountainview, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheater #
October 24 – Wheatland, CA @ Toyota Amphitheatre #
October 29 – Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle
October 30 – Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle
January 16-20 – Runaway Bay, Jamaica @ Island Exodus 12
# Outlaw Music Festival
