Warren Haynes: Man in Motion (2011)

Warren Haynes hos got to be one of the busiest men in music today. Between fronting Gov't Mule, playing in the Allman Brothers and the Dead and touring constantly with at least one of the three, there can't be too much spare time to create a solo album but here we are. It would be one thing for Haynes just to release a solo album at all but to release perhaps the best album of his career is a whole different beast. Man in Motion is that beast.

Toning down (but never abandoning) the heavy blues guitar he's best known for to focus on old school soul may seem like an odd move on the surface but it's impossible to argue against the results. With a crack backup band in place -- George Porter Jr. (bass), Ivan Nevelle (organ), Ian McClagan (piano), Raymond Weber (drums), Ron Holloway (saxophone) and Ruthie Foster (backup vocals) -- Man in Motion is full of funky rhythms, tight musicianship that also manages to stretch out to epic proportions and Haynes soulful vocals. Warren's first love was singing not the guitar and his vocals on Man in Motion are his best ever. His voice is filled with passion, soul and aching throughout Man in Motion and when he sings about lost love on the ballads "Your Wildest Dreams" and the piano driven "Save Me" you really feel the pain. Fans of Warren's guitar should not be worried about a lack of blazing solo's either. While the sound of his guitar is much cleaner than his work in Gov't Mule and the Allman's, "Man in Motion," "River's Gonna Rise," "Sick of My Shadow" and "Take a Bullet" all feature extended guitar workouts that are simply beautiful. "On a Real Lonely Night" features a fantastic instrumental call and response between Haynes and Holloway, and "A Friend to You" opens with a great Holloway solo before shifting to a perfect mid-tempo groove.

Man in Motion is not only a fine addition to Warren Haynes' catalog, it just may be the best thing he's ever put down on record. It's still got enough of what fans of Gov't Mule love but is a different feel all together. This is quite simply a beautiful album full of great songs, amazing musicianship and a ton of passion. It's one of the best albums of the year so far.

Rating: 4.5

Track Listing:

1. "Man in Motion" (7:54)
2. "River's Gonna Rise (6:53)
3. "Everyday Will Be Like a Holiday" (5:31)
4. "Sick of My Shadow" (6:59)
5. "Your Wildest Dreams" (7:20)
6. "On a Real Lonely Night" (7:40)
7. "Hattiesburg Hustle" (6:35)
8. "A Friend To You" (5:46)
9. "Take a Bullet" (5:27)
10. "Save Me" (6:16)